Software Tracks Clues From Crime Scenes

Virginia’s four forensic science divisions have turned to software from The Computer Solution Company (TCSC) to help them keep track of evidence from crime scenes, including shotguns, drugs, auto parts, broken windowpanes, and DNA samples.

TCSC’s Forensic Advantage software program allows personnel to enter and track evidence from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

In forensics, a chain of custody must be created that notes who handles each piece of evidence and what, if any, tests were conducted on them. Forensic Advantage currently serves as a backup tracking system because the forensic divisions still develop paper-based chains of custodies.

But Virginia’s department of forensic science eventually wants to migrate to electronic, according to Doug Chandler, information technology supervisor at the Richmond lab. TCSC President David P. Romig II expects that by the end of 2005, there will be 50,000 work hours put into Forensic Advantage, saving about $2 million in development costs.

His firm is about to create a version 2.0 that will permit arresting officers to submit evidence over the Internet.

Forensic Advantage was created to resemble the Microsoft Outlook email program. “And that gives them an additional level of productivity, reducing the amount of training time that’s necessary,” says Romig.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the SOFTWARE TRACKS CLUES FROM CRIME SCENES.