NCJ Number
118216
Date Published
1989
Length
134 pages
Annotation
Law enforcement faces new challenges as it seeks to strengthen capabilities for investigating and prosecuting computer crime into the 1990's.
Abstract
The increasing use of computers has proliferated traditional crimes of theft, such as embezzlement and fraud, and more recent crimes by drug traffickers, prostitution rings, child pornographers, and pedophiles who use computers to facilitate their illicit operations. As computer-related crime grows, State and county prosecutors face an increasing demand for prosecution strategies and technical expertise. The experience of criminal justice agencies now responding to the challenge of computer-related crime demonstrates the importance of developing investigation and prosecution strategies before major cases are presented. An examination of computer-related crime at four sites in Arizona, Colorado, Ohio, and Pennsylvania considers the impact of computer-related crime, existing investigation and prosecution practices and procedures, and issues affecting investigation and prosecution. Appendixes provide additional information on computer crime and law enforcement's role, law schools offering courses in computer law, and U.S. Secret Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation field offices. 86 references, 39 endnotes, and 1 table