ABSTRACT
Law enforcement activities are increasingly dependent upon technology. One of the most significant developments of the last 30 years is the emergence of satellite and airborne remote sensing systems. While remote sensing can broadly be defined as the acquisition of information about an object without direct contact and can include visual and aural systems, this chapter focuses on the use of visual sensors mounted on airborne or spaceborne platforms. Applying these technologies in a knowledgeable manner first
requires a basic understanding of the characteristics of the sensors, data formats, and tradeoffs. This chapter is organized by first providing an example of an application. This is followed by a discussion of the technical aspects of airborne and spaceborne remote sensing systems. The chapter concludes with a discussion of purchase and use considerations.
