Technological Advances In Criminal Justice: Rejoice, But Reflect
- IJLLR Journal
- 4 days ago
- 1 min read
Dr. Tushita Sharma, Associate Professor, VSLLS, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies—TC, (Accredited NAAC A++; affiliated to GGSIPU, Delhi, Recognised by Bar Council of India).
ABSTRACT
Technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, and these changes show their direct impact on the areas of criminal jurisprudence and the delivery of justice. Updated technology in criminal justice has become a tool not merely in helping improve the accuracy of investigations and increasing positive outcomes for victims of crime, but also in quickening the dispensation of justice. Forensic science has seen tremendous advancements largely thanks to technology. DNA analysis has revolutionised criminal investigations, the accuracy of DNA profiling has exonerated innocent individuals and identified perpetrators in cases that were once unsolvable. Law enforcement now employs an ever-expanding range of biometric and behavioural features—including facial recognition, DNA, heartbeat detection, speech recognition, wrist-vein mapping, iris recognition, gait analysis and palmprint scanning. In the post-pandemic new normal, the advent of virtual courtrooms and online platforms has introduced significant flexibility and accessibility to legal proceedings. In India, the recently enacted Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 have accelerated this digital turn.
This paper analyses the technological changes brought about by India's new criminal law regime while sounding warning bells towards perils that demand vigilant attention: data privacy, executive overreach, evidentiary complexities and ethical concerns.
Keywords: Criminal Jurisprudence, Digital Evidence, DNA Analysis, Biometrics, Virtual Courts, BSA 2023, BNSS 2023, Data Privacy, Algorithmic Justice, Forensic Science.
