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When Palm Bay police stop suspected drunk drivers, they forward documents to Judge David Silverman and then hold a Skype conference call to obtain a warrant to draw blood, said Cpl. Darin Morgan, a drug recognition expert with the Palm Bay police.

"It's like a virtual office and courtroom," Morgan said. "If an officer can stay within his patrol zone instead of having to drive to the courthouse or the judge's house to obtain the warrant, it saves time and increases the officer's ability to protect the public."

Morgan says the process can be completed in as little as 30 minutes. "The goal is get the most accurate capture of evidence closest to the time of the incident and our experience using Skype helps us do that," he added. "When it comes to impairment, time is of the essence."

The system proves a valuable aid for police departments nationwide, which complain that by the time they have permission to test people suspected of DUI, the booze may have passed through the body. But it is likely to be challenged by defense lawyers, Morgan admits, but he believes it will pass legal muster.

The technique highlights the growing use of technology in law enforcement. With the growing use of social media and mobile devices, police and prosecutors are finding a treasure trove of information. For instance, prosecutors, especially those focused on criminals, are using Facebook and Twitter to build cases against gang members, while in January, California's Supreme Court issued a ruling that lets police search an arrested person's cell phone without a warrant.

But there have been drawbacks as well. Cell phones have been increasingly popping up in prisons, allowing convicts to communicate and orchestrate gang activities, violent crimes and drug trafficking with the outside world. And earlier this week, a group of U.S. lawmakers asked Apple, Google and other handset makers to pull apps that share information about police DUI checkpoints, citing public safety concerns about drunk driving.

Palm Bay, a city of 100,000 people midway between Miami and Jacksonville, is now working to use the system for other suspected crimes, and will work with the Brevard County court system to allow the process to be used by other law enforcement agencies.