Describe the use of force multipliers in electronic surveillance.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary. Certain pervasive forms of electronic surveillance are allowed under the theory that people who are in public places have no reasonable expectation of privacy. This theory allows for the use of a number of technological force multipliers, or devices that allow law enforcement agencies to expand their capabilities without a significant increase in personnel.Perhaps the most pervasive force multiplier is closed-circuit television surveillance (CCTV). This form of surveillance relies on strategically placed video cameras to record and transmit all activities in a targeted area. Another popular force multiplier involves computerized infrared cameras that take digital photos of license plates. Usually mounted on police cars, these automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) devices convert the images to text. Then the numbers are instantly checked against databases that contain records of the license plates of stolen cars and automobiles driven by a wide variety of targets, from wanted felons to citizens with unpaid parking tickets. In heavy-traffic areas, ALPR units can check thousands of license plates each hour.