Law Enforcement and the Social Media Term Paper

data collection includes survey form, structured interviews using closed ended questions, and gathering information regarding a sample size appropriate to analyze and draw conclusion on the basis of the research results. The statistical techniques are used for data analysis to analyze collected data in quantitative research methods. The qualitative data is gathered through case study method and open ended question of an unstructured interview from notable sample. The qualitative methods of research are also equally popular in understating the ignored aspects of a topic. The research question discussed below is addressed on the basis of qualitative and quantitates research methodology.

Question 1:

What is the role of social media in affecting law enforcement?

The usage of internet has increased over the past years. Internet technology has encouraged a revolutionary change. Starting form the desktop computers, laptops, handheld computers, to a variety of internet enabled cell phones has created a huge impact on technology as well as on internet. The human requirements for social and personal interactions has also transformed by extensively using internet. The inventions of social media for university students has not only taken an advanced turn but also taken a number of societalgroups into its folds. However the increased number of usage has created positive and negative impacts on our society. At the same time it has also taken a spread towards law enforcement. The unregulated nature of social media has instigated various issues in society particularly for the law enforcement agencies. The users of social media do not recognize the social impact of their behavior used on social mediaand as a result the law enforcement agencies face furious challenges (Prot, & Anderson, 2013).

The research adopts quantitative method to measure the level of social media's influence on human behaviors. The research incorporates a survey from selected sample of individuals. The sample is equally divided into age groups and gender. The users of social media will be asked to define an approximate number of hours spent using social media and the medium e.g. laptop, smartphone, or tablet used to access social media. The survey form will be divided into four categories for investigation personal attributes, usage of social media, awareness of laws regulating concerning social media and offensive content, and response in terms of certain offensive materials shared or posted on the walls.The results of the survey will be assessed using quantitative techniques. The survey design will facilitate the analysis of required information. It is also notable that the survey is conducted using social media in order to gain increased insight information for the influence of social media on its users and as a result on the law enforcement agencies. The anonymity of survey participants will also be maintained in order to reflect the conformity with the qualitative analysis research requirements.

Question 2:

Level of training and awareness in law enforcement officials regarding role of social media in modern criminology

Frank, Cheng, and Pun (2011) suggest that open source investigations can be done thorough using social media. However training awareness of the techniques is also required. The research is focused to assess the level of awareness regarding the techniques used to investigate using social media sites. It will also include a structured interview questioner from various law enforcement officials in agencies. Large number of social media users post substantial amount of posts and materials including pictures and videos on their walls. The investigation of law enforcement agencies can skim through the profile information as well as the wall posts to obtain a clue regarding criminals. The level of awareness among investigation agencies to utilize such information is assessed in the current study. Law enforcement agencies and their officials require a certain level of training to perform modernized open source search for criminals. It is further required to estimate that if the law enforcement professionals are also aware of the techniques for identification of potential crimes through social media likes, comments, and affiliation. It is learnt that universities, professional organizations, and government agencies are using sophisticated techniques to use social media websites as a tool to enhance law enforcement performance.

The research will incorporate quantitative research method to estimate the level of awareness based on a survey form. The survey results will be analyzed using statistical techniques to determine the level of awareness and trainings offered to law enforcement….....