Measuring criminal justice technology outputs: The case of Title III wiretap productivity, 1987-2005

This analysis considers outputs produced by Title III electronic wiretaps. Based on 1987-2005 data, wiretap productivity is assessed by examining the number of wiretaps, places wiretaps are installed, numbers of people whose communications are intercepted, the number of intercepted communications, the number of communications labeled incriminating, the arrests and convictions linked to wiretaps, and the relationships among arrests and convictions. Wiretapping is focused mostly on narcotics violations. The numbers of people, interceptions, and incriminating interceptions increased. One-fifth of intercepted communications were classified as incriminating. Incriminating information is linked to arrests and convictions that unfold over time. The more people intercepted, the more arrests result, but convictions decline over time. Arrests are driven by the number of intercepted persons. Convictions are driven by the number of incriminating interceptions. Two simultaneous but opposing operations were in place by 2005: big increases in the number of intercepted communications in 2003 through 2005; and by 2005, overall declines in the measured productivity of wiretaps.