Ashley Fortin
Everest University- Introduction to Criminal Justice
Law enforcement officers are engaging in new technologies in order to better assist the community. Our world is evolving and moving rapidly into a technology based civilization, we rely on technology for almost everything we do these days. It only makes sense that our officers utilize the technologies that will help them conduct better investigations, and also keep themselves safer as well. Technology has come so far in law enforcement, in 1964 the only city that had a police computer system, was St. Louis. (Siegel & Worrall, 2010) There are so many technological advances that it is becoming increasingly easier to apprehend …show more content…
Thermal imaging detects body heat and shows heat sources by showing heat rays that are invisible to the eye. A thermal imager is a device that detects radiation in the infrared spectrum and is used in law enforcement to detect variations in temperature. (Siegel & Worrall, 2010) Criminals play a game of hide and seek when they are on the run, and it is very difficult to find someone on the run especially if they don’t want to be found. Thermal imaging has helped detectives and investigators find not only criminals, but missing persons, and remains as well. By using a thermal imager, and officer can monitor up to 1500 feet or more in any direction, and he can remain unseen while doing so. The TI will detect overturned earth because that area of the earth will absorb and release heat differently than the surrounding areas. Every object absorbs and releases differently, so some training will be necessary to understand the images that you see. (Harvey, 2006) This procedure also has minimal disadvantages and setbacks. The only ones that I found was training- requires some training to interpret, it’s expensive- the prices start at about $2,000.00, they are large and heavy, and it also has long startup/ warm up time. …show more content…
Retrieved from www.opticsplanet.com/thermal-imagingvs-night-vision/html
Barnes, P. (2010). HDS Benefits Crime Scene Investigations . Retrieved from goarticles.com/article/High-Defintion-Surveying-Benefits-Crime-Scene-Investigations/2645044
Harvey, B. (2006). Top Ten Uses for Thermal Imaging in Law Enforcement. Retrieved from http://www.bullard.com/V3/products/thermal_imaging/law_enforcement/training/articles/0002.php
Siegel, L., & Worrall, J. (2010). Introduction to Criminal Justice . Belmont : Wadsworth.
Spraggs, D. (2004). The Next Dimension: Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators are Using 3D Technology to Bring Crime Scenes to Life. Retrieved from