The rapid growth and advancement of technology and tools in forensic analysis has streamlined the preservation of evidence from the crime scene to the courtroom. The credibility of evidence through effective crime scene management can play a critical role in case presentation.

Evidence, however, evolves as technology does. Much like other sectors of the policing profession, crime scene personnel are faced with new types of evidence and limited guidance on protecting items after collection. Investigators are quickly evolving their skill sets to process data-based evidence items, including advanced video surveillance footage, social media content, and information from web-based platforms.

To assist in this complex evidence collection process, companies have enhanced or created new crime scene and evidence management tools that will effectively serve police officers’ needs in a digital age.

Case Management

In present times, evidence is often in a digital format. Geospatial Technologies’ IntelNexus application provides investigative units the ability to securely store digital files of any kind within its database.

Prior to releasing IntelNexus, Geospatial Technologies’ researchers discovered that most other applications on the market were case management software and not designed to adhere to 28 CFR Part 23 guidelines. Originally conceived as a joint project between crime analysts, members from the Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Units, and Geospatial Technologies, IntelNexus was created to fill this void in order to aid investigative and intelligence units in complying with the federal guidelines of 28 CFR Part 23.

“We identified a need for an application that could provide an easy-to-use interface, allowing users to collect information and create reports that bolster investigative capabilities and securely store and organize these reports and their related digital file attachments,” said Geospatial Technologies Vice President of Operations Wilbur Hu.¹ He also stated that an application that featured a built-in mechanism to help manage and monitor reports and notify the initiator when the report is nearing its expected purging date would benefit the policing profession.

The IntelNexus client app can be installed and configured to connect to a secure and centralized database. The application has “Administrator” user accounts, allowing those users to control user access, run audit reports, and approve or reject investigative reports submitted into the system by non-administrative general users. Administrators can also create “Programs,” which act as the container for “Reports”—the core of the IntelNexus application. Reports hold specific details, attributes, and digital attachments related to an investigation.

IntelNexus is structured with data fields that can be populated with useful information that can be retrieved, edited, or deleted from the system when necessary.

The Tustin, California–based company regularly corresponds with agencies using the software to let them request any new features, fields, or functions that may be useful to include in the application.

Also providing a cloud-based, software-as-a-service suite of solutions to the public safety profession is ALEN Inc.

After years of researching and working with agencies to provide secure access to federal and state criminal justice, NCIC, and DMV databases, ALEN Inc. learned that many agencies were buying two separate systems: one for records management and another for evidence management. Seeing a need for an integrated records management and evidence management system that was secure, easy to use, and budget friendly, ALEN Inc. developers created solutions to allow agencies to manage their case records, evidence, calls for service, e-citations, and digital files quickly and securely.

The ALEN integrated solution helps officers build cases by collecting pertinent information, such as parties, property, crime scene activities, offense details, and digital files. The suite also permits data to be shared across multiple agencies. Combining the records and evidence management systems allows command staff and officers to enter, manage, and relate all their case and associated property information in a central database.

ALEN Inc. designed its suite with several key operational roles in mind. For the officers in the field collecting property and evidence, the interface allows for quick collection, cataloging, and documentation of that evidence. For evidence custodians, the developers built easy-to-use interfaces that grant personnel the ability to manage, audit, and search for evidence. The system provides reporting and auditing capabilities for command staff to ensure agency policies and procedures are followed.

The solution also manages the location and status of items that are outside the control of the agency. All evidence activities are tracked with full read-only audit logging capabilities to ensure confidence in the item’s chain of custody.

With their cloud-first approach, the company, based in Mobile, Alabama, can quickly apply new features that benefit customers. “By consolidating costs, removing infrastructure expenses, and adding flexibility, agencies have been able to streamline operations, reduce costs, and provide better service to their communities,” said ALEN Inc. President Justin Spradlin. “I think we will continue to see a shift to this type of solution in the future.”²

Property & Evidence Management

Crime laboratories often struggle to effectively store and manage property, evidence, and digital assets. Foray Technologies’ ADAMS software programs were designed to track, process, and publish digital and physical evidence, as well as connect with other agency systems.

Headquartered in San Diego, California, Foray Technologies provides police with a software package that helps agencies track evidence from the moment it is collected, through the processing and review cycles, and until court presentation.

Included in the software package are the ADAMS Property & Evidence solution (P&E) and ADAMS Upload app. The ADAMS P&E provides control over the collection, storage, and management of evidence by allowing the user to tailor the software to the agency’s standard operating procedures. By using the property and evidence solution, an agency can streamline evidence processing, reduce redundant data entry, increase efficiency, and improve check-in response time.³ With ADAMS Upload, officers are able to take photos, capture video, and record audio. Files remain encrypted for security and are automatically uploaded to the agency’s server.⁵ The ADAMS Upload app is available on the Apple Store and Google Play.

According to Tom Hennings, president of Foray Technologies, “Since the product is browser based and evidence can be uploaded via mobile phones, the product was already ideally positioned for remote work.”⁵

As evidence continues to evolve, so too will the evidence collection process. Crime analysts and investigative units now have the opportunity to explore the new solutions on the market for advanced evidence management systems that will preserve the chain of custody and improve efficiency.

Notes:

¹Wilbur Hu (vice president, operations, Geospatial Technologies), email interview, April 31, 2021. 

²Justin Spradlin (president, ALEN, Inc.), email interview, April 7, 2021; Trevor Ward (director of operations, ALEN, Inc.), email interview, April 7, 2021. 

³Foray Technologies, “Property & Evidence.”  

⁴Foray Technologies, “ADAMS Upload.” 

⁵Tom Hennings (president, Foray Technologies), email interview, April 30, 2021.