Criminal investigations have undergone a profound transformation in recent years, partly due to technological innovations. Advanced digital tools and techniques have revolutionized how criminal investigators and forensic experts approach evidence collection, analysis, and interpretation when building a criminal case.
Those motivated to work in criminal investigations are naturally interested in technology and criminal justice. However, they also need an education in the foundations of criminal investigation, including theories of investigation, crime scene conduct, and the collection and preservation of physical evidence.
Understanding the best practices in criminal investigation, including the use of technology, opens the door to careers in many criminal justice fields, including positions in law enforcement, crime labs, corrections, and the private sector.
The History of Technology and Criminal Justice
Many people are inspired to pursue criminal justice by detectives like Sherlock Holmes or Nancy Drew. Others connect with the science-driven methods of characters like Gil Grissom from CSI. While real investigations don’t have the same drama, they rely on tools and methods shaped by decades of innovation.
Fingerprint analysis changed investigations in the late 19th century. It gave investigators a reliable way to link suspects to crime scenes. Automated systems like AFIS in the 20th century made the process faster and more efficient. In the 1920s, Calvin Goddard’s comparison microscope transformed ballistics by helping investigators match bullets to firearms. Modern tools like IBIS now deliver even quicker and more precise results.
Radio communication improved coordination among officers. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences, founded in 1948, brought forensic science to more police departments. Dash and body cameras protect officers and provide critical evidence, improving transparency and accountability.
Technology keeps pushing the boundaries of criminal justice. Each advancement helps investigators solve crimes faster and keeps communities safer.
Latest Technology in Criminal Justice
Technology is revolutionizing criminal justice, bringing speed and accuracy to investigations. DNA analysis, for example, has become a game-changer. With advancements in DNA sequencing, forensic scientists now identify suspects faster and more accurately than ever before. DNA databases take this a step further, helping investigators crack cold cases and track serial offenders by matching evidence to known profiles.
In addition to DNA, forensic imaging and visualization tools are reshaping how investigators approach crime scenes. Digital photography, 3D laser scanning, and drones equipped with high-resolution cameras allow law enforcement to capture detailed visuals. These tools preserve evidence and help investigators recreate events with precision, ensuring no crucial detail is overlooked.
Artificial intelligence adds another layer of innovation. AI-driven data analytics can process massive amounts of information, including CCTV footage, phone records, and social media activity. By recognizing patterns and connections, these tools help investigators identify suspects, build timelines, and uncover critical leads.
As technology continues to evolve, it equips criminal justice professionals with tools that make solving crimes faster, smarter, and more efficient. Each advancement pushes the boundaries of what’s possible.
The NMU Global Campus BS in Criminal Justice
NMU Global Campus empowers students in its online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program to customize their learning experience through a range of electives. One popular choice, Criminal Investigations, offers an in-depth look at evidence analysis, investigative techniques, and crime scene processing.
The course covers essential topics such as investigation theory, crime scene conduct, evidence collection and preservation, and the basics of criminalistics. It equips students with the knowledge needed to handle real-world challenges in the field.
This course is just one way NMU’s 100% online degree prepares graduates for diverse roles in the criminal justice system. From law enforcement and crime labs to corrections and private sector jobs, students gain the skills to excel in a variety of careers.
Graduates often pursue positions like police detective, crime lab analyst, and fish and game warden. Others find success in private sector roles, such as loss prevention specialists for major retailers.
