Authors
Risika Das
Abstract
Despite the popularity of visual surveillance, evidence of its crime prevention capabilities is inconclusive. Research has primarily reported the “mixed effect” of visual surveillance technology without explaining this. The present study makes an attempt to contribute to the literature on visual surveillance in particular and surveillance technologies in general by testing three hypothesis – Visual surveillance does not affect personal security, there is a positive correlation between installing visual surveillance and the reduction of crime in an area and there is a positive correlation between the use of visual surveillance and intercepting criminals. The study begins with an examination of what constitutes contemporary visual culture and then goes on to explain its importance as well as the necessity for conceptual clarity in order to grasp the concept of visual surveillance. Various theoretical frameworks are elaborated to offer readers an understanding of what the researcher is talking about, such as rational choice theory and routine activities theory. Research methodology of statistics and descriptive analysis has been utilised to reach conclusive results about the relationship of visual surveillance, reduction of crime, and apprehension of criminals. The researcher has brought forward correlation and regression analysis to shed light on the facts of India's current surveillance scenario. The researcher has attempted to bring forward various ideas like the CSI effect and blind camera syndrome to the forefront of people’s awareness in the study's conclusion. The conclusion drawn from the research has resulted in the understanding that visual surveillance technologies have no significance in society unless it is backed by other factors like solid laws, monitoring, data storage, placement of cameras, panning of cameras, and much more, for such technologies to yield the anticipated results. Keywords: Surveillance, CCTV, Security Management, Criminology.
Introduction
From the moment we get up and go to work or school until the moment we return to our homes, we watch television, visit all kinds of websites and social networks on our computer, laptop or even mobile phone, and are being watched by CCTV cameras. At the same time, we take the railway, shop or walk through the streets. We see all kinds of advertisements in newspapers and magazines and on billboards. Hence, we live through images. Not only do we consume these images, but increasingly we are producing these images (Bekkers and Moody, 2014). We take photographs or make videos with our digital camera and mobile phone, put them on YouTube or send them to our friends with whom we Twitter. We create our website or blog. This omnipresent penetration of visual events in our daily life and work has been described in terms of an emerging visual culture.
The Charter for a Democratic Use of Video-Surveillance, 2010 summarises a useful overview of the issues at hand as well as a set of principles and measures to ensure that citizens' rights are protected when CCTV systems are used.
These are some of them:
• Necessity: The usage of camera systems must be scientifically justified, ideally by a third party. It is necessary to outline goals and expected outcomes.
• Adequacy: CCTV equipment must be proportionate to the problem it is meant to solve. "Technology should respond to specified objectives without going beyond them," says the report. Data should be safeguarded, and the amount of time it is kept should be explicitly defined.
• Transparency: Citizens should know what a CCTV system's goals are, how much it costs to build and operate, what areas are being surveyed, and what the outcomes are. Reports should be issued on a frequent basis so that citizens can make well-informed decisions.
• Accountability: Those in control of public CCTV systems, whether administered by the Government or private companies, should be identified and held accountable to the public.
• Independent oversight: A third party should be in charge of ensuring that systems respect the rights of the public and fulfil their stated goals. Citizens should, in theory, have a say in the oversight process.
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How to cite this article?
| APA Style | Das, Risika. “Criminological Analysis of Visual Surveillance.” Academic Journal of Forensic Science, vol. 5, no. 2, Oct. 2022, pp. 1–7. |
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