How does law enforcement use science to prevent crime?

New York City crime scene
In this file photo, police crime scene tape is placed near where the body of a youth soccer coach was found outside the Levi's store on October 8, 2012 in New York City.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

In the latest episode of NOVA Science Now airing Wednesday, host David Pogue asks the question, "Can science stop crime?" From the so-called warrior gene to getting ahead of the hackers to predictive policing, how is science aiding law enforcement? And as we continue to learn more about how the criminal mind works, what moral questions arise when we try to stop crime before it happens?

Pogue joins The Daily Circuit Wednesday to discuss the scientific elements of law enforcement. He's in town for an event at the University of Minnesota.

Jeff Brantingham, professor of anthropology at University of California, Los Angeles, will also join the discussion.

"It's not a replacement for police officer's knowledge and skills and not designed to take the officer out of the equation," he told the Associated Press. "It's about putting them in the right time and place for crime prevention."

VIDEO: Can Science Stop Crime?

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