Technology Forces At Work

Task Force Report: Science and Technology

This report presents study results and recommendation intended to illustrate the potential contributions of science and technology to crime control. The report supplements and amplifies the discussion of science and technology in the general report of the President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice, entitled "The Challenge of Crime in a Free Society." Two chapters address the application of technology in police apprehension of criminals. Topics considered are the use of technology to reduce police response time, means to modernize the command and control process, and how to relieve the radio frequency congestion in most large police departments. Another chapter discusses aspects of court management, corrections, and crime prevention. The court- management discussion focuses on delay reduction in case processing. Two aspects of corrections addressed are the use of programmed instruction as a rehabilitation aid, and the use of statistical techniques to aid in correctional decisionmaking. Auto ignition redesign and street lighting are discussed as technological means to reduce crime opportunities. A chapter examines the uses of systems analysis for the study of the entire criminal justice system as an integrated whole. One chapter considers the potential role of modern information technology in the development of an integrated criminal justice information system. The final chapter outlines a program of research and development by which the Federal Government can stimulate a major infusion of science and technology into the criminal justice process and counter the broader problems of crime control.

Resources in Education

Examination of the U.S. Air Force's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Workforce Needs in the Future and Its Strategy to Meet Those Needs

The Air Force requires technical skills and expertise across the entire range of activities and processes associated with the development, fielding, and employment of air, space, and cyber operational capabilities. The growing complexity of both traditional and emerging missions is placing new demands on education, training, career development, system acquisition, platform sustainment, and development of operational systems. While in the past the Air Force's technologically intensive mission has been highly attractive to individuals educated in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, force reductions, ongoing military operations, and budget pressures are creating new challenges for attracting and managing personnel with the needed technical skills. Assessments of recent development and acquisition process failures have identified a loss of technical competence within the Air Force (that is, in house or organic competence, as opposed to contractor support) as an underlying problem. These challenges come at a time of increased competition for technical graduates who are U.S. citizens, an aging industry and government workforce, and consolidations of the industrial base that supports military systems. In response to a request from the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Science, Technology, and Engineering, the National Research Council conducted five fact-finding meetings at which senior Air Force commanders in the science and engineering, acquisition, test, operations, and logistics domains provided assessments of the adequacy of the current workforce in terms of quality and quantity.