How has technology impacted criminal investigations? Today, technology has affected our global environment in many ways. Technology has created a more advanced society and economy. Today we use technology in every aspect of life. New innovations and technologies help create a safer atmosphere and reduce the crime rate. 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 is more evident today. Technology in criminal justice will continue to challenge us to think about how we transform 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 all had a tremendous impact on criminal investigations and their process. “The word 'forensic' means 'courtroom related'; forensic science is therefore concerned with gathering solid evidence that can be presented in a trial” (Innes 9). Forensic medicine is a science applied specifically to legal issues, whether criminal or civil. “Few fields of science are as widespread and important as forensic science” (Hunter 12). Forensic medicine is the most commonly used science in daily life. It is also a branch of science that integrates other branches of science like biology, chemistry, etc. Since it is used almost daily “No one can dispute the importance of forensic science's contributions to society; the ability to solve a crime is undeniably important” (Hunter 13). Forensics has given a new edge to criminal investigations. "Advancements in science have opened the door to more efficient evidence discovery, however...... middle of paper ...... more helpful in solving a crime because more hair falls out during a physical contact (Mufrin). This would allow for a more accurate analysis than using urine. Hair that comes from the root of your head is more useful than hair that doesn't. Indeed, they provide scientists with more information allowing them to identify the suspect (Murfin). However, the downside of hair analysis is that a scientist must collect at least 25 hairs to correctly identify a person (Murfin). One of the newest future technologies is anti-sweat patches. Sweat patches contain a built-in microchip that detects the presence of medications in the body when you sweat. It can be placed on the skin and worn for up to 14 days (“Drug Testing Technologies: Sweat Patch”). Most people who wear sweat patches are those on probation or those fighting for custody (“Drug Testing Technologies: Sweat Patch”).