ABSTRACT
New technology may have the potential to trans form law enforcement and intelligence-led policing, and enable focused and targeted policing of serious, prolific offenders. This chapter examines the role of technology in relation to the three i components of the 3-i model. It discusses three specific technologies namely geographical information systems (GIS), predictive policing and social media. Crime analysts have a tendency to fawn over the technological aspects of their role and frequently ignore the phases of influencing decision-makers and having an impact on the criminal environment. Technology has now facilitated DNA analysis, social network mapping, telephone call analysis, tracking of electronic financial trans actions, plotting of movement of people through the airline system, video surveillance tied to facial recognition, vehicle license plate readers, and gunshot audio detection systems. Modern software can map crime hot spots easily, through the use of GIS. Related to crime mapping are the latest buzzwords in law enforcement, predictive policing.
