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64 Comments
Original air date:
10.31.07
Serving on the Oakland, California police department is no easy task—on average, the department responds to three firearm-related crimes each day. Considering that many residents don't inform the police of gunshots they have heard, how do the police keep track?
Enter Shotspotter, a 10-year old Silicon Valley technology that uses audio sensors installed around the city to pinpoint the exact location of gunshots using the concept of "time of arrival." Depending on the location of a gunshot, its sound waves will reach various sensors at different times. After analyzing the time of sound arrival at each sensor, the software puts together a picture of exactly where the gun went off, and provides this information to the police within seconds. Oakland is one of twenty cities currently using Shotspotter , and while it's unknown exactly how the technology affects crime rates, the police find it quite promising.
Ride along with host Adam Rogers as he spends an evening with an Oakland police officer and observes first-hand how the technology makes the job easier. You'll hear from a Shotspotter engineer about the technology and how it discerns gunshots from similar sounds, like firecrackers. (If you want to learn more about how sound profiles from various objects compare with each other, check out our interactive online graphic.) And lest you think that sound waves can't be used for highly enjoyable—even culinary—pursuits, read also about a group of students who have found a way to use sound to determine the sweetness of uncut watermelons. It's all here on WIRED Science.
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11.1.07 6:35 AM PDT
NE
Does anyone get to decide if society wants law enforcement to use this technology? Or do the police just get to use whatever on the masses when they deem its necessary?
11.1.07 6:55 AM PDT
Howard Simms, Sr.
I really liked the program from last night called "ShotSpotter". I want you guys to send this technology information to the Philadelphia Police Department; Courtesy of Howard Simms of Philadelphia,
Pa.
Keep up the great work and programs.
4.5.08 10:40 PM PDT
R. Lee
This is very primitive if that is all you can do. There is a doppler trace,that would create a signature of movement in a drive by and also frequencys and sounds such as those made by an ACP or by a rifle ejecting cartridges that could be picked up by high quality equipment.
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