Augmented Reality Implementation in Criminal Justice (Research Paper Sample)

Augmented Reality Implementation in Criminal Justice
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Augmented Reality Implementation in Criminal Justice
Abstract
There are various technological innovations that have been developed in the field of criminal justice with an aim of preventing crime and improving the performance of the law enforcers. However, research has shown that little is known about how and why certain technological innovations are adopted and the consequences of the implementation-whether intended or unintended- of such solutions to curb crime. This paper provides a coherent and organized expression of Augmented Reality (AR) implementation in criminal justice. It describes Augmented Reality technology; summarizes the research on the extent of the implementation of the AR innovation in U.S.A.
Augmented Reality provides real-time examination of enhanced real-world physical environment using computer-generated virtual information. The application of AR in criminal justice is strong, but like other emerging technologies, there are potential challenges and foreseeable down sides with the implementation of the technology. Although many researchers suggest that AR technology has been in existence as illustrated by weather mapping systems, AR application in law enforcement is currently a delayed project in many states in U.S. The many legal, social, constitutional and operational challenges facing AR systems make it several years behind practical implementation in law enforcement. There are few studies that have focused on the implementation of AR in criminal justice. This paper illustrates how AR total application can be used to enhance law enforcement in the United States.
Introduction
A cursory review of efforts to prevent crime underscores the importance of technological innovation as a driving force in the reform of crime prevention and control strategies bya joint community collaboration of citizens, concerned parties, and the law enforcers. Technological development in criminal justice falls into two broad categories: information-based technological solution and material-based technologies (Reichert, 2001:1). Both technologies can revolutionize the organization of the law enforcers. The end of 20th century has seen the adoption of many crime prevention and control strategies by various individuals and groups. According to Harris (2007) all these measures have revolutionized the way the law enforcers are organized and operated based on technological innovations that were introduced in policing: the telephone, radio, and automobile.
One of the most celebrated, but minimally implemented, criminal justice technological innovations in 21st is the Augmented Reality (AR). AR technology as an emerging and potentially effective innovation can change administration of criminal justice. AR is an interactive computer-based technology that overlays virtual images onto a person’s real-world vision into real-world experience in a manner that enhances their ability to accomplish various tasks and assignments. AR has improved situational awareness enabling individuals to do accomplish the same work as people equipped with more advanced technology (Cowper and Buerger, 2014).
AR can be put in numerous applications in law enforcement to enhance delivery of criminal justice services. AR can be implemented through a number of applications such as different law enforcement scenarios areas like patrols, SWAT operations and criminal investigations, training environment, leadership and management of law enforcers. AR application can cross cut different sectors of law enforcement including the judiciary, forensic science, business contracting, medicine and legislation.
History of AR
Augmented Reality (AR) provides real-time examination of enhanced real-world physical environment using computer-generated virtual information (Furht, 2001). The scope of AR is difficult to define because it has a wide range of potential sensory applications of input environments. An example of AR is the virtual overlays on the headgear that relay information, context-sensitive screen menus or map models. The weather map is arguably the oldest form of AR that relay different images, videos, and superimposed animations on a blank green or blue map. AR has been enhanced to show more dynamic real-time information such as the presenter interface. The presenter interface incorporates gestures or smart devices similar to those used in election process (Lawler, 2010).
The penetration of AR has been enhanced with the increase in the number of smartphones and personal smart devices in our lives. Many people now use smartphones than in the past few years. People continue to use smart phone apps for browsing, shopping, social networking and searching for information. Smart phones have the software and hardware capabilities to support AR app and put it into creative use. The Head Mounted Displays (HMDs) is a recent development of AR technologies. The Google Glass is such a development that provides users with a seamless platform for integrated visual delivery (IVD) of overlaid information (Gotow, 2010).
Law Enforcement
AR technology can transform the way ground laws are enforced. This challenge is common in similar technological innovations and is a risk posed by adoption of AR in law enforcement. Transmission of information in Real-time, facial-recognition and enhanced-communication software can help law enforcers (Rampolla, 2013). The Golden-I Police Pro technology is precursor of AR. The company is known for developing other technologies for fire-fighting, paramedics and workers supervision using remote devices to identify suspects, get alerts on motion sensors, monitor basic vital signs and GPS coordinates, as well as scan license plates. AR has the capability to Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) given appropriate set of instructions. Rampolla (2013) demonstrated that facial-recognition can be applied together with current criminal databases such as CCTV to identify criminals. It can also enhance AR videos and 3D mapping of crime scenes hence aid criminal investigations (Rampolla, 2013).
AR has a negative side that may affect law enforcement as a result of criminal gaining access to AR. AR has been adopted in pornography industry although its application is at the initial stages. The AR technology can promote sharing of pornographic materials. Although adults can use AR porn if consented, there are fears that it might get into AR Child Porn (Williams, 2013). The "Sex offender Tracker" use offender databases to identify offenders can solve this challenge. However, it raises numerous privacy questions that need to be addressed.
Military
The US military applies AR technologies such as the wearable HUD and also funds research into AR technologies. DARPA (2012) want to bring AR displays to contact lenses that are held as the climax of visual informational integration of AR overlays. Individual companies are also designing HMD AR such as Liteye with the intention to change the very nature of military work.
Safety Measure
Law enforcers can directly apply AR in areas of safety regulations and emergency response. The AR HMDs can also be utilized in fire-fighting with HUDs displaying vital signs, facial-recognition with colleagues, signs of injury or RFDI link with medical records, structural weakness detection in buildings, and enhanced communication with colleagues and Headquarters. The technology has been used to successively guide nuclear power-plants. However, this application raises issues about the over-reliance AR that can lack alternative response in case of an emergency (Ho & Poong, 2012).
Courtroom integration
AR can be integrated with the judicial systems. Courtrooms have been embracing change in terms of technological advancement. This move is likely to see further advancement of AR such as teleconferencing capabilities. Such adjustments should witness as high-tech environment of real projection of images and audio of people who are not present in the court room (Lederer, 2005). The idea is ideal for people who only play in partial role the trials. Although the jury may prefer their presence for integrity and secrecy reasons, it is not enough to conclude that lack of physical presence would compromise the trial even if the judge were not present given that the holographic real-time representation of their virtual presence from wherever they are. Of course, such application of AR would require a change in the meaning of being physically "present" in a place. Other legal clauses of having someone present in a place would also be affected. The likely legal areas to be affected by this definition include witnessing signatures on legal documents which beg the question whether one can witness in an AR-form. While addressing this challenge, SCOTUS Justice Scalia holds that the Confrontation Clause that compel accusers to make their accusations in the presence of the defendants, would not be followed. According to her, AR portrayal of defendant image and the virtual confrontation do not amount to protection of real constitutional rights (Amendments to Rule 26(b)).
The transformation of courts to 2-d animations of jurors is another challenge that AR must address. The standards of realistic experience of jurors may change and hence the standard courtroom evidence. AR can bring important improvement in courtroom treatment of evidence. For example, a real-time capture of a person speeding hence causing accidents. AR has recording abilities which may add to the database of evidence. AR would replace the fallible evidence based on memories with reliable documentation that would substantiate claims in courts (Lederer, 2005).
Lederer recognizes that the application of AR in courtrooms may face barriers in terms of effective application. Like other technological innovations, it may a...