Crime is one of the main things that plague society in terms of human-to-human interaction. Even worse, the ways to commit it are only growing. The problem with modern technology crime is that people don’t deem it serious if no one was physically hurt or it wasn’t visible. In reality, people could lose millions digitally in the blink of an eye. They could also be shamed, threatened, stalked, and blackmailed, and never report the crime. But whether it’s the type that’s been committed for centuries, decades, or only the last few years, we can all agree it should be eliminated.
Here’s how technology prevents crime
Technology plays a significant role in preventing crime by providing tools for surveillance, detection, and data analysis. For example, CCTV cameras and advanced analytics can deter criminal activity by increasing the risk of identification and capture. Furthermore, predictive policing uses big data to identify potential crime hotspots, enabling law enforcement to intervene proactively.
1. Prediction
Here are 3 areas where technology predicts crime before it happens:
Mapping
Remote sensing, data mapping applications, and geographic information systems are mapping technologies that use AI (Artificial Intelligence) and machine learning. They analyze real-time information from multiple sources – weather reports, social media feeds, public transit maps, CCTV, satellites, etc. Afterward, they draw up crime hotspots and point out patterns of activity. This is particularly useful for organized crime that relies on a routine or geographical location.
For example, gangs, human trafficking, drug smuggling, illegal weapons import, etc. Simultaneously, it helps daily police work and emergency response.
Threat estimation
AI technologies excel at analyzing massive amounts of data and spitting out results, which is perfect for threat assessment. In practice, this was proven by the police stations in Durham, England. Their AI-assisted tool, Harm Assessment Risk, ingested data collected from the Durham Constabulary between 2008 and 2012. It was then able to forecast the risk of future intervention and correctly predicted low-risk engagement 98% of the time.
Additionally, it could determine whether they should release a suspect on bail or keep him incarcerated. This can erase human errors that lead to suspects hiding, fleeing, taking hostages, or even killing someone. Additionally, eye detection software and motion sensors can estimate the perpetrators’ physical and psychological state, help detect lying, and gauge if the individual is prone to violent outbursts.
Encryption, privacy, security online
We examined these areas of digital and online protection under benefit 8 of our “how technology keeps us safe” article. Technically, they’re a double-edged sword, since they also allow criminals to remain incognito and avoid persecution.
2. Surveillance
We discussed surveillance technology in the aforementioned article under benefits 6 and 7. What we didn’t mention are self-flying gliders, which only need a little power to take off. Then, they remain in the air through the power of the wind, and some can even draw power from the sunlight.
Moreover, researchers from the University of California San Diego equipped an onboard computer that controls the glider remotely. This isn’t new, but due to price and secrecy, it only had a military application. We predict that long-distance cameras, combined with self-sufficient gliders will start stopping crime commercially soon.
3. Identification
Everyone should know that their location and identity can be tracked via SIM cards and GPS technology, and we can thank smart devices and Internet connections for that. But technology helps identify criminals like this too:
Anonymous crime reporting
One of the most valuable ways technology prevents crime is human resources. Police can’t be everywhere, and neither can technology, but people are. And, they should be able to disclose suspicious behavior. But most of them are scared of being framed by police or attacked by the suspect.
Although anonymous tips could be submitted for decades, they had to come from a landline, letter, or payphone, which beats the point. Luckily, nowadays you can use a VPN or call anonymously. Some countries offer crime-reporting apps, which use encryption and have a built-in proxy service.
Facial recognition and biometrics
Authorities can acquire biometrics from a driver’s license or ID. Examples include a signature (used to match handwriting), front, side, and back pictures, and a fingerprint. Smartphone and computer users who use biometrics to unlock their devices via IR 3D scan of the face, iris scan, or fingerprint sensor, volunteer their data too. Mass surveillance projects can then utilize biometrics to locate and identify people based on their physical characteristics.
Digital trace
Even with everything mentioned above, criminals still slip away from the tight grip of the law. Well, whether they like it or not, we all leave hundreds of digital traces of our activity daily. When trained correctly, AI and machine learning can connect those dots, no matter how small or seemingly irrelevant they are, and identify the individual based on their behavior.
4. Intervention
Police officers and military personnel are injured or killed in the line of duty daily. And while nothing can stop a perpetrator from sitting in an ambush, technology can prevent him from causing damage. Dubai already implemented robot police officers.
Actually, they plan to make them 25% of the total police force by 2050. For now, they allow citizens to pay fines or report crimes. We believe that technology advancements can help introduce robots that allow police officers to act from a distance, and soon.
This would allow them to safely approach, negotiate with, or apprehend the suspect. After all, robots can already detect and dismantle bombs. Another significant aspect is mandatory body-worn cameras. They have a proven track record (crime reduction and low complaints percentages) since they improve accountability on both sides.
5. Criminal Justice
Here are 2 technologies that have revolutionized criminal investigations:
DNA
Although primarily used to solve crimes, DNA technology prevents crime too. According to 2017 research, violent offenders with a known DNA profile are 17% less likely to re-offend. Property lawbreakers had a 6% less chance to repeat an offense. Best of all, the development of rapid DNA machines reduces the need for laboratories, employees, and infrastructure, and makes expanding and interconnecting DNA databases cheaper.
Crime scene
3D laser technology prevents crime by analyzing previous ones. Instead of taking pictures and using pen and paper, 3D technology essentially “freezes” a crime scene in time. It does this by scanning the area in all directions (360°) and rendering it in 3D with incredible accuracy. Authorities can then import and examine the render via VR (Virtual Reality) or AR (Augmented Reality) technology. This also eliminates paperwork, inadmissible evidence, or human errors.
Technologies that help with crime prevention
A crime is an act that goes against the law and is punishable by an authority. But this is an oversimplification. Today, modern crime has no universally accepted definition. We have evolved over the years, and so has crime. That is why we have to find ways to create a safer society. And one way to do that is by preventing crimes from happening in the first place. But how?
It is where technological advancements come into play. If we take data analysis as an example, we can have what the experts call Predictive Policing. It is a discipline that deals with crime prevention using data analytics. It is not something new, as the reliance on statistics and automated mapping, commonly known as CompStat, has been a widespread practice since it was first adopted by the NYPD in 1995.
Below, we will find some technologies that have become an integral part of crime prevention and a video talking about the use of AI that has already started making a name for itself.
1. CCTV
We have already made headway with the use of CCTV as a tool for preventing crime. It is an optimal monitoring device that can be installed in key areas for a comprehensive lookout. It is already making street crimes scarce and also helps with investigations if need be.
2. Facial Recognition
Facial recognition is a tool that allows policing agencies to detect a person’s face. It is a modified version of the license plate recognition technology that has been in use for a long time. Facial recognition is also used in strategically important locations, such as an airport, to identify potential suspicious elements. Although the tech is not new, coupled with AI and machine learning, it has shown great potential in recent years.
3. Virtual Reality Training
Recently, law enforcement agencies have begun using virtual reality for training. Although the use of VR for training isn’t something new, it was mostly used for military purposes or as a flight simulator. However, police forces around the world have started accessing this tech to provide a safe and immersive environment for their cadets to learn and experience monumental events. It not only saves resources but also allows for a much more comprehensive experience.
4. Artificial Intelligence
Yes, we can never not mention AI, if we are talking about the modern approach to crime prevention. As the amount of data we generate increases, the ability of AI, to comb through the data to find something meaningful also becomes equally important, especially in fields like crime prevention, where the key aspect of any task is to act on critical information.
AI can also use the data to create a model that can predict similar events and study crime statistics to point out methods that can be effective when countering them.
5. Drones
And lastly, we have drones that have proven themselves super useful in the field. With drones, we can actively monitor an area and even aid in tasks such as crime scene investigation, search and rescue, and first response. These drones can also be outfitted with 3D mapping technology, thermal imaging software, or even a GPS and a camera for providing real-time intelligence in high-risk situations.
Given below is a comprehensive table, detailing crime prevention technologies and their impact.
| Technology | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| CCTV | High-resolution cameras that are installed in key places. | Helps with monitoring an area and demotivates someone from committing a crime. |
| Data Analysis | The process of collecting, complaining, and analyzing data | It is used to not only predict a crime but also help with the investigation. |
| Facial Recognition | Hardware and software that, together, can remember and identify a face | Very useful in crowd monitoring and identifying suspects. |
| Drones | An unmanned aerial vehicle that can be installed with different technologies | Primarily used for monitoring and surveillance. |
| AI | An intelligent technology that can use data analytics to predict upcoming scenarios | Can be used for predictions, creating a comprehensive action plan, or even suspect profiling. |