Technology and the Law

(Posted on 25/03/11)

Law enforcement and the legal sector as a whole has long since used technology as part of its crime fighting efforts. This week, however, police used a combination of technologically rich gadgets in its search for Sian O'Callaghan, who's been missing for five days. And that technology has yielded one arrest.

O'Callaghan, last seen leaving a night club, remains missing even after hundreds have shown up to participate in search efforts. Detective Superintendent Steve Fulcher said in a press release, "We have made good progress in narrowing the search using a number of technologies and techniques and I believe we are getting very close to identifying Sian's whereabouts". So close are they, an arrest has been made.

Police had sent out a public plea for any information about the missing woman and specifically had mentioned a green Toyota Avensis taxi. It had been seen in the area around the time O'Callaghan went missing. For now, though, that's all law enforcement is releasing, though they do say they are hopeful O'Callaghan will be found safe and unharmed.

Now, police are looking for her handbag or various items known to be in that handbag, including a Tesco Clubcard key fob, a small animal with fur keyring, lip gloss and a small plastic Kinder egg, yellow in coloring.

Her family publicly thanked everyone for their help so far as they continue to search for their "beautiful girl". A £40,000 reward has been offered for information leading to O'Callaghan.

There's been no mention of legal representation for the person who is now in police custody.