The Hottest Areas of R&D in Criminal Sciences

Hardware Technology

According to a recent report, the forensic tech market swelled from $5.16 billion in 2023 to $5.64 billion in 2024. Dr. Carter believes this is one of the primary areas of emerging research, as companies nationwide are trying to figure out how to make tools that police forces can use.

However, it is not always straightforward: “If you think back to body-worn cameras, that was a prime example of a tool people thought would be easy to implement and that everyone could use. You can get a body-worn camera on Amazon for $80. It should be really easy, right?” asks Dr. Carter. “What they don’t realize are the infrastructure costs, the storage costs of all that data, and paying people to translate the footage into evidentiary value and maintain the chain of custody.”

Here are two hardware solutions where research is still emerging.

Gunshot Detection Technology

Gunshot detection technology utilizes acoustic sensors to detect the sound waves a gunshot produces and triangulate its location. This early warning system can alert law enforcement of potential gun violence events and, in some cases, even identify the type of firearm used. “They can then dispatch police to that location with more accuracy than someone calling 911 saying I heard gunshots to the west,” explains Dr. Carter.

However, this technology is still in its infancy, with many challenges that must be addressed. “In reality, all the research has shown that the technology does what it says but doesn’t add any operational value. Most gunshots are already called in by 911, and officers arrive pretty quickly, so there’s not that much benefit to it. Also, it’s incredibly expensive due to the infrastructure required, and it’s not always accurate,” says Dr. Carter.

Multiple Technology Responses

Another emerging field is the integration of multiple technologies to enhance operational effectiveness: “Some police departments are investigating how to use drones to respond to 911. You can pair gunshot detection, closed circuit cameras, and drones to have a unified or integrated response to certain calls,” notes Dr. Carter.

“Questions researchers are asking is if there is a critical incident going on, is there technology in place where I could tap into officers’ cameras and get a live feed? Are there cameras on their vehicles or drones that can be deployed to improve the operational responses? This can be critical in situations like school shootings where real-time information on the fly can help inform operations.”

AI Advances

One of the most significant innovation and research areas is using artificial intelligence (AI) in criminal sciences and law enforcement. From facial recognition technology to predictive policing, AI is revolutionizing how we approach criminal justice. “Machine learning and AI have value in helping organizations become more efficient with their resources. The question is how they can leverage AI or machine learning to expedite manual processes. Right now, policing takes a lot of human resource capital. However, how do you manage the potential risks, the effort to ensure people are trained to use it effectively, and identifying problems when it generates incorrect information in the law enforcement sphere?” asks Dr. Carter.

Facial Recognition

Facial recognition technology is one of the most controversial areas of AI research. While it has the potential to quickly and accurately identify suspects, there are concerns about accuracy and potential bias in the algorithms used: “A few years ago, Clearview created an app that used facial recognition to identify people. The idea was a police officer could come across a suspect who doesn’t have their ID on them or give a fake name or alias. The officer could hold their phone up and take a picture of their face, and the app would identify them correctly. This got a lot of pushback due to privacy concerns,” explains Dr. Carter.

Beyond identifying suspects, there are numerous potential uses of facial recognition technology in policing that could enhance operational efficiency and public safety. One possible application is crowd management and surveillance during major events or public gatherings. Facial recognition systems can quickly scan and identify individuals on watchlists or those with outstanding warrants, thereby preventing potential incidents before they escalate.

Security Measures

Another place where AI is making headway is in providing security. This also leverages facial recognition but in a different way. “For example, airports are critical infrastructure in our country and are places that have cameras with built-in AI for security reasons. They can identify people and give tem access to certain doors or locations. They can also flag suspicious behavior,” explains Dr. Carter.

“There can be a camera over a security door, and if someone is detected to be at that door for too long or they are being suspicious, it’ll bring it to the attention of someone responsible for monitoring the cameras. This area poses interesting opportunities for researchers to use AI and machine learning.”

Forensic Science

Forensic science is an area of criminal sciences that has received significant attention over the years. It involves applying scientific techniques to gather evidence from crime scenes, analyze it, and present it in court to assist with solving crimes. Forensic science has played a crucial role in solving many high-profile cases and has become an integral part of the criminal justice system. However, with technological advancements, this field is undergoing a dramatic transformation.

Digital Forensics

Digital forensics involves collecting and analyzing digital evidence from electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, and tablets. In today’s digital age, criminals increasingly use technology to commit crimes or cover their tracks. As a result, digital forensics has become a crucial component of criminal investigations. It involves extracting data from electronic devices, analyzing it using specialized software, and presenting it in court as admissible evidence. With the proliferation of digital devices and the ever-evolving complexity of cybercrimes, digital forensics is an area of constant research and development.

Biometric Technology

Biometric technology, such as fingerprint analysis and facial recognition, has been used in criminal investigations for many years. However, advancements in this field have led to more sophisticated techniques to identify individuals with higher accuracy and speed. As biometrics become increasingly reliable and cost-effective, they are expected to play a more significant role in criminal investigations in the future.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is another area of criminal sciences that has gained significant attention in recent years. With the increasing use of technology in all aspects of society, cybercriminals have become more sophisticated and pose a significant threat to individuals, organizations, and governments. “In this digital age, cybersecurity is going to be increasingly important. Especially as more of daily life and infrastructure move online. This creates a host of different challenges for researchers,” notes Dr. Carter.

Preventing Fraud

“Fraud is going to be even more rampant,” says Dr. Carter. “We have cases where people can take five videos off your social media page and use them to recreate your image and voice. That’s very problematic, especially nowadays, where teleconferencing is the norm. There are documented cases of people being defrauded because they thought they were speaking to someone, and it wasn’t them. It was a deepfake version of them. Researchers are working on how to detect and prevent this.”

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is another growing issue in our digital world. The anonymity and reach of the internet have made it easier for bullies to target their victims, leading to severe psychological consequences. Dr. Carter notes that there are algorithms that can detect cyberbullying on social media platforms and flag them for intervention.

Staffing Challenges

While it is not a very attractive problem, staffing challenges are an area for researchers: “The continued challenges with recruitment and retention in police departments and correctional agencies are a high priority. Criminal justice students like the ones from our program will have plenty of opportunities,” says Dr. Carter. “It is an area that needs a lot of research both in terms of an appropriate level of force and the resources from municipalities and states and federal agencies needed to support those roles and those missions.

He continues, “from an educational perspective, people should know that now more than ever, we need a workforce trained in criminal justice and public safety to serve our communities. We know the value of having good, informed, and educated citizens assume roles as police officers, corrections officers, and the people working in our criminal justice system.”

Policing Ethics

Ethics are essential in the criminal justice system, particularly in policing. Using AI and technology in law enforcement raises ethical concerns about privacy, accountability, and potential biases and is particularly interesting to researchers. “The balance of effective policies to combat crime and disorder with the realization of the disparate impact on marginalized communities is always going to be going to be an issue, and one we need to continue to study,” says Dr. Carter.

“Minneapolis is a great case study. Following the murder of George Floyd, there was a big push to reduce policing in marginalized communities that were historically communities of color. As time has passed, these communities have said, ‘Where are our police officers? We need this public service in our communities.’ Now, we must get back to serving those communities with equitable, just, and fair policing.”