As with society in general, the practice of criminal law has changed significantly over recent decades as a result of the amazing growth and development of technologies which, until now, were only ideas and imaginings of science-fiction writers. The lawyer of 20 or 30 years ago would likely be startled to see some of the innovations which are now commonplace in our courtrooms. Developments have taken place in virtually all aspects of this field, from the investigation of crime and the gathering of evidence, through to the prosecution and defence of cases in court. Hundreds of pages of legal texts and judicial decisions have been written discussing these changes. Here are some of the most notable ways in which modern technology has changed the practice of criminal law.
Evidence Gathering by Police
Perhaps the most significant technological leap in the area of evidence gathering over the last two or three decades is in the development of scientific means to detect and identify human DNA.Perhaps the most significant technological leap in the area of evidence gathering over the last two or three decades is in the development of scientific means to detect and identify human DNA. Until the late 1980s, the best science could offer in the field of biological analysis of human fluids and substances were generalities: blood types could be matched, for example, and hair samples could be compared. When it came to linking such items to a particular person, however, the most that could be said was that one sample was similar to another.
With the development of the technology needed to break down and analyze Deoxyribonucleic Acid (“DNA”), all of that changed. DNA is often referred to as our individual genetic “blue print”. Because each human being has a different code contained in our DNA at the cellular level, it is now possible for scientists to virtually match the DNA from one sample of human fluid or tissue, to that in another. (I have used the phrase “virtually match” because in fact, the results of comparisons are never described in terms of actually matching; rather, the odds of the two samples being from different persons are usually offered instead. But because these numbers are usually astronomical in nature – often one in several trillion – it ends up being “virtually” the same thing as an actual match.) Now, for example, the DNA of a victim which is found in blood on the clothing of a suspect or accused will provide very powerful evidence in court. Even more damning is the identification of the DNA of an accused person in cases of sexual assault. And, it should not be completely forgotten that DNA can also be used to exonerate innocent persons. According to some sources the first time DNA was used in a criminal case was to demonstrate that the accused person was not the culprit in a 1986 trial in England.
Huge technological advances have also taken place since the 1970s in electronic surveillance over citizens by the police and other state authorities. Long gone are the days when police had to literally “tap” into telephone landlines in order to intercept and record the private conversations of other persons.Long gone are the days when police had to literally “tap” into telephone landlines in order to intercept and record the private conversations of other persons. Now, with computers and a vast selection of other electronic measures, it is possible to obtain all types of electronic communications remotely, without the targets ever having the slightest clue as to what is taking place. Te main – though certainly not the only – area where this is seen is in the investigation and prosecution of drug trafficking operations.
Cellular telephone technology has proven useful in other ways, as well. For example, cellphones which have a working battery constantly send a signal to the closest cellphone towers even when they are not actually being used. Such signals are always recorded and, if obtained by the police, can be analyzed and interpreted so as to pinpoint, often to within a few feet or metres, where the cellphone was located at a particular time. Such evidence can be very useful in placing a suspect – or at least, his or her phone – in the vicinity of a crime scene or occurrence at a time which is of significance in the investigation.
Just as computers are now powerful tools which aid the police and other state agencies in the investigation of crime and the gathering of evidence, they are also vast receptacles of information which can be retrieved and provided in court to support criminal charges. It is sometimes surprising that persons who have committed crimes will lodge within their computers and similar devices extremely incriminating details and records which, when recovered by police computer specialists, help to prove their guilt in court. It is sometimes surprising that persons who have committed crimes will lodge within their computers and similar devices extremely incriminating details and records which, when recovered by police computer specialists, help to prove their guilt in court. People have been convicted based upon videos, photographs and similar recordings of criminal activity; detailed diaries and journals containing confessions and other descriptions of criminal activity; and financial transactions and records, all found within personal electronic devices.
Our courts have commented a number of times about the special status of computers in our day and age. Because of the vast – almost limitless – amount of private personal information which can be stored within these devices the courts have said they must be treated effectively as separate “places” or receptacles of information under our search and seizure laws. Thus, if the police find a computer as they search a home, car, or other place, they are not entitled to open it and start examining its contents unless they first get permission from a judge in the form of a search warrant. By comparison, if the police find a briefcase, or filing cabinet or locked cupboard door as they search a home or office, they are entitled to open it and search its contents.…if the police find a briefcase, or filing cabinet or locked cupboard door as they search a home or office, they are entitled to open it and search its contents.
Computer Crime
The area where computers are actually central to the offensive conduct itself is in the possession and circulation of child pornography. In past times, accused persons might be prosecuted if they were found in possession of drawings or photographs of children engaged in sexual activities. Now, with computers and the Internet, it is not uncommon for police to discover thousands of images and videos on the computers of persons being investigated for child pornography offences. In fact, it was only about 20 years ago that Parliament first enacted those parts of our Criminal Code which deal with this area of criminal activity and began equipping police with the tools needed to investigate and prosecute these horrible offences.
Conduct of Court proceedings
Technology has also changed a number of ways in which court proceedings take place. One of these is in the area of legal research and the preparation of arguments for court. In the not-so-distant past, lawyers’ offices and courtrooms held large libraries of published case reports. Now, however, this has become relatively rare, because most legal research is conducted using various online databases and computer search tools. Law libraries are shrinking in numbers and size as lawyers, judges and members of the public turn to the Internet and various court and legal websites. Virtually every written decision (and many rulings delivered orally as well) can be found somewhere on one of the databases used by lawyers and judges.
Technology is changing the courtroom in relation to the record-keeping of the proceedings. Until recently, the court staff at every proceeding included a court reporter whose role was to keep a written transcript of everything said by any person while the court was in session. While tape recorders have long provided a “back up” function for the reporters, such recordings were not considered reliable enough to be used on their own. The court reporter’s version of the transcript was considered the official record of the proceedings. Now, however, court reporters are being completely replaced by digital recording equipment operated by the clerk of the court, as governments across the country have decided that these systems are cheaper. As a result, court reporters are disappearing from the scene.
A further use for technology in the courtroom is in the increasing use of video connections in place of personal appearances of some witnesses and sometimes, for accused persons as well. The Criminal Code now allows a party to apply to the trial judge for permission to call a witness to testify by way of a video link…The Criminal Code now allows a party to apply to the trial judge for permission to call a witness to testify by way of a video link. Especially where the witness’s evidence is expected to be of a relatively minor or non-contentious nature, using a video link reduces monetary the costs and the personal inconvenience of travel for the witness.
Similarly, accused persons in custody are now able to make at least some of their court attendances by video link. In many situations, being required to attend in person means the accused must be transported from jail to the courthouse, for even short appearances. They often must then spend the remainder of the day in a small holding cell until the authorities are able to return them to the remand facility. Once back at the jail, the prisoner is subjected to security procedures such as personal search to ensure that he or she has not come into possession of any form of contraband (drugs, weapons, etc.) while away from the institution. Making the appearance by video connection means the accused avoids all of these measures and also reduces public expense.
As technology continues to evolve, advance and change, so too will its use in our courtrooms. However, the basic strength of our court system is its humanity. For all its flaws and failings, our system is still the product of human beings, and still requires direct input, assessment and decision-making by individuals. In the coming years this may be the challenge: maintaining that “human touch” in the face of an increasingly pervasive role of technological advances and tools.
About Charles Davison
