Bait Car

Bait Car

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Bait Car

Telematic is a new technology where communication and information technologies are combined into one process. One of the most popular or well known telematic’s is GPS while another is navigation systems, such as OnStar. Telematics allow wireless communications opening the possibilities to many new amazing communication and information technologies. Through telematics, a driver an access the internet from the vehicle or they can watch a television show. The possibilities are endless. In law enforcement this type of tool provides a wealth of communication opportunities which improve officer safety and investigatory capabilities while also providing a wealth of information.

When a vehicle has GPS or a navigation system it can provide police with information for their investigation, such as the last location of the car or its current location. Another new tool being used by police involving telematics is the bait car. Auto theft is a growing crime. A bait car, also called a decoy car, is a vehicle used by a law enforcement agency to capture car thieves (SCADA, 2008). In other words police will place a nice car in an areas that s notorious for car thieves. Once the thief is in the car, police will use remote or wireless capabilities to trap the thief n the car or to shut the car down so it cannot be stolen. The thief is caught red handed trying to steal the bait car.

Baits cars operate through a remote control kill devise that operates wirelessly. The remote control or immobilizer employs communication and information technologies (telematics) in order to shut the car down once it communicates with the device installed in the bait car. The bait car will provide all types of information which will include video evidence of the thief trying to steal the car and data on when the thief broke into the car. This valuable tool not only catches thief’s in the area it acts as a deterrent for thief’s fearful they may be trying to steal a bait car.

Telematics are also used in other areas of law enforcement. A Lo-Jack is another telematic technology where a tracker or GPS device is place on a vehicle so it can be tracked by police. More commonly police will place a Lo-Jack on the vehicle of dangerous suspects in order to locate evidence. For example if a criminal is suspected of killing a series of woman in a city, police will place a Lo-Jack on their car in order to track where they go to prevent further victims or to locate evidence, such as victim bodies. A Lo-Jack is also commonly placed in police cars to track their locations. If a police car where to go missing police could use the Lo-Jack to track the car.

Police use many other types of GPS technologies to communicate with diaptachers and other police officers. Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) is another technology under telematics. AVI is used for wireless access or keyless entry into a car. Both the police and the consumer commonly use this telematic for convenience. Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology is a new technology being employed by only a few law enforcement agencies in the country (Kuchinskas, 2012). This technology allows two cars to communicate autonomously.

Another way telematics can be used in an investigation is through a device being installed in newer vehicle. These devices, known as black boxes, provide police with information concerning any collision simplifying the investigation process for the car accident. The black box will tell police when the car braked and provide data on the time of the impact as well as the level of impact. The black box will also provide information about the car such as traction control or harsh braking as well as acceleration of the car and whether or not the river was wearing a seatbelt. The black box is also used to keep law enforcement safe. The information provided by the black box can keep officers safe in the field.

Technology is constantly evolving a changing every day making it easier for police officers to do their job. When police can communicate with dispatch or contact other police officers using wireless technologies or if police can track the actions of a suspect, it simplifies their jobs. Telematics is a technology that sends, receives, and stores information from a source with the intent to monitor or control that source (Yates, 2014). When police can obtain information from telematic technologies catching the criminal is far easier and so is proving their guilt. The bait car is one new tool being deployed by police to successfully trap and try car thieves for their crimes.

References

Kuchinskas, S. (2012). Telematics and legal issues with V2V technology. Retrieved August 4,

2014 from http://analysis.telematicsupdate.com/v2x-safety/telematics-and-legal-issues-v2v

SCADA. (2008). Bait Car: A car that catch criminals. Retrieved August 4, 2014 from

http://tech.nakedmaya.com/2008/09/bait-car-a-car-that-catch-a-criminals/

Yates, T. (2014). Can this police driving 'black box' keep your officers alive? Retrieved August

4, 2014 from http://www.policeone.com/Officer-Safety/articles/7404077-Can-this-police-driv