21st century criminal id procedure

Running head : CRIME AND BIOMETRIC TECHNOLOGIES

Criminal Justice and Biometric Technologies Name University

Abstract

Identifying suspects is the first step solving crimes , but the pursuit of justice is often fraught with crime control versus due process considerations . An arrest must be supported by reliable evidence , and crime scene investigation today relies technology to analyze the evidence left behind to provide clues to the identity of a perpetrator This essay provides a brief overview of biometric technologies including its advantages and disadvantages in identifying criminals for prosecution

Criminal Justice and

Biometric Technologies

Introduction

The fascination with crime scene investigations and forensic technologies is strictly a 21st century phenomenon . There is a myriad of television series that deal with fictitious and real criminal cases that are solved with the use of technology in reconstructing the crime and identifying the commissioner of a crime

In the US , a suspect is considered innocent until proven guilty , but prior to any prosecutorial procedure , there must be evidence to support the arrest of a person in connection with a crime . In to get to this point , criminal investigators must keep in mind that the rights of an individual is an important aspect to consider . Two models of law enforcement are considered in this pursuit , namely the crime control model and the due process model . This essay will describe some of the technologies currently being used in criminal investigations that are geared towards maximizing the advantages of both models and minimizing their adverse aspects

Crime control versus due process

Law enforcement agencies are subject to popular opinion like any other government body , and there is considerable controversy over how crime should be managed in the best possible way . A strict adherence to either model is usually not possible because of the many variables to be considered in the American justice system (Perron , 2002

The crime control model as described by Herbert Packer emphasizes the aggressive law enforcement and social maintenance through swift arrest , prosecution and conviction of criminal elements . The due process model , on the other hand , prioritizes the rights of the individual from wrongful arrest , prosecution and arrest (Perron , 2002

The advantage of the crime control is that it is aggressive , and therefore would-be criminals would think twice before presenting even the suggestion of guilt , because retribution will almost certainly befall them . The problem is such aggressiveness makes it sometimes necessary to ignore the rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights of the suspicious character during interrogation , arrest or prosecution resulting in moral , social or even physical damage to what could turn out to be completely innocent person

Due process is much more circumspect in its execution , ascertaining facts before any for arrest or interrogation is given for any individual . However , in some instances , such circumspection can indefinitely delay any active criminal inquiry even when circumstantial evidence abounds , leaving criminals free to continue their activities Some even get away with murder when due process is strictly followed which in effect violates the rights...