In most areas of our lives, rapidly evolving technologies are continuing to shape the future. Both in terms of interactivity and engagement, as well as seemingly limitless reach. Forensics, has been one area that has embraced emerging technologies to assist the justice system, ensuring that technology advancements are used to their advantage in criminal, family and immigration cases.

It is important that the courts and expert witness services move with the IT-led times and use technology in its core processes and practises.

Capitalising on the technology which is readily available, the criminal justice sector understands how developing and emerging trends can significantly improve functionality and reach. Effectively streamlining service provisions unique to this sector, by way of implementing the very latest technology available.

Big Data and Facial Recognition Surveillance Technology Pivotal to Future of Criminal Justice System

The cornerstones of the justice system’s futureproofing is being built on its working relationship with big data, data analytics and facial recognition surveillance.

This holy trinity of emerging technology trends provide peerless ways in which to prevent and solve crimes, yet conversely reverse-engineer outcomes for those criminal activities which have already taken place.

The expansion of the key role technology plays in the impacting of criminal cases is certainly not lost on this sector. With the facilitation of online tools and video technology being at the vanguard of the core services we offer our clients.

As we venture even further forward, science fiction is becoming more of a hard-wired science fact, as we welcome AI and machine learning technologies.

As Well as Future-proof, Emerging Technology Proved Pandemic-proof in Criminal Justice Environs

The court service’s adoption of online and video technology throughout the pandemic was expedited to ensure court proceedings continued through national lockdowns. It has now highlighted how invaluable technology is in the criminal justice sector.

Court proceedings and systems were able to continue thanks to new video technology being ushered in to ensure the justice system wasn’t entirely suspended.

The National Police Chief’s Council lead for Court, DCC Tony Blaker said;

”We are working at pace with our partners to increase the use of technology, providing continued benefit to the public and keeping people safe.”

Echoing the common understanding that online and video technology, along with the very latest real time information-providing dashboard-style surveillance tools represent the future.

How Automated Facial Recognition Tools is Vital Technology in 21st Century Criminal Justice System

Based on an individual’s unique facial geometry, the identification of someone under suspicion of carrying out a crime is robustly implemented by a digital database of identified persons.

The software searches a face against this existing dataset of superior quality digital images and generates a positive match between the suspect and individuals on the system who have a criminal history with a significant degree of probability.

In recent times gallery capacity has increased to 20 million images, while upgrades to the system in terms of facial recognition capabilities are routine to aid efficiency. By far and away, advancements in facial recognition is at the forefront of current emerging technology trends within the justice system. While there’s even the possibility that retrospective analysis may become a common occurrence and additional tool in the foreseeable future.

Retrospective analysis software centres on the scrutinising of existing and older video and CCTV footage, which facilitates an algorithm that began life as a science project at a UK university. Essentially, retrospective FR software could be used for cross-reference purposes, in collaboration with police custody records to ID suspects who may have been overlooked in certain cases in the past.

What of The Technology-based Future in Criminal Forensics as Of Today?

Artificial intelligence is already here and is already being utilised within many industries. The theory and evolution of computer systems to perform tasks which historically rely on human intelligence is something which the justice system could greatly benefit from. Visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making and language translation are all, potentially within easy grasp of AI, and will characterise the future.

In tandem with AI, the application of machine learning could become far more widespread in the justice sector. Providing systems with the ability to automatically learn from previous experiences and subsequently improve service provisions, without the need to be individually and intricately programmed each time. Essentially, machine learning will involve the development of computer programs so that they can access data and use it to learn for themselves.

The Role Our IT Forensic Expert Witnesses Play in Emerging Technologies

As the use and functionality of technology grows, with it so does our expert witness's knowledge set. Alone, IT accessories in criminal activity aren’t able to mirror the role of an expert witness.

Our specialists deliver priceless and humanely learned insights into how an electronic device and both hard and software might have been facilitated as part of a crime. Establishing the when, where, how and most importantly, the crucial ‘who’ element.

By continuing to practice in their specialist fields, an expert witness remains aware of all the latest technology revisions and advancements. So, when technology is seized for criminal investigative purposes, our dedicated and highly acclaimed IT forensic expert witnesses spring into action.

Comprehensively trained and experienced professionals in their own right, our individually selected expert witnesses' number some 750-plus. And are available to analyse and substantiate critical evidence in criminal cases.

Get in touch today to find out more.