Introduction
Nowadays, technologies permeate all life spheres, helping users perform various tasks faster and easier. Criminology is not an exception, as investigators utilize various digital tools to identify, find, and catch perpetrators. Most of these tools operate either on a web-based platform or a mobile-based platform. The major difference between the two is that a web-based platform provides information and services via the Internet browser, while a mobile-based platform requires downloading on a mobile device (Ali, 2018). Both of the platforms have advantages and disadvantages, but today a mobile-based platform seems a better choice for efficient investigation.
Data and Evidence Collection
Mobile applications can quickly and efficiently use a variety of useful features and functions of a smartphone, such as cameras or geo-location capture. Biron et al. (2019) suggested developing a mobile application that would use these smartphone resources and perform such investigative functions as “profiling, geographic profiling, structured and unstructured data mining, network analysis, and tracking techniques” (p. 1263). Such mobile applications would record dates, times, locations, and coordinates and would “enable detectives and investigators to submit detailed and precise crime reports in real time” (Biron et al., 2019, p. 1265). Perez et al. (2021) also proposed a mobile application called MAGNETO for automatic “extracting relevant data from police reports and documents” and its further interpretation and analysis for crime prevention and investigation (p. 23697). The researchers believe it would help police officers focus on the tasks that require human intervention (Perez et al., 2021). Thus, mobile applications are effective tools for investigative procedures automatization.
Mobile applications may also accelerate investigation and increase the possibility of catching the criminal. For instance, forensic specialists already utilize mobile application that allows them to conduct rapid DNA tests right at the crime scene (Mapes et al., 2018). The scholars note that such tests might be less sensitive than the classical ones conducted in the laboratory, but they are much faster and allow the identification of the criminal within two hours (Mapes et al., 2018, p.29). Another time-consuming procedure during an investigation is tape measurements. Moreover, it enhances the risk of misplacing or damaging evidence (Sharma et al., 2019). Sharma et al. (2019) found out that mobile applications allow not only to take photos of crime scenes but also to make very precise measurements faster than they would be done manually. In brief, mobile phones have several features that make data and evidence storage, collection, and submission faster and more precise.
Tracking down the Perpetrator
Apart from having a geo-location capture feature, mobile phones are portable and can be used wherever the user goes. It enables mobile applications to perform a tracing function: detecting a kidnapping case or catching a criminal (Biron et al., 2019). Apart from using geo-location data, mobile apps collect a lot of data from the suspect’s social networks that may also be crucial for tracing him. Mobile-based applications also help police officers to conduct street checks and quickly access information on suspicious people, cars, or locations and all the incidents connected to them (Bedford et al., 2021). According to the study conducted by Bedford et al. (2021), police officers utilizing mobile applications are more eager to perform street checks and are more successful at preventing and detecting crimes (p. 4). The information they collect may also be valuable for other investigators. Therefore, mobile applications are also very helpful in tracking down criminals.
The Internet Connection
Finally, it is noteworthy that access to the Internet plays a crucial role in choosing between a web-based and a mobile-based platform. Web applications would be useless when an investigator does not have a good Internet connection, as all their data are stored online (Ali, 2018). As for mobile applications, they can operate offline, though some of their functions, such as information transmission, would not be available. However, they would still be able to record precise data or give access to the information that is stored on the device. Therefore, mobile applications are more reliable in situations when the Internet connection is not available or stable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a mobile-based platform is better suited for crime investigation than a web-based one. Firstly, mobile applications have access to smartphone resources that can make evidence collection more efficient. Secondly, mobile phones are portable, and apps downloaded help trace kidnapped victims or perpetrators. Thirdly, mobile applications are more reliable, as they do not require an Internet connection for performing all their functions. Thus, investigators should consider these advantages while choosing technological tools for their work.
References
Ali, N. S. (2018). Investigation framework of web applications vulnerabilities, attacks and protection techniques in structured query language injection attacks. International Journal of Wireless and Mobile Computing, 14(2), 103–122. Web.
Bedford, L., Mazerolle, L., Gilmour, J. & Martin, P. (2021). The impact of mobile technology devices on street checks and crime incidents reported: results of a randomised controlled trial. Journal of Experimental Criminology. Web.
Biron, K., Mansoor, W., Miniaoui, S., Atalla, S., Mukhtar, H., & Bin Hashim, K. F. (2019). Data science tools for crime investigation, archival, and analysis. 2019 IEEE SmartWorld, Ubiquitous Intelligence & Computing, Advanced & Trusted Computing, Scalable Computing & Communications, Cloud & Big Data Computing, Internet of People and Smart City Innovation (SmartWorld/SCALCOM/UIC/ATC/CBDCom/IOP/SCI), 1263-1266. Web.
Mapes, A. A., Stoel, R. D., de Poot, C. J., Vergeer, P., & Huyck, M. (2018). Decision support for using mobile rapid DNA analysis at the crime scene. Science & Justice, 59(1), 29-45. Web.
PĂ©rez, F. J., Garrido, V. J., GarcĂa, A., Zambrano, M., Kozik, R., ChoraĹ›, M., MĂĽhlenberg, D., Pallmer, D., & MĂĽller, W. (2021). Multimedia analysis platform for crime prevention and investigation. Multimedia Tools and Applications, 80, 23681–23700. Web.
Sharma, B. K., Bashir, R., Philip S. A., & Kumar, H. (2019). A comparative study of mobile applications for crime scene measurements – a digital approach. 2019 International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Knowledge Economy (ICCIKE), 492-495. Web.