Technology & Digital Tools Flashcards

An agency uses predictive policing software to allocate patrol resources. What is a PRIMARY ethical concern officers should be aware of?

Answer: Algorithmic bias may lead to over-policing of certain communities

Predictive policing algorithms can perpetuate racial or socioeconomic biases present in historical crime data, leading to disproportionate enforcement.

What does 'metadata' in a digital image file typically include?

Answer: Date/time captured, GPS coordinates, and device information

Digital image metadata (EXIF data) typically contains the capture date and time, GPS location, camera model, and settings used.

An officer needs to submit video footage from a body camera as digital evidence. What is the CORRECT procedure for preserving it?

Answer: Transfer it through the agency's official digital evidence management system with a documented chain of custody

Official digital evidence management systems maintain chain of custody, access logs, and integrity verification required for court admissibility.

What is 'two-factor authentication' (2FA) and why do law enforcement agencies require it for system access?

Answer: A security process requiring two separate verification methods, adding a layer of protection against unauthorized access

2FA requires both a password and a second factor such as a code sent to a phone, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access even if a password is compromised.

During a traffic stop, an officer uses the MDT (Mobile Data Terminal) to run a subject's name. The system returns 'no record found.' What should the officer do?

Answer: Verify the name spelling and run additional queries; a negative result doesn't confirm identity

A 'no record found' result may reflect a spelling error, alias, or system limitation; officers should verify identity through additional means before drawing conclusions.

What is the primary purpose of a 'digital evidence hash value' (such as MD5 or SHA-256)?

Answer: To create a unique digital fingerprint that verifies the file has not been altered

A cryptographic hash generates a unique fingerprint of the file; any alteration changes the hash, proving tampering occurred.

An officer discovers a suspect's computer at a crime scene. Before a forensic examiner arrives, what is the BEST action regarding the device?

Answer: Leave it powered on if running, photograph its current state, and document; avoid interacting with it until forensics arrives

Forensic protocols require documenting the device's current state without alteration; improper interaction can destroy volatile memory evidence.