The scientific analysis of evidence is now essential to modern law enforcement, helping to close cases faster with irrefutable facts and data. Managing this vast amount of information, though, requires special technology so the collection, storage, and sharing of information is efficient and above reproach. A forensic information management system (FIMS) tailored for forensic investigation provides the end-to-end support that law enforcement needs, from gathering information to prosecution.
As times change, so should technology
Crime lab personnel are very familiar with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), often using it to manage the tracking of samples and related data throughout their laboratory life cycle. Nearly every forensic laboratory has some type of automated technology for managing data and reports—but that’s no longer enough.
Forward-thinking organizations are now realizing information management doesn’t need to be restricted to the lab. As scientific procedure and evidence expands into more arenas, from DNA testing and toxicology to ballistics, facial recognition, and forensic analysis of social media accounts, the dark web, and computer hard drives, the management of this information also must progress. The days of one cardboard evidence box, the mainstay of so many TV crime dramas, are long gone.
Fortunately, FIMS have evolved to handle the specific needs of forensic laboratorians, as well as other stakeholders involved in cases, from crime scene, property warehouse, and medical examiner, to law enforcement and legal prosecution. FIMS apply to more than microscopes and blood samples.
A closer look at FIMS capabilities
No matter the type of crime, as soon as a complaint is filed or law enforcement officers arrive on the scene, information is collected. A FIMS maintains an unassailable electronic chain of evidence custody— protecting the information until conviction or exoneration of the suspect(s). Numerous people working on the case, from investigators to prosecutors, will likely need to access the information. A FIMS provides a safe way for individuals to access the information without jeopardizing the validity of samples or data. Chain of custody is documented, restricting unnecessary access and eliminating risks of sample deterioration or contamination.
Besides evidence, investigators may collect information about the scene, such as weather conditions, lighting, traffic, or bystanders present. A modern FIMS, like LabVantage's Forensic Navigator, allows officers to digitally collect a wide range of relevant information and observations.
Inside the crime lab, specialists, from those studying fingerprints to experts in DNA and firearms, will all benefit from a FIMS as it supports documentation of details and can integrate with national databases, such as the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), and the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) where permitted.
The FIMS also tracks and manages storage of property, from evidence to crime scene photos, sketches, and reports gathered during the investigation. All physical items, big or small, can be catalogued and assigned a storage location with access or movement of items tracked. Such details prove valuable for cases that span years and amass huge volumes of evidence. Manual systems simply cannot keep pace with the scope of major cases.
Medical examiners and forensic pathologists add to the data volume with their examinations of human remains and findings on the cause of death. Their highly technical notes, as well as final reports, need to be documented and stored electronically so they can be easily accessed by the investigation team, including the legal team. The forensic record can be vast and complex.
The data that started with a crime flows all the way through to legal proceedings and helps officials make critical decisions, such as if there is enough evidence to charge a suspect, consider any mitigating circumstances, and what witnesses may be called to testify. Only an advanced FIMS like Forensic Navigator, built specifically for the needs of law enforcement, can manage such a wide range of data and information types.
While a number of point solutions have been developed to address law enforcement challenges at specific stages, many are limited and lack the ability to run seamlessly on any web browser, using HTML5 which is becoming the standard in the US. Disparate solutions cause redundancies and can lead to discrepancies. Gaps in information flow, from one team to the next, can lead to doubts and weaknesses in the case.
As law enforcement teams face increased pressure to resolve cases expediently, while using fewer resources, many are seeing the value of turning to technology like a FIMS to help them be more productive and efficient.
From data collection to science and insights
If you find yourself in the market for a FIMS, there are a few key characteristics to look for to ensure accuracy and increased efficiency.
- Modern technology: A single-platform FIMS addressing the full forensic life cycle should run natively on the latest HTML5 standard and leverage forensic intelligence and predictive analytics through artificial intelligence applications.
- Data collection: The selected FIMS should be streamlined and simplified for technicians and bench users. The laboratory equipment interface must capture data directly from equipment, reducing the amount of manual work needed and minimizing data entry errors. This helps save time and lowers the resource costs for both system users and administrators. Most importantly, it helps accelerate investigations, implementing a frictionless exchange of insights from one end of the law enforcement agency to the other.
- AI-driven insights: Built-in quality management and forensic intelligence can add a higher level of investigative insights and analysis. AI capabilities help spot trends, identify overlaps in cases, and quickly search vast amounts of records looking for specific names, crime scene details, or modes of operation. Such powerful search abilities can help investigators find correlations that could easily be missed by departments with limited staffing resources. While technology can’t replace the work of individuals, it can help personnel work more efficiently, while adhering to strict protocols.
- Highly secure: Given the sensitive nature of investigative data, as well as the legal implications, the selected FIMS must be designed and tested to optimum cybersecurity standards. The platform should encrypt all data and securely protect all evidentiary information in one solution.
- Seamless information flows: The platform should avoid siloing data. Instead, it should create seamless information flows—from evidence collection, evidence storage, evidence analysis, and capturing and tracking leads, to lab testing, case compilation, and court proceedings. All of the information related to a case must be in one place. Investigators should not have to hunt for data, risk paper-based notes being lost, or need to access multiple solutions to plan a legal strategy.
- Browser-agnostic web portal: This is perhaps one of the most valuable features of a FIMS. It's this portal that allows seamless information flows. For example, using the portal, investigators can ask lab personnel for specific tests. Results can then be shared, eliminating the need for extra trips, calls, or emails back to the lab. Officers should also be able to easily follow the status of the evidence as it moves through the testing process. This saves time and keeps officers highly productive, pursuing the most promising leads and not wasting time on those without data.
- Bonus capabilities: It is considered a bonus if your FIMS can also be used to communicate about investigative leads, such as CODIS/NIBIN/AFIS hits, and can provide instructions to property management personnel about disposition decisions. Another capability to look for in a FIMS applies to tracking sexual assault kits from the hospital or sexual assault treatment center through testing. Allowing survivors access so they can stay informed and assured that progress is being made on their case is an incredibly valuable feature.
Closing arguments
Law enforcement agencies today are stretched thin and face tremendous pressure to resolve cases faster. Investigators on the scene to prosecutors preparing their cases face a wide range of data and information needs. While lab results are an important part of investigations, many more types of information are part of the process, and many stakeholders are involved. Forward-thinking organizations have learned the value of using a FIMS to manage the collection, storage, and sharing of information.
FIMS solutions like LabVantage Forensic Navigator provide a highly reliable solution for managing the full platform needs of law enforcement. Organizations of all sizes can take advantage of FIMS to help accelerate the investigative process, store information, and make it easily accessible. With the help of this time-saving tool, law enforcement agencies can confidently close cases and bring justice to their communities.