Computer Crime Prosecution
Assignment 1:
Search the Internet for articles on computer crime prosecution. Write a one page paper summarizing the article and identify key features of the decision you find in your search.
After answering the questions, save the file with LastnameFirstname_Assignment1 (e.g., JohnSmith_Assignment1) and submit it right back here under Assignment 1 for grading.
Assignments are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday of Week 1
Institutional Affiliation
The Prosecution of Computer Crime by R.E. Bell
According to Bell (2002), criminals have always taken advantage of technological advances. The advent of the gun, telephone, and the automobiles created new opportunities for crime. This would be the same case for computers in society, such that the more they were used, the higher the prevalence of computer-related crimes. Notably, while law enforcement agencies have increased the skill and expertise to handle computer crime, the prosecutors and judges still have a long way to develop a depth of knowledge needed in computer crime prosecution. The article makes a comparison of the U.K. and the U.S. and indicates that the latter has been doing much better in terms of enforcing the related legislation. Bell suggests that it is essential that relevant laws are put into practice to deter other criminals from engaging in the crime.
The article indicates that the low numbers of prosecutions happen due to victims failing to report computer crime. For instance, many financial institutions that have their computer systems attacks will fail to report to avoid being embarrassed. It is essential to increase awareness of victims being more willing to report for intelligence purposes since significant prosecution (Bell, 2002). Apart from increasing legislation to deal with computer crime, the criminal justice system participants will need to be educated and more resources directed to investigatory and prosecution elements. Prosecution authorities need to be equipped with extensive knowledge to understand how computer crime happens. Criminals will surely go to where the money as the criminal prosecutors need to be ready to handle more computer crime prosecutions.
References
Bell, R. E. (2002). The Prosecution of Computer Crime. Journal of Financial Crime, 9(4), 308–325. doi:10.1108/eb026030
