Technology in Criminal justice
There are multiple challenges facing law enforcement agencies in investigating exploitation, cyber stalking and obscenity. Some of them include: lack of adequate funding, overlapping effort, overlapping jurisdiction and priority. However, great emphasis should be placed on the greatest challenge that is facing these agencies as they fight these internet exploitation, cyber stalking and obscenity. I strongly belief that issues relating to evidence and detection is the greatest challenges facing the agencies (Taylor, Fritsch, & Liederbach, 2010). This is because data or any information stored in a computer can easily be deleted hence making it difficult to act as evidence. It is also possible to modify or destroy any such information. In most law related cases, the ability to provide evidence is very crucial. Therefore, agencies are expected to collect, preserve and examine computer data immediately. In most cases cyber crime investigation do not even provide a 24 hour timeline, while even a few hours of investigation can seem to be too late for quality evidence. As a possible solution to this great challenge on evidence, agencies are required to have special tools during their investigations. These special tools can assist in providing access on any data available in a mass storage, including deleted files and data stored in unallocated drives. Although agencies may be bound by search and seizures laws, they should seek a warranty to ensure they conduct a thorough search to gather and review proper evidence.
Overlapping jurisdiction is another common challenge facing the criminal justice system in several areas. Overlapping exists when more than one state exercise jurisdiction at the same time. In overlapping jurisdiction state territory does not hinder another from exercising its mandate on a specified law. The citizens of states who are under an overlapping jurisdiction have the right to choose the court in which the action is to be filled (Chen, 2003). During the implementation of the laws under overlapping jurisdiction, there are multiple challenges that do exist. The most common of these challenges is the possibility of an over or under production of required public goods. The two states may not work hand in hand to ensure adequate resources and monitoring in provided at all times. In most cases overlapping related problems are as a result of providing similar public goods and concentrating on a similar field which result to market failure or even increased crime. The one way that overlapping jurisdiction can function well to achieve success is when there is some element of completion among the states. Competition will ensure any gap created or failure of one state is filled by the other with an aim of expanding its mandate.
Overlapping jurisdiction can work best in solving cyber crimes. States should work together is solving the increasing rates of cyber crimes in both developed and developing countries. Encouraging unity in fighting cyber crime will mean that it will be possible top fight it in a rapid speed since through analysis can be done from both ends, the sending and receiving end in cases where information can be hacked in either side. Cyber crime is also most common in banks, cyber café’s and in personal data, therefore ensuring all states work in harmony to reduce cyber crimes it will be easily to reach a wide number of persons irrespective of their location. For many years, companies and individuals have been afraid of victimization when they disclose cyber crimes. The constant protection of personal image has been widely spread to the extent that it has made it possible to cover up several cyber crimes. However, by ensuring that all states understand the seriousness of cyber crime will make it possible to encourage more companies and individuals to open up to the public, the media and even to the government regarding possible cyber crimes (Frey & Reiner, 1999).
References
Frey, S. & Reiner, E. (1999) The New Democratic Federalism for Europe – Functional, Overlapping and Competing Jurisdictions: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited, Cheltenham
Chen, J. (2003) The role of International institutions in Globalization: Edward Edgar
Taylor, R. Fritsch, E & Liederbach, J. (2010). Digital Crime, Digital Terrosism, 2/E: Prentice Hall