There have been many news specials citing the growing use of video cameras used for surveillance and crime prevention, and exposes of the federal program which tracked phone call usage habits to prevent terrorism. Most people however are unaware of the growing use of position tracking technology used to pinpoint criminals.

The surprising facts are:

• Modern cell phones incorporate GPS and cell tower triangulation technology making almost any person who owns a cell phone locatable.

• Enhanced 911 systems receive telemetry data from modern cell phones. If you call 911 you now automatically transmit your location to the police.

• GPS tracking devices can be placed on your vehicle without your consent if you drive a company, or government owned vehicle.

• GPS tracking devices are now being placed on criminal offenders who are on house arrest, probation, parole, or involved in other community corrections programs.

Overview

What exactly is GPS and GIS?

GPS (Global Positioning System) is a technology that was developed by the United States Department of Defense. It is a system of 24 earth orbiting satellites which provide telemetry data to GPS receivers.  While the system was developed for use in military applications in the 1980’s, in 1994 the system was opened for public use by President Bill Clinton. In May of 2000 the system was fully made available for public use. (2007, United States Coast Guard).

GIS (Geographic Information System), in the context it is used here, is any computer system capable of analysis, storage, and retrieval of data related to geography. GPS is a
GIS technology, however not all GIS technologies use GPS. For example some cellular phone systems use cell tower triangulation technology independent of the GPS system to determine a user’s coordinates.  GIS technologies like radio beacons have been used since the early 1900’s, after the invention of radio. Some might even consider technologies like lighthouses and compasses a form of GIS technology.

How is GPS and GIS used?

GPS is most synonymous with roadway navigation systems used in modern automobiles, and portable GPS receivers used for camping and hiking. Both are examples of commercial applications that developed in the late 1990’s. GPS is also used by the military in ships, airplanes, and even smart bombs.

GPS in now being used more and more in tracking applications, such as for tracking expensive cargo, tracking commercial truck fleets, and live saving beacon devices to help located stranded mountain climbers and hikers.

Recently GPS tracking devices have been installed in high end rental cars. The tracking devices can detect if the customer has exceeded the speed limit or other reckless driving like taking the vehicle off road. These tracking devices are also used to recover stolen vehicles and track unsuspecting criminals. (Hunter, 2002)

GPS technology has also been combined with LOJACK and other theft deterrent systems to assist authorities in locating stolen vehicles. The coordinates are uploaded to a central server which law enforcement officials can access to determine to location of the stolen vehicle. The system also engages a radio beacon transmitter located on the vehicle.

Modern wireless phones now incorporate GIS technology. Some wireless phones use cell tower triangulation to determine coordinates. This system determines signal strength to locate how far the user is away from the tower. If you have three towers within range, the combination can be used to determine the user’s coordinates within a few feet. Some other wireless phones use GPS satellite technology to get a “fix” or use a combination of triangulation and GPS.

GPS and GIS technologies embedded in cellular phones can save lives. Wireless Enhanced 911 is a system whereby the coordinates as determined by GPS or cell tower triangulation is transmitted to the authorities when a 911 call is made. Even if the user cannot speak, police and rescue can determine where the call is originating from. Many victims of serious accidents, carjacking, and kidnapping have been found using this innovative technology.

Criminals who use cellular phones such as drug dealers have been located using embedded GPS and GIS with the help of the criminal’s service provider. Typically a warrant is required to obtain this information just like in the case of a traditional phone tapping.

Clearly, GPS and GIS technologies can benefit the efforts of law enforcement. In fact GPS and GIS technologies are now used in a wide spectrum of criminal justice and law enforcement applications from catching criminals to tracking convicted offenders.

For example, GPS technology was used in evidence to prosecute serial killer Robert Yates. Forensic technicians were able to analyze a portable GPS receiver used by Yates to determine his whereabouts. (Leipnik, Patrick, 2003)

GPS and GIS is currently being used to track offenders who are a part of house arrest and probation programs. As soon as an offender steps beyond a specified perimeter the authorities are immediately notified.  If an offender flees, coordinates will be transmitted and the offender can be tracked and retrieved.

What are the ethical implications of GPS and GIS tracking technology?

Some see the use of GPS and GIS tracking systems as an invasion of privacy and fear that governments and private businesses can use the technology to prevent the freedom of association, freedom of assembly, and the freedom to travel.

Take for example, a truck driver who works for McDonald’s stops for lunch. Her truck is linked into a GPS tracking system. Her employer is notified that she stops for lunch frequently at Burger King. Will this information be used against the truck driver? Could she loose an opportunity for promotion or perhaps be fired?

Another hypothetical example, GPS technology is being used to track offenders on probation and house arrest. Say a person was arrested for political reasons perhaps for participating in a protest against a dictatorship in a rouge nation. As a part of the punishment the person was sentenced to wear a transmitter and as soon as they came in contact with others in the political movement who have also been sentenced to wear the same transmitters, they would be rearrested.

What will the future hold?

As with any technology, the questions of ethics will be solved by the governments and the possibility to exploit the technology will always exist.

In the future I see GPS and GIS technology being used to erect prisons without walls. Severe and violent offenders might be sentenced to live away from the community and will be outfitted with devices that would disable them if they attempted to leave a secure perimeter.

Child predators might be outfitted with tracking devices that will signal an alert and prevent them coming near schools, playgrounds, daycares, and parks. DUI offenders will be restricted from liquor stores and bars and perpetrators of domestic violence will be restricted from coming near their victim.

Some believe that tracking technology is mentioned in religious prophecies, that we will all be forced to wear transmitters and the government will know our locations and what we are up to at all times.

Conclusion

The potential for use and abuse exists with any technology. GPS and GIS technology is used to track stolen property, to find missing people and persons in danger,  ensure that criminals are where they are suppose to be, and as an everyday application to simply help us find our way around town.

GPS and GIS technology can also be abused and used to track and spy and persons who are not criminals or perhaps even used to target and kill people.  As long was we maintain ethical standards, this technology will flourish as an overall aide to humanity.

Resources for learning more about GPS and GIS

GPS.GOV

On the Internet visit the official U.S. Government website for GPS technology at http://www.gps.gov. This website is an excellent resource for learning about the history of the Global Positioning System and how everyday people can make use of the multi million dollar system our tax dollars paid for.

GIS in Law Enforcement: Implementation Issues and Case Studies

An excellent book by Mark Leipnik and Donald Patrick which shows how GPS technology is being used to nab criminals. Published in 2003, so some of the content is a little stale since technology moves at a rapid pace.

GPS for Dummies

Great book by Joel McNamara that explains consumer applications of GPS technology in simple terms. A part of the “for dummies” series of books.

Bibliography

Ball, Kirstie.; Webster, Frank. (2003). The Intensification of Surveillance: Crime,     Terrorism and Warfare in the Information Age. Sterling, VA: Pluto Press.

El-Rabbany, Ahmed. (2002). Introduction to GPS: The Global Positioning System.     Boston: Artech House, Inc.

Hunter, Richard. (2002). World Without Secrets: Business, Crime, and Privacy in the     Age of Ubiquitous Computing. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Leipnik, Mark R; Albert, Donald Patrick. (2003). GIS in Law Enforcement:     Implementation Issues and Case Studies. New York: CRC Press.

McNamara, Joel. (2004). GPS for Dummies. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

United States Coast Guard. (2007). Global Positioning System. Website
http://www.gps.gov.

APA Citation:
Smith, Nathan. M. (2007). GPS GIS and Position Tracking Technology Privacy and Law Enforcement.
Retrieved September 8, 2008, from http://www.computer-forensic-technician.com/wordpress/gps-gis-and-position-tracking-technology-privacy-and-law-enforcement/.