Ep 41. Police Pursuit

Modern Marvels season 11 episode 41 delves into the world of police pursuit and explores the modern technology and techniques used to catch criminals on the run. The episode starts off by providing an overview of the history of police pursuit, dating back to the early twentieth century when police officers would chase criminals on foot or horseback. The show then jumps to modern-day with high-speed car chases, helicopters, and drones used to apprehend fugitives.

The episode highlights the importance of communication in police pursuit and explores how it has evolved over the years. The show explains how radio communication was once used, but now cutting-edge technologies like GPS and vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems help law enforcement teams to perform efficiently and safely.

The episode also explores the newest technology in police pursuit: drones. The show explains how drones have been used for surveillance during live police pursuits. The show also highlights the use of drones in non-live situations, such as when mapping areas that a fugitive may be in, surveilling public areas, or even assisting in hostage situations.

Modern Marvels season 11 episode 41 also showcases various vehicles used in police pursuits. The episode highlights the differences between traditional squad cars and high-speed pursuit vehicles such as the Chevrolet Camaro SS and the Ford Mustang GT. The episode features interviews with experts who explain how these vehicles are designed for high-performance situations and how they are sometimes specially equipped to be able to perform stunts and other maneuvers that are essential in making sure the perpetrator is apprehended.

The episode also explores how law enforcement teams use technology to track down fugitives. The show explains how license plate readers, facial recognition software, and CCTV are used together to identify and locate suspects. The show highlights the cooperation between private companies and police departments to make sure that the technology is always up to date and that there are no flaws in the system.

The episode also showcases the challenges and risks involved in police pursuit. The show explains how every pursuit is unique and that there are no set protocols for every situation. The risks involved with high-speed chases are highlighted, such as accidents, injuries, and fatalities by both the police officer and the suspect. The episode interviews law enforcement agencies and provides first-hand experiences of challenges faced during pursuits.

Lastly, the episode highlights how science is used in police pursuits, with the use of forensic technology and crime lab analysis offering clues. The episode explains the difference between traditional fingerprint and DNA evidence vs digital evidence, such as cell phone tower pings, GPS data, and social media activity. The show also highlights how these data points can be used in conjunction with other technologies, such as dashcam and bodycam footage, to build a more comprehensive timeline of events and ultimately secure convictions.

Overall, Modern Marvels season 11 episode 41 "Police Pursuit" offers insight into the modern technology and techniques used in law enforcement to apprehend fugitives. The episode explores the history of police pursuit before diving into the most recent technology used in high-speed chases. The episode also highlights the risks and challenges of police pursuit, such as physical endurance.