NCJ Number
176792
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 66 Issue: 2 Dated: February 1999 Pages: 17-18-27
Date Published
1999
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Explosive growth in the use of computers and electronic networks such as the Internet poses a difficult and rapidly expanding challenge for all levels of law enforcement.
Abstract
Police investigators are daily confronted with new investigative and evidentiary issues that demand a high level of technical knowledge and skill, particularly because computer technology overtakes itself with a new generation about once every 3 years. In addition, increasingly sophisticated and computer-literate criminals employ new technologies virtually as soon as they appear. Working in partnership with Federal, State, local, and international law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Department of Justice has developed the National Cybercrime Training Partnership (NCTP). The NCTP aims to work with all levels of law enforcement to develop and promote a long-range strategy for high-tech police work in the 21st century, to inprove public and political understanding of technology problems and solutions, and to ensure that technology solutions are fully implemented. The dollar cost of electronic crime is estimated to be as high as $10 billion a year, but cost is not the only consideration. A single high-tech crime can generate multiple traditional offenses; for example, hate crimes are now penetrating the Internet. The scope and impact of common electronic crimes are described and the effect of these crimes on law enforcement agencies is discussed. The need to formulate an effective law enforcement response to electronic crimes, to prioritize training needs, and to leverage existing resources is emphasized.