JUS 510 Tiffin University New Technology Machines Used by Police Essay Introduction The world of criminal justice is always changing and evolving. Issues t

JUS 510 Tiffin University New Technology Machines Used by Police Essay Introduction
The world of criminal justice is always changing and evolving. Issues that were current one day are obsolete the next because society is always evolving and changing. That is why it is important for criminal justice practitioners to keep current with new technologies, trends and issues.

Select a current issue in the criminal justice community – one that is either on the horizon and being talked about being implemented or one that is currently being tested or just recently entered the field but one we have not yet discussed in the class. Select that issue and take a look at it from the stand point if it is going to aid the field of criminal justice and move us in a good direction or not. Remember this will be a byline report so you will need to phrase it in the form of a question and look at the pros and cons of the issue. Select something that we have not discussed in the class or used for other assignments.

This is one of two byline style reports that will be done during the class.

Activity Instructions
1. Download the Byline Report Template in Course Documents and review the detailed instructions and format.
2. Undertake library research to identify a topic that can be critiqued from many angles.
3. Identify a solid list of pros and cons regarding this topic.
4. Make an informed recommendation based upon your research.
5. Create your byline report in the template and submit it in Moodle.

Writing Requirements (APA format)

3 pages (approx. 300 words per page), not including title page or references page
1-inch margins
Double spaced
12-point Times New Roman font
Title page with topic and name of student
References page (minimum of 3 resources) JUS 510 Contemporary Criminal Justice Issues and Trends
Semester: _______________________
Instructor: (name)
By-Line Assignment #1
Student’s Name: ____________________
ISSUE: Should police have access to vehicle event data recorders while investigating a
traffic crash?
FACTS: Although not widely known, especially by the motoring public, event data
recorders have been installed in vehicles since the early 70’s. The devices also called
crash data recorders or “black boxes” are similar in concept to the flight data recorders in
aircraft. Vehicle data recorders collect information such as vehicle speed, throttle use,
braking, seat belt use and air bag deployment in the seconds before a crash. The first
recorders used by General Motors were designed simply for air bag sensing and
deployment diagnostics. With advancements in technology and computer memory
capacity the amount and type of data collected has increased. The installation of
recorders has also expanded to the other major vehicle manufacturers. Specialty and
enhanced after market data recorders are being used widely in commercial fleets.
Having the ability to retrieve, analyze and use information from a recorder following a
crash is regarded as invaluable, especially to law enforcement. The devices aid traffic
accident investigation and identification of the at-fault driver. The data is also of interest
to insurance companies, traffic engineers, doctors, lawyers, fleet or safety managers and
the vehicle manufacturers themselves. Data retrieval is accomplished using a computer
interface cord connected to the recorder and a software program.
There is a counter opinion on the use of these devices. According to Jessica Olive in the
September 2005 issue of Governing Magazine “California and New York have already
passed laws prohibiting insurance companies from using black boxes in any way ” and 15
other states have legislation pending to regulate their use to varying degree. A main
theme of opponent’s concerns centers on privacy and ownership rights.
DISCUSSION:
PRO
1. Police agencies are charged with the duty to public safety, which includes
preventing traffic accidents. This is achieved through enforcement of traffic
laws and investigation of traffic accidents. Having access to information from
an event data recorder will directly assist in determining the causative factors
for an accident. Also, drivers may be more safety conscious when aware that
their vehicle data is being recorded and may be accessible to police after an
accident. With this knowledge vehicle operators will drive defensively, wear
seat belts more often or take other precautions to avoid accidents.
2. The recording devices provide objective, unbiased and scientifically accurate
information. This is a clear benefit since witnesses to an accident; involved
drivers and passengers are often known to be unreliable. The information
from the data recorder can also be legally exculpatory. When faced with a
traffic offense the information can be used equally to clear a suspected at fault
driver as to convict that same person. The data can be looked upon simply as
an additional piece of evidence from a wrecked vehicle similar to a damaged
fender, a broken light bulb or skid marks. Police already have the authority to
collect evidence from an accident scene.
3. Police reports documenting an accident investigation are used for many
purposes: from determining injury severity and assessing liability to designing
vehicles and roadways. Therefore officers need to make reasonable effort to
obtain and record crash data and other available evidence as soon as possible
at a crash scene. Failing to identify, collect, preserve, document and/or
analyze the data from a recorder can raise questions about the reliability of
any evidence collected after the fact. With information from data recorders
documented and accurately detailing the circumstances of an accident there
will be fewer false injury claims, insurance rates will decrease and more
importantly vehicles and roadways will have enhanced safety design.
Ultimately, accident rates will decline.
CON
1. Allowing police to access information from a vehicle crash data recorder is an
intrusion on an individual’s right to privacy. A motor vehicle is privately owned
property. Government authorities should not have access or control over property
that a private citizen has purchased. This includes the data and recording device
upon which it was collected. Technology will only continue to advance and
vehicle data recorders will only become more intrusive. Once police gain the
authority to collect vehicle data they will be able to obtain far more information
about drivers and owners in the future.
2. Manufacturers began installing event data recorders in vehicles without general
public knowledge. The interest of manufacturers is to avoid product liability
lawsuits and maintain their bottom line. Vehicle manufacturers have added an
unnecessary piece of equipment to their product and passed on the cost to the
consumer. Likewise insurance companies want the information from data
recorders to avoid paying medical and other damage claims. Their motive is also
to increase profit.
3. The police do not need the information from a crash data recorder to effectively
investigate traffic accidents. There are established science based fields of
accident reconstruction and vehicle crash dynamics. Current sources of evidence
are sufficient in most circumstances to determine the cause of an accident. In
those cases where fault or liability is in doubt the matter can be decided in court.
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, to advance pubic safety and the effectiveness of
accident investigation I recommend giving police the authority to retrieve vehicle data
recorders for the purpose of securing evidence. In addition officers should be permitted
to read and analyze the information the devices contain if in their judgment the
information is needed for inquiry into the cause of a motor vehicle crash.
References:
Harris Technical Services, (n.d.). Motor vehicle event data recorders.
Retrieved Sep. 13, 2005, from www.harristechnical.com.
National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, (n.d.). Event
data recorder applications for highway and traffic safety: media
articles. Retrieved Sept 13, 2005, from Articles from the Media Web
site: www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/edr-site/media.html.
Olive, J. (2005). Backseat Drivers ‘Black Boxes’ Raise a Red Flag.
Governing, , 72.

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