Last month IACP released its Technology Policy Framework. The Framework was developed to help identify useful technologies for public safety and associated metrics for value and performance. The Framework was also motivated by the need to address integration challenges such as infrastructure, multiple platforms, security, technical support, and hardware. A key factor in IACP’s effort is the importance of maintaining public trust, and the implications of new technologies for potentially violating that trust and losing the public’s approval. Continue reading
Author Archives: Ann Quigley
IACP Releases Cloud Guidelines
In January 2013, IACP released the results of its cloud computing survey. Over half of the departments responding said they were already in or planning to go to the cloud. 61% of said the primary reason for going to the cloud was to “save money.”
Today, IACP has just released the updated “Guiding Principles on Cloud Computing in Law Enforcement” guidelines and model policies associated with cloud computing at the IACP conference in Philadelphia. Continue reading
Visionations Attends IACP
Technology was front and center at the 120th Annual International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference in Philadelphia this month with hundreds of exhibitors demonstrating wares from comms equipment and investigative resources to helicopters and mobile command centers. Visionations was there demonstrating CrimePad, the Future of Crime Scene Management. We had engaging discussions with law enforcement and crime lab personnel from coast to coast. In some cases, information technology (IT) personnel came by the booth and then came back again with enforcement or crime lab personnel. In other cases, the initial contact was with investigative or crime scene personnel and they often came back with their IT staff. Some who came to the booth were already using iOS technology. Others were looking to make the business case to make that move. Continue reading
Are Law Enforcement Data Really Safe in the Cloud?
Searching Google for “Is My Stuff Safe in the Cloud?” produces 3,280,000 results. Likely many more people have wondered about than actually asked the question. Whether you are a parent wondering about your kid’s grades being stored there or a CIO leading enterprise wide efforts to “move to the Cloud,” this is a fundamental question you will face. The answer, like those to many of life’s questions, is “it depends.” Well-designed and managed Cloud services can provide unprecedented levels of security and other benefits. But how do you know if that’s what you have? Continue reading
Visionations Attends IAI 2013
The International Education Conference of the International Association for Identification (IAI) was held in Providence, Rhode Island, this month. As described by IAI, “at this important annual Conference world-renowned professionals present the most current scientific educational sessions, utilizing the most efficient methodologies and technical products and advances in the identification field.” Consistent with this purpose, the Visionations team staffed a booth throughout the conference to showcase and demonstrate CrimePad. As with the prior conferences, there was a lot of interest and excellent discussions with crime scene and forensic professionals from a variety of disciplines.
Research Corner: Finger Print Grading; “Forensic Finger” for GSR and Explosives
Periodically we’ll highlight current research relevant to crime scene professionals. This month there are two items of interest: Fingerprint Grading and GSR/Explosives “Forensic Finger”. Continue reading
Jeff Gurvis Presents at ASCLD on “Crime Scene Technologies – Present and Future”
This month, Jeff Gurvis presented at the 2013 American Society of Crime Lab Directors (ASCLD) in Durham, North Carolina. Jeff, a forensic scientist and nationally recognized expert, talked about crime technologies such as panoramic image acquisition and 3D laser scanning. He also discussed forensic technologies such as rapid DNA and antibody profiling. Jeff’s takeaway message described his vision for the real future for crime scene management and investigation – leveraging emerging technologies to facilitate broad-based collaboration. Continue reading
In the Spotlight: New Zealand Police Invest Millions on 10,000 iOS Tablets and Smart Phones
After an almost year-long pilot, the New Zealand Police will deploy iOS devices to thousands of officers, with over 6,000 receiving the devices in the initial rollout. A primary motivator of this initiative is to make officers more efficient. New Zealand estimates that 520,000 hours of front-line police time – thirty minutes per officer per shift – will be freed up to reinvest in policing by officers’ using the devices to check offender details and perform other actions real time in the field that may have otherwise required a trip to the station. Continue reading
Visionations Attends AAFS 2013
Over 5,000 people attended the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS) in Washington, DC. The Visionations team was there and had many great discussions with attendees about CrimePad and the future of crime scene management. Attendee feedback reinforced the value of and need for the functionality developed for the app by our crime scene experts.
CrimePad in Evidence Technology Magazine
January’s edition of Evidence Technology Magazine (Vol. 11, No. 1, January-February 2013) showcased mobile apps for crime scene management, including CrimePad by Visionations. The accompanying article highlights one agency’s path to a tablet app. Continue reading