Winter 2007
T
he day begins as just any other quiet weekday morning in any one of a thousand small
towns in America’s heartland, but at 9:15 a call to 911 changes everything. The caller
reports seeing a man with a gun near the local high school. Before officers can reach
the scene, the man enters the school and takes a number of hostages. For the next sev-
eral hours, area emergency response agencies will be pushed to their limits. Not only must they
resolve the hostage situation without loss of innocent lives, they also must deal with a demand-
ing media and concerned and frightened parents.
In an event such as a school takeover, the Agencies, O’Shea says, are now required to
ability of law enforcement to establish an incident complete some type of National Incident
command post quickly, combine and allocate Management System training to apply for U.S.
resources effectively, and cooperate with other Department of Homeland Security grants. Incident
emergency responders fully is paramount. Unfor Commander can be used to help meet that training
tunately, public safety agencies, especially smaller requirement.
agencies in rural and remote parts of the country,
do not often have the staff or budget resources Incident Commander offers a realistic represen
for critical incident command training. A recently tation of crisis management with realistic scenarios,
released, no-cost training program called Incident realistic time delays, and realistic resource limita
Commander, however, can help. tions. Focusing on smaller jurisdictions (less than
50,000 residents), participants face the problems
Available through the National Law Enforcement of dealing with a school hostage situation, a chem
and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) sys ical spill, the aftermath of a severe storm, and a
tem, a program of the Office of Justice Programs’ possible terrorism incident as they fill the roles
National Institute of Justice, Incident Commander of the incident commander and the command
is a PC-based software simulation that models team. At the same time, participants also control
I
real-world situations within a community, allowing the various agencies responding to the incident,
for training at the management level during a criti including police, fire, emergency medical services, nteroperability, information sharing, and time-
cal incident. public works, and school personnel. line and link analysis are buzzwords getting a
According to Mike O’Shea, NIJ program Anywhere from 1 to 16 people can partici great deal of use in the law enforcement and
manager, Incident Commander is based on the pate in a scenario by taking on a variety of roles homeland security communities. Now the Penn-
command structure mandated by the Federal within the operations team. In addition, multiple sylvania Department of Corrections is capitalizing
Emergency Management Agency in its rules for simultaneous roles for player interaction are avail on a software program called WebTAS, originally
National Incident Management System compliance. able, allowing independent action in any role or
designed for government agencies and law enforce-
(See Commanding the Incident, page 12) ment, to show that these buzzwords also have
meaning for corrections.
(See Doing Prison Time, page 2)
(Doing Prison Time . . . cont. from page 1)
Short for Web-Enabled Timeline Analysis System, WebTAS is called DOCNET. One requirement was that State employees
a flexible suite of analytical tools that enable public safety agen would continue entering data into the various databases used
cies to quickly and easily merge data from disparate databases by different correctional facilities and WebTAS would connect
or other sources of information. It uses an agency’s existing all these varied data sources together.
mainframe system to track pertinent incidents.
“It’s been a great system,” Flaherty says. “We took it in baby
“WebTAS is basically what we call ‘government off the shelf,’”
steps by looking first at rapes; now we’re expanding it to other
says Jamie Hepler, a contract analyst with the Law Enforcement
types of sexual activity, assaults, and misconducts. We want to
Analysis Facility located at the National Law Enforcement and
try to build up the analysis aspect, but so far, the number of
Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC)–Northeast, a program
PREA incidents has been so low that we haven’t been able to do
of the Office of Justice Programs’ National Institute of Justice.
much analysis.”
The software gives analysts the ability to plot events spatially
and temporally and look for links. Now that Pennsylvania knows about WebTAS, Flaherty says
the State is working on other uses for the software. In addition
“You should see the look on the people’s faces when the raw
to tracking nonsexual assaults and inmate misconduct, Flaherty
data they have been working with, but have never been able to
thinks it could be a useful tool for combating gang activity and
see visualized, is first plotted on a map or grid for them,” Hepler
drug use.
says. “It’s just amazing, like ‘where has this been all my life?’”
“We’d also like to use it to analyze visitors, inmates, gangs,
Originally, WebTAS was used in the defense and intelligence
drug tests, and phone calls to visualize whether there are
community, predominately for intelligence analysis by the
any linkages between these entities,” Flaherty says. “It could
United States Space Command. Currently, Hepler says, WebTAS
help us keep drugs out of prison and the wrong people from
is used to support tactical and strategic analysis in support of
being allowed to visit.” WebTAS also could help find patterns
the global war on terrorism, Operation Enduring Freedom, and
following canine and other contraband searches. “It will help
Operation Iraqi Freedom. Law enforcement has also realized the
us to pick up trends and call them to the attention of the
software’s potential to help analyze evidence. WebTAS, Hepler
administration.”
says, has even been featured on “He Said...She Said,” one of
the stories in the Autopsy 11: Sex, Lies, and Murder video series While Pennsylvania examines ways to expand WebTAS use
(HBO, Spring 2006). within its correctional system, Hepler says he hopes to expand
WebTAS’ correctional applications outside the State.
Bob Flaherty, a security data analyst with the Pennsylvania
Department of Corrections, says that although the Federal Pris “I think every State has similar technology needs in terms
on Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003 provided a trigger, his of infrastructure and software requirements,” he says. “One of
agency really just wanted to see what WebTAS could do in the my hopes is to establish its use in more States. All States must
corrections arena as a whole. The passage of PREA (which man report under PREA, and it could also be used for inhouse inves
dates that all State and local correctional agencies meet specific tigations, visitor tracking, and intelligence and financial analy-
reporting requirements related to prison rape, sexual assault, sis—all the same problems that law enforcement faces. States
and harassment) and the subsequent receipt of a grant from the could use WebTAS to share critical information and collaborate
Bureau of Justice Assistance, he says, allowed the corrections with each other. Once you’ve got it in place, it can be used for
department to purchase needed equipment and begin exploring so many things. It helps you find the pattern before the pattern
WebTAS’ possibilities. (The grant primarily went to purchase becomes a problem.”
new servers, computers capable of running the software, and
minor consulting fees.) For more information about WebTAS, visit www.webtas.
com or contact Jamie Hepler at James.Hepler@rl.af.mil. For
When PREA came into play, Hepler says, Dr. John Shaf information about how WebTAS was used in one instance
fer, Pennsylvania executive deputy secretary for corrections, to help solve a murder-for-hire case, read “Time Proves the
quickly recognized WebTAS’ potential. Discussions began on Crime” from the spring 2002 edition of TechBeat at www.
justnet.org/techbeat/spring2002/TimeCrimeSpr02.pdf.
making WebTAS fit into Pennsylvania’s correctional intranet,
O
n a late winter day, police arrested three men after receiving a report of gunshots in a neighbor-
hood of North Charleston, South Carolina. One of the men arrested was carrying a weapon that
had been reported stolen just 30 minutes earlier. Although reports of shots fired are common
occurrences in urban areas, in this particular incident, the report did not come from a human
witness but from a gunshot location system.
At the time, the gunshot location system was not even officially operational. The installation process—
testing and calibration of the sensors— had just begun when the system provided its first hit.
Two gunshot location systems According to Coleman Knight, deputy director at NLECTC–Southeast,1 dis
produced by ShotSpotter® began oper patch reports in Charleston and North Charleston have placed officers within
ation in North Charleston and Charleston a 20-foot range of where shots were fired. Officers can be notified via dispatch
in spring 2003. At that time the National Law radio, cell phone, mobile data computer, e-mail, pager, or personal digital assis
Enforcement and Corrections Technology Cen tant. The system also records a WAV file of the number of gunshots detected by
ter (NLECTC)–Southeast, a program of the Office sensors. This file can be used in court to support or refute, as needed, observa
of Justice Programs’ National Institute of Justice, was tions by witnesses, victims, and suspects.
called in to help evaluate the technology, which relies
on fixed telephone lines. In addition, NLECTC–Southeast Officers headed toward the scene of a gunshot location system report are
became involved in the initial evaluation of the wireless confident that the information came in not only quickly, but accurately, Knight
version of the gunshot location system with the Charleston says. When (and if) witnesses report gunshots heard, however, their information
Navy Yard and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department may be delayed and may conflict with the location and direction of the gunfire
in Columbia, South Carolina. Availability of a wireless sys identified by ShotSpotter. The precise location information generated by gunshot
tem will allow jurisdictions to choose between the original location devices increases an officer’s chances of finding spent casings or even
location system, which relies on fixed telephone lines but catching a perpetrator with a weapon in hand. In multishot incidents, the system
is small and inconspicuous, and the larger wireless sensors, reports the location of each individual shot.
which are not as easily hidden from the criminal element but are Charleston and North Charleston received initial funding for their gunshot
easily moved. The wireless system has a higher initial cost, while location projects under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Safe Neighborhoods
the landline version has ongoing telephone charges. program. The U.S. Attorney General for South Carolina chose reduction of street
ShotSpotter uses a network of weatherproof acoustic sensors to record violence and gunfire through an initiative named Project CeaseFire. The initiative
and locate gunshots and other loud noises. The system uses relative arrival provided $750,000 to install the two gunshot location systems, which featured
times from a minimum of three acoustical sensors to triangulate and determine a 32 sensors (8 per square mile). Charleston has added eight more sensors to fill
location, employing technology similar to that used by geologists to pinpoint the in gaps or weak areas in targeted areas and North Charleston is in the process
epicenter of an earthquake. of adding four to six more to cover gaps. The cities selected coverage areas
based on their frequent appearance on reports related to violent crimes, firearms
When the sensors pick up a sound in the appropriate frequency range, the offenses, and drug-related incidents.
system ties into geographic information system technology and generates a
colored dot on a city map. Gunshots show as red dots; firecrackers and other For more information on gunshot location systems and the ShotSpotter
loud noises have their own colors. The marked map shows a 911 dispatcher the evaluations, contact NLECTC–Southeast at 800–292–4385 or e-mail Charles
location of the gunfire; the dispatcher can then listen to a WAV file of the report, Stephenson at stephenson@nlectc-se.org.
verify it as a gunshot, and dispatch officers. The entire process usually takes
no more than 6 to 10 seconds, which leads to more rapid incident dispatch that 1Mr. Knight passed away in January 2007, after this article was written.
could help save victims’ lives.
In addition to Charleston and North Charleston, citizens reported gunshots in only 11 percent of the
South Carolina, gunshot location systems have been cases detected by the system.
deployed across the Nation, with more in the planning
and development stages. Systems can be found in such ● Gary, Indiana. In one evening, use of a gunshot loca-
diverse areas as Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles, California; tion system resulted in 15 multiple-charge arrests
Gary, Indiana; and Glendale, Arizona. Systems are also in and 45 confiscated weapons.
use by the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Joint ● State of Ohio. Temporary deployment of a gunshot
Forces Command, and the U.S. Army. Successes have location system covering 90 miles of State highway
included the following: helped lead to the capture of the Columbus highway
● Rochester, New York. Officers responded to a shots- sniper in 2003.
fired incident so quickly that a suspect was still ● Redwood City, California. A gunshot location system
holding a shotgun when they arrived. helped to reduce the threat of random gunfire in one
● Los Angeles County, California. The sheriff’s depart- part of town. The result? People felt safer, businesses
ment conducted a study in target areas where a began returning to the area, and property values
gunshot location system was in use and found that increased.
TECH shorts
Technology News Summary
T ECHshorts is a sampling of the technology projects, programs, and initiatives being conducted by the Office of Justice Pro-
grams’ National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the centers and specialty offices that constitute its National Law Enforcement
and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) system. If you would like additional information concerning any of the follow-
ing TECHshorts, please refer to the specific point-of-contact information that is included at the end of each entry.
groups to collaborate on regional incident management coordi-
nation and response planning. Following several tabletop and
field exercises, the group recognized the need for an ongoing
effort to promote incident management data sharing through
the use of emerging technologies and current off-the-shelf
In addition to TECHshorts, an online, weekly technology news summary containing articles relating to technology developments and nonproprietary equipment and systems, and requested
in public safety that have appeared in newspapers, newsmagazines, and trade and professional journals is available through the assistance from NLECTC–West. For more information, contact
NLECTC system’s website, JUSTNET, at www.justnet.org. This service, the Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology News Sum- NLECTC–West, 888–548–1618 or nlectc@law-west.org.
mary, also is available through an electronic e-mail list, JUSTNETNews. Each week, subscribers to JUSTNETNews receive the news
summary directly via e-mail. To subscribe to JUSTNETNews, e-mail your request to asknlectc@nlectc.org or call 800–248–2742.
On the Skids
Note: The mentioning of specific manufacturers or products in TECHshorts does not constitute the endorsement of the U.S.
Department of Justice, NIJ, or the NLECTC system. A 59-percent
decrease in driv-
ing accidents is
the very tangible
result of a “safe
The Eagle Has Landed easy to use, and provides law enforcement and private sector
driving” partner-
organizations with 24/7 access to numerous training materials
Russian explosives experts are lending their expertise to ship between the
from any Internet-enabled computer. Currently, the CSL Web
their American counterparts to help in the detection Anchorage Police
environment contains more than 40 hours of tool demonstra-
of improvised Department
tions and training videos created specifically for first respond-
explosive and NLECTC–
ers, forensic investigators, and the legal community.
devices (IEDs). Northwest. The
CSL uses this information-sharing method when hosting and Skid Car, made
Last fall, participating in cybercrime and cybersecurity conferences available by
NLECTC– and seminars nationwide. The events are captured on video NLECTC–Northwest to numerous law enforcement agencies in
Northwest and made available to registered users on the CSL website at Alaska, allows drivers to practice driving skills needed on icy
sponsored the www.cybersciencelab.com. Examples include the Prosecutors’ roads by pushing a button that throws the car into a simulated
visit of two Rus- Perspective on Electronic Crime Seminar, held in conjunction skid. The technology can simulate a front skid, a rear skid, or an
sian IED experts with the New York/New Jersey United States Secret Service all-wheel skid, all of which call for different driving tactics.
to Washington, Electronic Crimes Task Force (USSS ECTF) meeting on October
D.C. While in NLECTC–Northwest sponsors a train-the-trainer program for
4, 2006, and the Organization of American States Cybersecurity
the United driving instructors from individual agencies and helps coordi-
and Cybercrime Workshop, held in cooperation with the Miami
States, the Rus- nate the transportation (along with the Alaska National Guard)
USSS ECTF on April 25–27, 2006. For more information about
sians trained of the Skid Car around the State. Anchorage, one of several law
these or other CSL activities, contact Joshua Bartolomie at
American explosives specialists so they could conduct an NIJ- enforcement agencies employing the technology as part of its
888–338–0584 or josh@cybersciencelab.com.
sponsored evaluation of a Russian IED detection device called emergency vehicle operations course, reported a substantial
decrease in accidents in the first year of using the training
the Eagle. The two Russian IED experts also met with a number
Looking at the Same Picture program. For more information, contact NLECTC–Northwest,
of their U.S. counterparts to discuss and demonstrate the latest
in Russian IED detection equipment and share lessons learned 866–569–2969 or nlectc_nw@ctsc.net.
At the request of the Golden Gate Safety Network, NLECTC–
from IED detection experiences in Chechnya and Dagestan. West is developing a system of components that will help
determine the operational requirements for a common operat-
NIJ is evaluating the Eagle for potential domestic use with assis- ing picture system. A common operating picture system is a
tance from NLECTC–Northwest and NLECTC–Rocky Mountain. computer-generated display of identical information shared by
The Eagle consists of a backpack system designed to detect IEDs more than one command. Its purpose is to provide situation
through identification of remote control receivers, transceivers, awareness and facilitate collaborative planning.
electronic fuses, electronic timers, and delayed-action units.
Russian Federation Special Forces have successfully deployed The project involves the development of capabilities in five basic
the Eagle since 2001. Dustproof and shockproof, it is designed areas: shared mapping, key resource tracking using a global
for outdoor use in a wide range of temperatures. positioning system (GPS), on-scene digital imagery, incident
command directives (e.g., safety perimeters, road closures), and
Plans are also underway for NLECTC–Northwest to evaluate the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). A shared server architecture
Eagle’s “little brother,” the less powerful NR-u, for possible detec- allows ongoing experimentation with shared mapping, GPS
tion of clandestine cellular phones smuggled into domestic pris- tracking, and transmission of video and still imagery. Partici-
ons and jails. This portable device relies on the same technology pating agencies enter information, including feeds from video
as the Eagle. For more information, contact NLECTC–Northwest, cameras, into the shared server. The system’s mapping capability
866–569–2969 or nlectc_nw@ctsc.net. can then show vehicle locations on a map and provide video
footage to all users.
CyberScience Laboratory’s
The common operating picture system has been
Webinar Capability used in training exercises that have included as
In an effort to enhance outreach many as 16 different public safety agencies at the
and training in combating cyber- Federal, State, regional, and local levels, as well
crime, the NLECTC–Northeast as participation by several nongovernmental
CyberScience Laboratory (CSL) organizations.
has expanded its Web environ-
ment to include interactive, live, and The Golden Gate Safety Network was formed
on-demand streaming video. This several years ago as an informal means for
“Webinar” capability is cost effective, San Francisco Bay Area private and public safety
NLECTC–National
N L E C T C 2277 Research Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20850
800–248–2742
asknlectc@nlectc.org
............................................... .................................
NLECTC–Northeast
26 Electronic Parkway
Rome, NY 13441–4514
The National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology thousands of prisons, jails, and parole and probation depart- 888–338–0584
Center (NLECTC) system, a program of the Office of Justice Pro- ments; and other public safety organizations. nlectc_ne@rl.af.mil
grams’ National Institute of Justice (NIJ), offers no-cost assistance
in helping agencies large and small implement current and With a network of regional centers and specialty offices located
across the country, the NLECTC system delivers expertise in a
emerging technologies. NLECTC–Southeast
number of technologies in partnership with a host organiza- 5300 International Boulevard
The NLECTC system was established in 1994 by NIJ’s Office of tion. In addition, a number of technology working groups and a North Charleston, SC 29418
Science and Technology to serve as an “honest broker” resource national advisory council provide guidance relating to the tech- 800–292–4385
for technology information, assistance, and expertise by provid- nology needs and operational requirements of the public safety nlectc-se@nlectc-se.org
ing information and technology assistance to the Nation’s more community for each of NIJ’s technology focus areas.
than 18,000 police departments; 50 State correctional systems;
NLECTC–Rocky Mountain
2050 East Iliff Avenue
Contact NLECTC for:. . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................ Denver, CO 80208
800–416–8086
nlectc@du.edu
Technology Identification Technology Demonstration ordered through NLECTC’s toll-free number,
The NLECTC system provides information We introduce and demonstrate new and 800–248–2742, or via e-mail at asknlectc@
nlectc.org.
and assistance to help agencies determine the emerging technologies through such special NLECTC–West
most appropriate and cost-effective technol- events, conferences, and practical demonstra- c/o The Aerospace Corporation
Technology Commercialization
ogy to solve an administrative or operational tions as the Mock Prison Riot (technologies 2350 East El Segundo Boulevard
problem. We deliver information relating to for corrections) and an annual public safety Our law enforcement and corrections profes- El Segundo, CA 90245–4691
sionals, product and commercialization man- 888–548–1618
technology availability, performance, durabil- technology conference. On a limited basis,
agers, engineers, and technical and market nlectc@law-west.org
ity, reliability, safety, ease of use, customiza- NLECTC facilitates deployment of new tech-
tion capabilities, and interoperability. nologies to agencies for operational testing research specialists work together to identify
and evaluation. new technologies and product concepts. They
Technology Assistance then work with innovators and industry to NLECTC–Northwest
6411 A Street, Suite 200
Our staff serve as proxy scientists and engi- Capacity Building develop, manufacture, and distribute these
Anchorage, AK 99518–1824
neers. Areas of assistance include unique We provide hands-on demonstrations of new, innovative products and technologies.
866–569–2969
evidence analysis (e.g., audio, video, computer, the latest technologies to address such nlectc_nw@ctsc.net
Technology Needs Assessment
trace, and explosives), systems engineering, operational issues as crime and intelligence
and communications and information systems analysis, geographic information systems, Our national body of criminal justice
professionals—the Law Enforcement and
Border Research and
support (e.g., interoperability, propagation explosives detection and disablement, Technology Center (BRTC)
studies, and vulnerability assessments). Corrections Technology Advisory Council
c/o The Sheriffs’ Association of Texas
1601 South I–35
Technology Implementation Austin, TX 78741
NLECTC–Northwest
We develop technology guides, best prac- Anchorage, Alaska 512–445–2316
brtc@txsheriffs.org
tices, and other information resources that NLECTC–Rocky Mountain NLECTC–Northeast
Office of Law Enforcement
Denver, Colorado Rome, New York
Standards
are frequently leveraged from hands-on Gaithersburg, Maryland
assistance projects and made available to BRTC–Western Operations
other agencies. NLECTC–West NLECTC–National c/o SDSU Research Foundation
El Segundo, Rockville, Maryland
5178 College Avenue, Suite 10
California
Office of Law Enforcement San Diego, CA 92182
Property Acquisition Technology Commercialization
Wheeling, West Virginia 888–656–2782
We help departments take advantage of sur- brtcwestops@sbcglobal.net
Border Research
plus property programs that make Federal and Technology
Center (Western NLECTC–Southeast
excess and surplus property available to law Operations) Charleston, South Carolina
enforcement and corrections personnel at
San Diego, California Rural Law Enforcement
Technology Center
little or no cost.
Border Research and Rural Law Enforcement
(RULETC)
Technology Center Technology Center 101 Bulldog Lane
Equipment Testing Austin, Texas Hazard, Kentucky
Hazard, KY 41701
In cooperation with the Office of Law 866–787–2553
Enforcement Standards (OLES), we over- ruletc@aol.com
see the development of standards and a inmate disturbances and riots, and com- (LECTAC)—ensures that we are focusing
standards-based testing program in which puter crime investigation. on the real world needs of public safety Office of Law Enforcement
equipment such as ballistic- and stab- agencies. Technology Commercialization
resistant body armor, double-locking metallic Technology Information (OLETC)
handcuffs, and semiautomatic pistols is tested NLECTC disseminates information to the Because most of the country’s law enforce 2001 Main Street, Suite 500
on a pass/fail basis. NLECTC also conducts criminal justice community at no cost ment and corrections services are provided Wheeling, WV 26003
comparative evaluations—testing equipment through educational bulletins, equipment 888–306–5382
at the local level, the NLECTC system is info@oletc.org
under field conditions—on patrol vehicles; performance reports, guides, consumer
composed of five regional centers and is
patrol vehicle tires and replacement brake product lists, news summaries, meeting/
complemented by several specialty offices
pads; and cut-, puncture-, and pathogen- conference reports, videotapes, and CD– Office of Law Enforcement
and a national center. Most centers and Standards (OLES)
resistant gloves. NLECTC also has evaluated ROMs. NLECTC also publishes TechBeat, an
emerging products to verify manufacturers’ award-winning quarterly newsmagazine. offices are colocated with or supported 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8102
by federally funded technology partners Building 220, Room 8208
claims. The primary focus of OLES is the Most publications are available in electronic
Gaithersburg, MD 20899–8102
development of performance standards and form through the Justice Technology Infor- so they can leverage unique science and
301–975–2757
testing methods to ensure that public safety mation Network (JUSTNET) at www.justnet. engineering expertise. oles@nist.gov
equipment is safe, dependable, and effective. org. Hard copies of all publications can be
TechBeat is the award-winning newsmagazine of the National Law Enforcement
and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) system. TechBeat’s latest award is
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2007 NIJ Technology September 16–21, 2007 • Washington, D.C.
Institute for Corrections
Agenda: Attendees will receive information on and assistance about existing and developing technologies, learn
ways to solve problems relating to technology implementation, and exchange technology lessons learned.
Attendees also will participate in briefings and demonstrations at various agencies and departments in the
metropolitan area.
Registration: Attendance is limited to 25 midlevel managers from State, local, and community corrections agencies who
are involved with technology.
Applications: To obtain an application, visit www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/events/techinstitutes/ or contact Laura Luhn at
800–248–2742, ext. 5145 or at lluhn@nlectc.org. One application is allowed per agency. Alumni of previous
institutes are not eligible. Travel, lodging, and meal expenses are paid by the National Institute of Justice.
Application deadline: July 13, 2007
w w w . j u s t n e t . o r g
Online News Summary. Online News Summary vehicles and tires, protection gloves, handcuffs, Links. Links takes you to other important law
includes article abstracts on law enforcement, and more. enforcement and corrections websites.
corrections, and forensics technologies that have
appeared in major newspapers, magazines, and Publications. Publications from NIJ and NLECTC For help establishing an Internet connection,
periodicals and on national and international wire that you can view or download to your system, linking to JUSTNET, or finding needed technology
services and websites. including printer-friendly versions of TechBeat and product information, call the NLECTC Infor-
articles and features. mation Hotline at 800–248–2742.
Testing Results. Up-to-date listing of public-safety
equipment evaluated through NIJ’s testing program. Calendar of Events. Calendar of Events lists
Includes ballistic- and stab-resistant armor, patrol upcoming meetings, seminars, and training.
T
he National Center for Missing & flash settings, aperture, focal length, and meter thumbnail depicted an older version that revealed
Exploited Children revealed in a June ing mode. A less common feature is the inclusion the obscured area.
of global positioning satellite coordinates that
2005 study that 40 percent of arrested The Exif standard also supports data called
provide the exact location where the picture was
child pornography possessors had snapped. Thus, law enforcement can use Exif “makernotes.” These data fields and their values
both sexually victimized children and were in data to find out when a photograph was taken, tie are unique to each digital camera manufacturer.
possession of child pornography. Due in part to photos to a specific make and model of camera, They can help determine if a suspect has tam
or pinpoint the location where an image was cre pered with Exif data in an attempt to prevent
the increasing prevalence of child exploitation
ated. More advanced techniques can identify the linking images to a specific digital camera. For
and pornography, the digital photograph has example, encountering an image with the Exif data
owner of a specific camera by extracting its serial
now become a fixture in gathering and examin- of a Canon camera and the makernotes of a Nikon
number.
ing forensic evidence in such cases. would indicate that fields have been modified.
Currently not all digital camera manufacturers
Investigators who frequently handle child support the standard, although makers of many Several tools facilitate the extraction and
pornography cases usually have (or know where popular brands, such as Nikon, Sony, Canon, Fuji, analysis of Exif data and image thumbnails. Exifer,
to access) the tools and the knowledge to obtain HP and Olympus, have adopted it. Many image ThumbsPlus®, Jhead, EXIFextracter, Exif Reader,
evidence associated with contraband images. editing programs (such as Microsoft® Paint) ignore ExifPro, and IExif® are just a few of the many free
Nevertheless, law enforcement officers who do Exif data embedded in a photo if they are used or inexpensive tools available on the Internet.
not handle these cases on a regular basis may be only to open the file. If, however, these programs Additionally, many commercial forensic applica
unaware of the important data that can be derived are used to modify an image, they can destroy the tions such as ProDiscover® and DataLifter™
from digital images. Exif data. now include Exif data analysis as one of their
capabilities.
Exchangeable Image File Format, “Exif” for The most important data may be the thumbnail
short, defines the file structure and metadata tags image linked to the photograph. Thumbnails are For more information on Exif data, photo
used by digital cameras. The Exif standard, origi saved in their own hidden file (a thumbs.db file metadata, or image analysis tools, contact
nally created to enhance interoperability between placed in folders containing images on the comput Salvatore Paladino, CISSP (Certified Informa-
photographic imaging devices, can be found in er), and changes to an image may not always trans tion Systems Security Professional), at the
both JPEG and TIFF files. fer to the corresponding thumbnail. If an original National Law Enforcement and Corrections
image is wiped from a disk using a program such Technology Center–Northeast in Rome, New
The Exif standard associates a variety of York, 888–338–0584 or sal@dolphtech.com.
information with a photograph, such as the date as Secure Clean™ or BCWipe®, the thumbnail may
still be available. Officers have encountered situ Visit www.missingkids.com for more informa-
and time the image was taken and the make and tion about the National Center for Missing &
model of the digital camera used. It also stores ations in which the victim’s or perpetrator’s face
was blurred or concealed in the full image, but the Exploited Children.
camera settings such as shutter speed, film speed,
Law enforcement can use Exif data to find out when
a photograph was taken, tie photos to a specific make
and model of camera, or pinpoint the location where
an image was created.
T
he inability to communicate with other departments plagues law enforcement and other public safety
agencies nationwide. Incompatible radio systems, differing database structures, and a dearth of policies
and procedures often leave police and other emergency responders working in isolation.
In South Carolina, however, that isolation is dissolving away. Two cooperative statewide initiatives have
helped to remove communications roadblocks and facilitate information sharing.
The initiatives are the South Carolina Information Exchange, known as SCIEx (a statewide data-sharing opera-
tion) and the South Carolina State Interoperability System (a shared 800 MHz radio system). The National Law
Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC)–Southeast, a program of the Office of Justice Programs’
National Institute of Justice (NIJ), has a hand in both enterprises.
South Carolina
through a secure Web-based interface using such
information ExChangE
parameters as name; vehicle; property stolen; suspect
address; incident location; narrative keywords; phone
In September 2006, the Newbury Police Depart
numbers; and scars, marks, and tattoos. Cosgrove
ment prepared to execute what appeared to be a fairly
adds that an agency cannot begin querying until its
routine, relatively minor warrant, but something about
systems administrators first receive training, obtain
the individual’s name struck an officer as familiar. A
passwords, and train the remainder of their staff.
search of the SCIEx database revealed previous police
NLECTC–Southeast holds frequent training classes
contacts and a profile of threatening to use weapons.
for approximately 20 agencies at a time.
Based on this information, officers changed their tacti
cal approach, and everything went smoothly. The underlying software that runs SCIEx is the NIJ-
developed Law Enforcement Automated Data Reposi
SCIEx, which uses an open source software pack
tory (LEADR), which is available to law enforcement
age, has come a long way in a relatively short time. In
agencies without licensing fees. The success of this
2000, sheriffs’ departments and major police depart
software has spurred interest from Federal agencies
ments from the three South Carolina “Low Country”
such as the FBI and from other States, including Ten
counties of Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester
nessee and Montana. Cosgrove says that although the
approached NLECTC–Southeast for assistance in
software is free of licensing fees, agencies interested in
creating a shared master name database. This proj
implementing a “SCIEx” of their own need to have the
ect became known as the Information Technology
right hardware and work with their records manage
Improvement Program (ITIP). With funding from NIJ,
ment system vendor to obtain support. “It [LEADR] the creation of
the programming was expanded to capture more and
doesn’t just self-install, and that’s it,” he emphasizes. the State Interop
more elements until it took in “pretty much a whole
erability System
incident report,” says Pete Cosgrove, program man For more information about SCIEx or LEADR, 2 years later.
ager at NLECTC–Southeast. contact Pete Cosgrove, 843–760–4089 or peter.
cosgrove@nlectc-se.org. For more information “During the Hur
The expanded version of ITIP became so successful
about ITIP, read “Getting a ‘TIP,’ Making a ‘Linc’ ” ricane Floyd evacuation,
that in 2005, when the South Carolina Law Enforce
from the winter 2005 edition of TechBeat at www. agencies that participated
ment Department received a U.S. Department of Home
justnet.org/techbeat/winter2005/TIPLINC.pdf. For in the Palmetto 800 network
land Security grant to create a central fusion center,
more information about the South Carolina Law could communicate with
the agency decided that ITIP was the perfect model for
Enforcement Division, visit www.sled.state.sc.us. each other, yet others could
its new information exchange project called SCIEx.
not,” Roberts says. “As a result,
“We used the same model, a central data ware NLECTC–Southeast partnered with
house model,” Cosgrove says. “We contracted with South Carolina StatE the South Carolina Office of the Chief
the records management system vendors that the law intEropErability SyStEm Information Officer (SC CIO) to imple
enforcement agencies were already using, gave them Although two hurricanes—Hugo in 1989 and Floyd ment a statewide interoperability project
the specs, and asked them to include a module with in 1999—provided the impetus for development of a in which the Southeast Center plays the
their systems that would automatically replicate the shared 800 MHz radio system in South Carolina, the ‘honest broker’ role while the State agency
data for SCIEx.” system is not used solely in times of disaster; it is manages the radio system.”
called upon in the daily operations of the State’s pub
The module inclusion process began with the ven NIJ provided grant funding to Southeast to
lic service agencies.
dor with the most clients. Those 70 agencies became administer and partner with SC CIO to fund local
the initial users. As more vendors added the program The statewide 800 MHz system had its beginnings law enforcement agencies for the purchase of
ming module to their software, more agencies came in 1992 in reaction to communications problems expe console, handheld, and mobile 800 MHz
online. Today, Cosgrove says, approximately 300 agen rienced during Hurricane Hugo, in which 70 South radio equipment for use on the Pal
cies across the State are eligible to use SCIEx, and Carolina residents died. This initiative, called the Pal metto 800 Trunked Radio Network,
the South Carolina Law Enforcement Department Intel metto 800 Trunked Radio Network, was a public safety Roberts says. Participating
ligence Fusion Center has added a mapping compo communications partnership, according to Bob Rob agencies must pay all asso
nent that expands SCIEx capabilities to include crime erts, project manager at NLECTC–Southeast. ciated user fees.
analysis.
“The Palmetto 800 network has been financially Built on the
“At the local level, officers don’t do anything differ self-supporting from the very beginning,” Roberts existing Palmetto
ently from what they’ve always done,” Cosgrove says. says. “The users pay the cost to operate the system 800 network, the
“But once they hit “enter” or “save” or whatever they on a per radio, per month basis, based on the number South Carolina
click, the data is automatically uploaded to SCIEx. You of tower sites needed to provide an agency with radio State Interoper
can key in and get the whole incident report. It’s really coverage. The cost of future upgrades is included in ability System
pretty powerful. It can be used for advanced planning the user fee charges. The system developed on a pay- presently
of a tactical approach, as Newbury did [in the incident as-you-go basis, with expansion taking place when an encompasses
noted above], or the officer on the street can quickly area had generated sufficient revenue.” 69 tower
look up something on his laptop.” sites, with
Even with the establishment of Palmetto 800, at least
Currently, more than 200 agencies are uploading interoperability issues still existed. In 1999, evacuation one con
data into the system, which gets about 6,000 queries efforts in preparation for Hurricane Floyd were com ventional
per week. Data stored in the system can be queried plicated by a lack of full interoperability. This led to repeater
10
National Criminal
Justice Reference
in each of 46 counties. This makes it the largest
shared public safety radio system in the Nation,
users on the statewide system. Although the vast
majority of local agencies supported the project Service
with more than 21,000 system users representing goals and elected to participate in the project, the
more than 350 different agencies. offer of free equipment under the grant did not In addition to funding the National
guarantee participation by a local government. Law Enforcement and Corrections
Roberts says the implementation strategy New and recurring user fees, investment in exist Technology Center, the National Insti
was slow and methodical, involving small group ing systems, and local priorities caused some
meetings and personal contact to convey the tute of Justice (NIJ) and other Fed
agencies to decline participation. eral agencies support the National
importance of joining the statewide system and to
address individual agency concerns and issues. Roberts adds that interoperability is not solely Criminal Justice Reference Service
about disasters or acts of terrorism, but also (NCJRS), assisting a global commu
“There’s been a lot of human interaction,” he about the important role it plays in day-to-day nity of policymakers, practitioners,
says. “Clearly, local agencies put a lot of thought operations. “For example,” he says, “in Manning, researchers, and the general public
into their decision to come on to a State system. the city police were able to communicate directly with justicerelated research, policies,
“Our objective was to increase interoper via two-way radio with highway patrol units in the and programs.
ability. Local agencies didn’t need to abandon region regarding fleeing bank robbery suspects.
their existing systems to achieve interoperability The result of the immediate dissemination of the NCJRS offers reference and refer
capability. Some agencies were heavily invested suspect information directly from the Manning
ral services, publications, onsite and
in their existing systems and/or in financially dif police units on the scene allowed the highway
patrol to very quickly apprehend the suspects
offsite conference support, and other
ficult times and could not immediately replace technical assistance. The easiest way to
all of their equipment again. The grant funding along the Interstate. This incident happened
shortly after the City of Manning joined the net access NCJRS is online.
was not intended to fully equip every agency. Its
purpose was to encourage transition and enhance work with radio equipment provided by the State
Interoperability System.” Start at http://www.ncjrs.gov. The
interoperability.”
NCJRS website showcases the latest
Some agencies, Roberts notes, elected to pur For more information on the Palmetto criminal and juvenile justice and drug
chase additional equipment with local funds and 800 Trunked Radio Network and South Caro- policy information. Take advantage of:
move all of their users to the statewide system. lina State Interoperability System, contact
Others decided to retain their existing systems Bob Roberts, 843–760–4612 or roberts@ • Topicspecific resources.
and use the grant funds only to place selected nlectc-southeast.org.
• Online registration and ordering.
• Searchable abstracts, calendar of
events, and questionsandanswers
databases.
Stay informed. Register at http://
www.ncjrs.gov/subreg.html to receive:
• JUSTINFO. A biweekly electronic
newsletter that includes links to full
text versions of printed publications.
• E-mail notifications. Periodic mes
sages about new publications and
resources that match your specific
interests.
NCJRS Contact Information
ataGlance
Web: http://www.ncjrs.gov
Phone: 800–851–3420
(Monday – Friday,
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. e.s.t.)
Fax: 301–519–5212
Mail: NCJRS, P .O. Box 6000,
Rockville, MD 20849–6000
The National Law Enforce
ment and Corrections
Technology Center is
supported by Cooperative
Agreement #2005–MU–CX–
K077 awarded by the U.S.
Department of Justice, National Institute
of Justice. Analyses of test results do not
represent product approval or endorse
ment by the National Institute of Justice,
U.S. Department of Justice; the National
Institute of Standards and Technology,
U.S. Department of Commerce; or Lock
heed Martin Aspen Systems Corporation.
Points of view or opinions contained
within this document are those of the
authors and do not necessarily represent
the official position or policies of the U.S.
epartment of Justice.
D
The National Institute of Justice is a com
ponent of the Office of Justice Programs,
which also includes the Bureau of Justice
A
ssistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics,
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention, and Office for Victims of Crime.
11
(Commanding the Incident . . . cont. from page 1)
as a part of a group of players over the testing phase and built in the ability to incident command work is effective com
Internet or on a local network. Solo play adapt maps and other aspects of the munication with the other participants.
is also possible. Two years in develop scenarios to make them specific for local
ment, Incident Commander was created areas and provide the capacity for juris To “play” Incident Commander, you
by BreakAway Limited, a company dictions to develop their own scenarios. must have the following minimum system
specializing in modeling and simulation requirements:
software for both computer games and “It is important that agencies are able
to play the scenarios in their city, county, • Windows® ME, XP, or 2000.
training purposes.
or State,” O’Shea says. “The impact of the • 400 MHz Intel® Pentium® II
“We wanted a tool that would make scenario is so much greater if, for exam (or equivalent).
them think outside the box,” O’Shea ple, the school is located in the right
says. “In one recent training session, place, the street names are the same, and • 128 MB RAM.
officials from one jurisdiction yelled at the available responding units are what
each other throughout the whole first can respond in real life.” • 4x CD–ROM/DVD–ROM drive.
scenario. They did a horrible job. The • Sound card.
second time they played, they started to Also during the beta testing phase,
communicate with each other. The third NLECTC–Northwest, in Anchorage, • 36.6 Kbps Internet connection (for In
exercise went so well they didn’t want Alaska, developed an extensive out ternet play).
to stop even though it was 4:45 p.m. and reach program for Incident Commander.
the training officially ended at 4 p.m. Training sessions for the program have For more information about Inci-
That’s exactly what we want to have been (and will continue to be) offered dent Commander, visit www.incident-
happen.” at regional and national conferences. commander.net, contact Mike O’Shea
NLECTC–Northwest is also offering train- at michael.oshea@usdoj.gov, or call
At the conclusion of a scenario, play the-trainer instruction and developing a NLECTC–Northwest at 866–569–2969.
ers receive a score based on how well communications leader module so that
they did in public safety (number of peo dispatchers and communications unit
ple killed or injured), media response, leaders can also gain training benefits.
and total response cost. The scoring sys
tem was changed after the beta testing “These Incident Commander scenar
phase because nobody was winning. “We ios are events you never want to have
didn’t want people to win easily, but we happen in your community, yet if they
didn’t want them to lose that badly do, you want to be able to mount a thor
either,” O’Shea says. He adds ough response,” says Bruce Richter, dep
that the software developer uty director of NLECTC–Northwest. A
ironed out several other key lesson learned from the training, he
glitches during the beta says, is that one of the secrets to making
Winter 2007
ANNAPOLiS JuNCTiON, mD
PRESORTED STANDARD
u.S. POSTAgE PAiD
PERmiT NO. 2538
“Wear your body armor”
National Law Enforcement and
Corrections Technology Center
poster inside
2277 Research Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20850
Mail Stop 8J