Question

Some people believe that technological innovation helps to reduce crime, while others think that it has the opposite effect. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answer

Crime is undoubtedly an emotive issue and is, therefore, rarely absent from the headlines. One often-debated topic is whether advances in technology have led to an increase or decrease in criminal activity. Personally, I believe that criminal behaviour is mostly driven by economic factors and that technology has little effect on the overall crime rate, either for better or worse.

One type of crime that is reliant upon technology is that of cybercrime. This is a term that covers a range of illegal activities, including credit card fraud, blackmail, and the sale of counterfeit goods. Critics of modern technology argue that the internet encourages the carrying out of such crimes. It allows criminals to operate across national boundaries and to move large amounts of money with relative ease, thereby evading the authorities.

On the other hand, technology also provides the police with new tools with which to investigate crimes. DNA profiling has had a revolutionary effect upon how serious offences are investigated. It has even enabled officers to catch perpetrators of historical crimes that were committed many decades ago. These criminals would never have been caught if it weren't for modern technology.

However, it is worth remembering that criminals and the police have always been involved in a technological game of cat and mouse, as each tries to gain an advantage over the other.

In conclusion, I believe that although the manner in which crime is committed and detected may change, technology does not affect how much crime takes place. Economic factors, rather than technological ones, are the main determinants of criminal activity.

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