Answer

The Legal Landscape

Introduction

            Technology is continually being implemented in the legal landscape, which has further influenced the sector positively than in the past. Fingerprint analysis and lie detectors are some of the common outcomes of technology which have influence how law enforcement officers complete their investigations to establish accurate findings. The focus of this paper is to examine how technology has changed the legal landscape with a major focus on fingerprints and lie detector tools.

Fingerprint Analysis

            For a long time, law enforcers and investigators relied on the use of testimonies to collect evidence associated with a crime. However, with technological advancement, fingerprint technology has been implemented to assist in investigations and have proven to be effective as a result of their zero-error rates (Eldridge, 2017). According to Strutin (2017), fingerprint is considered as an effective means of collecting evidence associated with crime. Within the criminal justice field, fingerprint evidence has made it the emblem of identifying the source of a much legal contention (Strutin, 2017).

            Fingerprint exists practically on any solid surface inclusive of the human body. According to analysts, fingerprints can be categorized into three groups based on the type of surface in which they are found and whether they can be visualized or not. The first group includes fingerprints existing on soft surfaces such as on paint or wax. The second group includes those found on hard surfaces and are transferred by fingers, blood or ink. The third group includes the patent prints such as those found on porous and non-porous surfaces (A simplified guide to fingerprint Analysis, 2013).

            Fingerprints are collected in various ways. For instance, patent prints are collected through the use of straight forwards methods such as high-resolution photography containing a forensic measurement scale whereby the image will be utilized as referenced during the process of investigation (A simplified guide to fingerprint Analysis, 2013). Technology has proven to be effective in this case in that the investigators can enhance the quality of images through the use of alternative sources of light or unique dyes and chemicals. Latent fingerprints are collected through the use of fingerprint powder. If any print appears on the nonporous surface, its photograph is taken and a clear adhesive tape is used to lift it from the surface before it is preserved on the latent lift card (A simplified guide to fingerprint Analysis, 2013). The use of alternate light source is recommended in this case since the fingerprint powder can contaminate the surface. For instance, blue light can be utilized alongside an orange filter to visualize latent prints available on chairs and desks.

            Fingerprints are stored in a database which is further consulted to establish potential matches during the process of investigation. Consulting the database makes it possible for the investigators to establish the potential matches that are effective in generating the final determination. The police, forensic scientists, or technicians are directly responsible for conducting the analysis procedure. However, it is recommended that they should have adequate training to complete the task (A simplified guide to fingerprint Analysis, 2013).

The fingerprint analysis process is completed in four steps. The first one is the analysis process. This stage is effective in determining if the print can be used for comparison. The second step includes completing a comparison on a side-by-side basis to establish if there is a known match. The third step is the evaluation process, which is often completed after establishing that the prints are from the same source. In this case, minutiae features of the print are compared to determine if the match is known. The evaluation stage is effective in establishing if the identified prints are from the same source to gain certainty. Subsequently, a verification process is completed to support or refute the conclusion while verifying its suitability in completing the determinations made at the stage of the analysis (A simplified guide to fingerprint Analysis, 2013). Canen v. Chapman (2017) is one of the court cases whereby fingerprint evidence was effectively utilized to guide the legal process, suggesting that only experts should be involved to complete the procedure to avoid wrongful convictions (Strutin, 2017).

Lie Detectors

            Lie detectors, also referred to as polygraphs, are effective technologies which have transformed how investigations are completed before charging a crime suspect. According to the American Psychological Association (AMA), lie detectors are increasingly gaining prominence in the field of investigation. The primary idea behind the use of lie detectors is the ability to detect the veracity of an individual through a close monitoring of the psychological changes recorded (AMA, 2020). Evidently, lie detection includes inferring deception through an analytical procedure of the physiological responses provided to unstructured and unstandardized questions.

            The tool utilized to complete the polygraph test is composed of a physiological recorder whose primary purpose is to assess indicators such as increased heart rate, skin conductivity, and respiration (AMA, 2020). Currently, examiners rely on the use of computerized recording systems. The depth and rate of the respiration is measured through the use of pneumographs, which are placed on the chest cavity. The activity of the cardiovascular system is assessed by the use of blood pressure cuffs while that of the skin conductivity ascertained by electrodes that are attached to the fingertips of the subject (AMA, 2020). 

            Control Question Test (QCT) procedure is commonly implemented with the polygraph technology. The QCT is considered as effective with this tool since it makes it easier for the investigator to draw comparisons based on the responses provided to the “relevant” questions. The control questions are designed in a way that they prompt the individual to react as a result of their threatening nature. An individual who is telling the truth is assumed to fear answering control questions in comparison to relevant questions. AMA (2020) explains that control questions arouses the subject’s concern about the past truthfulness while the relevant questions are focused on obtaining data about a crime which subjects know that they did not commit.

A pattern related with the physiological response to the relevant questions in comparison to the control questions results to a deception diagnosis. A strong response to the control questions results to a non-deception judgment. In the events where no notable difference is experienced between the relevant and control question answers, then the test results are considered to be inconclusive (AMA, 2020). Lie detectors have proven to be effective in that a person will always show an emotional reaction when confronted with a question about a crime which he/she is suspected to be involved (Weber, 2014).

Conclusion

            In conclusion, technology has transformed the legal landscape by enhancing the effectiveness of crime investigations. The fingerprint technology makes it possible to establish the potential crime perpetrator based on the fingerprints available on the crime scene which are analyzed and matched from a fingerprint database. Lie detectors are also as effective. Notably, this technology makes it possible to establish if a suspect is lying based on emotional responses collected through the use of technology.