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Radio
Police can now use radio to traffic law enforcement. -
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Technology of Criminal Justice
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First electronic dataprocessing machine
The New Orleans police department installs the first electronic dataprocessing machine, a vacuum tube-operated calculator with a punch card sorter and collater that summarizes arrests and warrants. This is the first advance to record information about criminals and is able to quickly access that information. -
Side-handle baton
The first side-handle baton was invented by a former marine. This allowed for a more non-lethal method for detaining a suspect. -
National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System
The National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, a message-switching facility links all state police computers with the exception of Hawaii. This allowed for police departments to communicate with each other easier, which is crucial for coordinating efforts between cities. -
Walkie Talkies
Portable two-way radios was a two-way communication between officers and dispatchers. This is essential for routing emergency services where they need to go. -
NCIC is online
FBI's database is now online and being implemented nationwide. This allows a national coordination of effort in tracking and detaining suspects. -
911 is adopted by AT&T
911 is now adopted by AT&T as an emergency number, reaching emergency services. This simple 3 digit number allows citizens to reach emergency services faster, -
CAT System
The first court-operated computer-aided transcript (CAT) sytem is installed. -
Electronic stungun
The first electronic stungun is built by NASA, a means of decapacitating an aggressive suspect. -
Fingerprint reader
Rockwell international installs the first fingerprint reader at FBI headquarters. This was a major milestone in biometric identification, allowing for a quick and secure way of protecting information and as an access control system into buildings. -
Body Armor
National Institute of Justice developed kevlar-based body armor. It has saved many lives by protecting vital organs from bullet injurues and distributing the blunt force of a bullets impact. -
Enhanced 911
Police departments implement enhanced 911. Dispatchers instantly recieve the address and the number of emergency callers. Dispatchers can send officers promptly to a location. -
Pepper spray developed
Pepper spray was developed. A non-lethal way to detain aggressive suspects. It can incapacitate by attacking the corneal and mucus memebrane of the eye. -
Police departments and computer use
More than 90% of police departments are using computers for criminal investigations and dispatch. The switch to computers computing shows the evolution and the slow transition to using computers for processing large amounts of data. -
DNA evidence
National Academy of Sciences says DNA evidence is undisputable. This allows for DNA to be used in court as incriminating evidence. -
AWCPSA
AWCPSA (Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act) creates sex offender Public Database. This allows citizens to know who in their neighborhood is a sex offender. -
Video Surveillance
Cities install video surveillance to patrol communities. Some dispute this as an invasion of privacy. Crime rates drop because criminals are afraid their actions will be caught on footage. Criminals are caught faster and have incriminating evidence against them.
