NCJ Number
210468
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 32 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2005 Pages: 10,12,14,16-17,18
Date Published
June 2005
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes teleforensics technology and its benefits for law enforcement.
Abstract
Teleforensics is a technology that enables pictures to be taken of crime scenes and shared remotely with others. This type of technology is important for law enforcement because it reduces possible contamination at crime scenes. Teleforensics devices allow crime scene investigators to photograph all areas of a crime scene and share the photographs instantly with other investigators, keeping the crime scene as free as possible from human contamination. An early pilot teleforensics project undertaken in El Paso in 1999 is described. The project involved the police use of the technology at homicide sites and was considered a success. The various teleforensics technology options are described and include high end options, such as mobile TV stations that sell for $500,000 and up, as well as lower cost options for law enforcement agencies with thin budgets. The simplest and least expensive option is described as a camera cell phone that sells for about $100. In addition to improving how the technology can transmit crime scene images, developers are also exploring ways of making crime scene data analysis more efficient in order to give investigators critical information as soon as possible. One prediction is that within the next 10 years, DNA analysis will be completed at the crime scene and instantly transmitted to databases for comparisons. Exhibits