Law enforcement often focuses on technology that can aid authorities in the investigation, apprehension, and conviction of criminals. One aspect that is neglected by many in the criminal justice field is the technology developments used by criminals. As technology is advancing on both ends of the spectrum, it is important that authorities and the private security sector not only focus on the advancement of their specific needs, but to follow the progression and utilization of technology by criminals. In each issue of CJI, this section presents up-to-date technology used by law enforcement; in this issue, we decided to focus on the technology employed by criminals. This approach is critical because many of the technology developments used by law enforcement are developed in response to criminal-driven technology. We spotlighted two main areas that have come under scrutiny and whose technology advancements may not be readily accessible by law enforcement.
Eco-terror Technology Advancements
Recent government action aimed at taking down a cell of environmental and animal rights activists from the extremist groups Animal Liberation Front (ALF) and Earth Liberation Front (ELF) has spurred public interest into the activities and technologies of such underground movements. Eleven members of ALF and ELF have pled guilty in the northwest United States to 17 counts of arson, vandalism, and violence, and are currently awaiting sentencing. The eco-terror movement began in 1970s England with a small group of individuals impeding fox hunts, and has grown into an international effort of autonomous cells sharing a common ideology. New splinter groups, most notably Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC), formed alongside these two main groups as disagreements between members surfaced as to which tactics to use. As the movement grew and became more complex and diverse, so did the technology used to intimidate, discourage, and defeat their ideological enemies. The tactics used by the movement were primarily aimed at financially hurting animal testing labs, construction and lumber companies, and restaurants which slaughtered and sold animal parts. They achieved these objectives by destroying company property, shutting down operations, and intimidating employees. The main goal of eco-terror groups is to harass and intimidate businesses into closing all connection to animal testing or anything deemed detrimental to the environment. Vandalism is the most common way eco-terrorists harass these businesses, and they have developed some quite interesting techniques. Besides the frequent use of spray paint on buildings, groups use a technique called toothpicking, which involves jamming a toothpick or hairpin into the exterior locks of a business. This method prevents the business owner or manager from opening the business until the lock is cut off; most external locks are of such a strong nature that the removal often involves a cutting torch. Similar to toothpicking, super glue may be poured into the locking mechanisms, which prevents the lock from properly unlocking. Another method, often used in popular fast food restaurants which slaughter animals for meat, is known as a toilet bomb. A toilet bomb is made by taking a large sponge and soaking it in water; once the sponge is fully soaked, a rope or string is tied around the sponge numerous times and in several directions in an attempt to make the sponge as small as possible. Once fully dried, the string is removed and the sponge stays compact and is then flushed in the public restroom of the business; as the sponge expands in the piping, it shuts off all water flow. The only way to restore water is to manually remove the sponge by breaking the toilet and piping. |
Technology 
