Introduction
Security is an issue of major concern to society. Increased cases of insecurity the world over have motivated creativity in crime prevention. CCTV and Biometric technology are some of the innovative applications in crime prevention technology in use today. In spite of the popularity of these technologies, there has been concern over their effectiveness as well as ethical issues due to their use. Fingerprints are the most common form of a biometric tool of identification. Improvement in DNA technology has enabled the use of biometrics. The paper reviews the effectiveness of the technologies and addresses ethical issues involved in the use of CCTV, fingerprints, and DNA in Crime prevention.
Effectiveness of CCTV
Argument for
Closed Circuit Television plays a significant role in managing security. It is a wonderful supplement to the police in the fight against crime. It is able to spot crime, identify criminals and other lawbreakers and help to convict offenders. There is evidence to support the use of Closed-circuit television work in crime prevention (Hempel & Topfer 2002, p. 103). Knowing that a CCTV system is installed in a certain area or building, criminals would not dare to commit their criminal activities since by doing so they would be risking to be identified. In case of criminal risks committing criminal activities, the CCTV system would record such a crime, making it possible to identify the offenders (European Commission of Democracy through Law 2008, par. 9). The system makes the work of law enforcement quite easy. With the CCTV system, the police can be able to deal with criminal activities more easily.
The effectiveness of security tools of a CCTV system is very vital. CCTV is considered a successful and efficient tool for reducing crime within specified areas. Various institutions, researchers in social science and some government agencies approve of the new technology. Various studies carried out reveal that the system is effective and at times, a favourable solution. The system has preventive and reactive measures that assist in reducing cases of crime. The system can increase the efficiency of the police on their duty, protect the public and private environment, build social cohesion, and boost a feeling of safety and security. Consequently, this leads to a more stable and orderly society.
Counter argument
Despite the many opinions regarding the effectiveness of CCTV, other individuals feel that the effectiveness of the system is overrated. Graham (2002, p. 67) for instance claims that a high focus on the effectiveness of the system draws from an unbiased assessment of the impact of CCTV in eradicating crime. Instead, he advocates for more focus on roots causes of crime. Some individuals claim that CCTV systems are only effective for a short while but fail to deter crime after people become used to them. Installing CCTV systems is expensive. Some people feel cost effective alternative crime prevention methods should be applied.
Refutation
To better understand the issues arising from the use of CCTV, it is important to appreciate the type of surveillance in question and the motivations that promote their implementation. Video surveillance for instance can be used for overt or covert reasons when used to discourage potential offenders or in gathering evidence to support a case in the courts (Leman-Langlois 2008, p. 79). Video surveillance is multifaceted and cannot be viewed in isolation. According to Klauser (2004, p. 79), video surveillance can be viewed as either preservative or protective. Preservative surveillance is when the surveillance is used to preserve social order. On the other hand, protective surveillance refers to a case whereby surveillance is used to create risk-free public spaces where required. Klauser explains that video surveillance is all about social-spatial relationships. For instance, protective and preservative video surveillance involves separate methods with differing motives but under the same social-spatial framework (European Commission for Democracy Through Law 2008, par. 7). Modern crimes are complex and with very severe effects. Criminal activities such as terrorism are not only expensive but leave effects for a generation. Incurring additional costs in installing CCTV systems is for well good of society.
Effectiveness of Fingerprint and DNA
Biometric technology is highly used in the criminal justice system. The most common form of this technology in the criminal justice system is fingerprinting. Fingerprints have long been used in the criminal justice system to provide a unique identification of an individual. With the improvement of the technology, fingerprints can be easily compared to a search of collected fingerprints in the police database. Automatic identification allowed by this technology allows automatic identification (Bowyer 2004, par 7). For instance, prisons usually take ink fingerprints. With this technology, fingerprints can easily be compared with fingerprints in police databases in order to obtain identification information as well as support information sharing.
Fingerprinting plays a significant role in preventing crime as well as in the identification of offenders. Taking fingerprint plays a significant role in preventing forgery (Lodge & Snijder 2010, par 5). Since fingerprints are unique, they help in the clear identification of an individual thus helping to prevent criminal activities. In a crime is committed, law enforcers can be able to pick fingerprints from objects at the scene of crimes. By having the police have a database of fingerprints, it would be easier to obtain the total identification of the offender/s and assist in bringing the offender to book.
DNA technology is very effective in preventing crime and detection. DNA technology can provide a unique identification of an individual (Bowyer 2004, par 3). Considering that it is most likely to find a sample of DNA at the scene of a crime, it can play a significant role in identifying offenders and convicting offenders. DNA test results taken from the scene of a crime can be compared to results taken from suspects or stored in a police database. In addition, test results from a sample obtained in a crime scene can be compared to results sample picked from a close relative of the suspect. DNA database can play a very significant role in ensuring national and international security. DNA fingerprinting, for instance, provide one of the most effective ways of identifying an individual. With the use of a DNA database, potential criminals can be identified an entry points, helping to keep away terrorists and other criminals. DNA and fingerprints database has a very important role in preventing white-collar crimes such as forgery, which are on the increase.
Counter Argument
The major issue in the use of biometric technology is accuracy. For Fingerprint and DNA to be used effectively in identification, they must be able to provide accurate information over an individual. Accuracy is a very important factor when information collected is to be shared internationally (Bowyer 2004, par 11). Although accuracy can be achieved under testing conditions, it can be highly affected in practice. For instance, practice conditions such as greasy fingers, greased fingerprint scanners or variable light in face recognition cameras can affect accuracy (Woodward, Horn & Thomas 2003, par 13). Some critics of these methods claim that the methods are not free of mistakes. There could be mistakes in the results of fingerprint or DNA results leading to misleading leads in criminal investigations.
Refutation
Fingerprints and DNA are some of most accurate forms of identification. Although one hundred percent accuracy may not be possible to achieve, use of fingerprints and DNA can contribute highly to reduction of crime. Database on fingerprints and DNA results can enable matching with fewer mistakes. DNA technology is relatively new. Technology has great future as there many research studies conducted on the subject. Accuracy is, in fact, not the actual concern for those against use of the technology of security issues. I consider the main issue as a misconception over the new technology. A crime becomes more sophisticated, the new advanced technology can help ensure security for every citizen.
Ethical issues
The use of CCTV and biometric technologies raise ethical concerns. In this case, the ethical concern surrounds the privacy of involved individuals. The other concerns are on suppression of individual liberties in order to achieve greater good and increasing fear of insecurity (Sutton & Wilson 2004, par 6). Ethical concerns are motivated by the urge to ensure individual freedom and privacy as well as output and use of information acquired through these technologies. In spite of these ethical concerns, those who are for CCTV technology argue for its use. They argue that CCTV systems act as a deterrent to crimes and potential offenders and therefore, innocent individuals should not be too concerned over its presence.
Privacy is a major ethical concern in use of fingerprints and DNA in criminal justice. Retention of fingerprints and DNA is considered to be an infringement of privacy. Retention of the information is also considered to contravene right to equal treatment or healing in a court of law. Picking a DNA sample from a close relative of a suspect draws ethical concerns. The concern is over function creep where information obtained through the technology is used widely leading individuals to lose control over private information. Another concern is on information sharing which further compromises individual privacy.
DNA samples collected for a DNA database can compromise an individual’s privacy. Apart from identifying an individual, DNA samples contain can be used to produce other information about an individual; such as health related information, information on paternity and other personal issues. The ability of DNA samples to provide health related information and information over paternity draw interest from other third parties such as the government such as employer, insurers and other agencies. Consequently, maintaining a DNA database can lead to genetic discrimination.
Retention of DNA profiles and fingerprints raise more controversy than the act of picking the bio information. Likewise, retention of biological samples leads to more ethical concerns as compared to the retention of digitized fingerprints and DNA profiles. The samples retained by security details may be used without the consent of the individuals from whom they were picked. Although this is not allowed at the moment, there is fear among people this could happen later. Retention of fingerprints and DNA profiles do not allow law enforcers to obtain additional information about an individual. Retained biological samples however can be sequenced to provide additional information without the knowledge or consent of the individuals from whom they are collected.
Conclusion
Crime prevention is a priority in the fight against criminal activities. Major security threats such as terrorist attacks have motivated further application of technology in crime prevention. CCTV and biometric technology provide part of the solution to crime prevention. CCTV technology has been effective in preventing crimes. Fingerprinting and DNA are some of the promising biometric technology. When used in conjunction with other systems such as CCTV, DNA and fingerprinting can enable easy identification and hence better proactive crime prevention. Privacy is a major ethical concern in the use of technologies. However, effective control and regulation can help in the use of the technologies without raising major ethical issues.
Reference List
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