How has technology influenced criminal investigations?Today, technology has influenced our global environment in several ways. Technology has created a more advanced society and economy. We use technology in every aspect of life today. New innovations and technologies help create a safer atmosphere and reduce crime rates. Technology is the use and knowledge of techniques or systems of these things. The use of technology in the criminal justice system is not new but it is more evident today. Technology in criminal justice will continue to challenge us to think about how to turn information into knowledge. Thanks to new technologies, criminal investigations are able to maintain and improve their processes. Forensic science, DNA and other future technologies have had a huge impact on criminal investigations and their prosecution. “The word 'forensic' means “connected with the courtroom”; therefore forensic science is concerned, therefore, with collecting concrete evidence that can be presented in a trial” (Innes 9). Forensic science is a science that applies specifically to legal issues, both criminal and civil. “Few areas in the realm of science are as widespread and important as forensic science” (Hunter 12). Forensic medicine is the most commonly used science in everyday life. It is also a branch of science that incorporates other branches of science such as biology, chemistry, etc. Since it is used almost every day “No one can dispute the importance of the contributions made to society by forensic science; the ability to solve crime is undeniably important” (Hunter 13). Forensic science has given a new edge to criminal investigations. “Advances in science have opened the door to more effective evidence discovery, however… middle of paper… helps more in solving a crime because more hair falls out during physical contact (Mufrin). This would result in a more accurate analysis than using urine. Hair that comes from the root of the head is more useful than hair that doesn't. This is because they give scientists more evidence with which to identify the suspect (Murfin). However, a disadvantage of hair analysis is that a scientist must collect at least 25 hairs to correctly identify a person (Murfin). One of the latest future technologies is sweat patches. Sweat patches contain an embedded microchip that detects the presence of medications in your body as you sweat. It can be placed on the skin and worn for up to 14 days ("Drug Testing Technologies: Sweat Patches"). Most people who wear sweat patches are people on probation or involved in a custody battle ("Drug Testing Technologies: Sweat Patches”).