Inside the World of Chemistry, Calculations, and Clandestine Labs

This is the eighth installment in a series of profiles featuring DEA special agents, diversion investigators, chemists, and more. Learn about the tough but fulfilling, fascinating, and vital work these DEA personnel do, as well as the many different ways to get involved in fighting drug misuse. For our eighth profile, we will be interviewing Senior Research Chemist Joe from the Special Operations Division.

What motivated you to join the DEA?

I began work in a small forensic lab in Fort Worth, Texas. While the work I was exposed to was interesting and diverse, I wanted to grow. A colleague shared an employment offer packet with the stylized lettering “DEA Forensic Chemist.” Upon reading it completely, I knew immediately that was a challenge I wanted. I asked friends around the law enforcement community about any details they might share and learned of a passionate and smart team. To this date, I still love the decision to pursue this career with DEA and I still believe it to be one of the most fulfilling opportunities available in forensics.

What does an average day as a senior research chemist look like for you?

An average day involves me providing chemistry support for drug investigations and intelligence. Chemistry support involves calculations, organic chemistry, assessing precursor viability, and analytical considerations at the lab. This ranges from phone calls, emails, meetings, and even responding to drug crime scenes, such as clandestine laboratories. Additionally, I keep current with the trends in drug manufacturing and smuggling, as well as the evolution of forensic chemistry technology through peer-reviewed scientific articles. As DEA’s mission is global, I do spend a considerable amount of time traveling both domestically and internationally to meet with or present to investigators and other forensic researchers.  

What has been your proudest moment as a senior research chemist thus far?

I’m quite proud of the collaborations that are ongoing with other research institutions. We carry a great many projects with universities and other federal laboratories, both domestic and foreign, that produce advancements in forensics, intelligence, as well as organic and analytical chemistry in peer-reviewed publications, posters, patents, and presentations. There’s a satisfaction that is gained from serving the public and a unique one to contribute to the body of science.

How can young people who wish to become a DEA senior research chemist best prepare themselves for the job?

There are prerequisites for the position of forensic chemists; however, the best preparation is mental. Be willing and eager to take on the most formidable, the most difficult, and the most ominous challenges in your professional career. It’s the culmination of your victories and lessons learned that make for an impactful career in public service. As a professional, learning is self-paced and requires discipline. Much can be learned, especially in Forensic Chemistry, by seeking these challenges directly.

The synthetic opioid fentanyl – often mixed into other drugs – is now responsible for tens of thousands of American deaths per year. How has the fentanyl epidemic changed your job?

The synthetic drug crisis owes its origin and duration to organic chemistry. The very same chemistry that can be altruistic is, in the wrong hands, for profit and peril. As such, DEA’s progressed to include more and more chemists in its day-to-day operations. This includes frequent input on policy, executive advisement, prosecution meetings, and certainly – public outreach. Given the very nature of the potency associated with novel synthetic opioids, forensic chemistry has had to adapt in many ways. Myself and my forensic chemist colleagues throughout the DEA lab system strive to provide the very best support and the most comprehensive analyses in support of investigations.

Forensic Scientist Publishes First Novel

Steve Scarborough “is a Forensic Scientist with over 30 years experience in Law Enforcement with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (yes, home of CSI) and the FBI. He has a B.S. degree in Police Science and has testified in court and presented scientific evidence in almost 300 cases. Steve has given lectures and/or presentations at IAI, SCAFO, NVIAI and other law enforcement conferences on AFIS Workflow & Design, Digital Imaging, Photographic Documentation, the PEPCON (Las Vegas) explosion ,The Daubert Card and Fingerprint Science.” Steve Scarborough is the author of Scrafitto.

According to the book description of Scrafitto “After fleeing the States, ex-homicide cop Mitch Sharp now has a great life as a commercial photographer in a Costa Rican resort town. He describes his new life in picturesque Quepos with a local saying, pura vida, “this is living.” His comfortable existence in the expatriate art community is shattered when someone begins attacking women and cutting them with a razor-like knife, deliberately splattering their blood on nearby walls. The local police are loath to investigate. The Latin macho society wants to ignore the socially uncomfortable crimes against women. Mitch is also reluctant to help, thinking he left that life behind. When the attacks escalate to murder, and Mitch's new love is targeted by the slasher, he can't avoid being drawn in. Isolated in a foreign country, Mitch must combine an unusual team of ex-pats with his investigative and photography skills to stop the killer from striking again.”

One reader of Scrafitto said, “Ex-homicide detective Mitch Sharp has relocated to Costa Rica, bringing some anger issues along in his luggage. He hopes he can settle down into a nice quite life as a photographer until someone starts attacking local women and cutting them with a sharp knife or razor. The attacks escalate to murder, and the local authorities aren't equipped to handle these types of crimes. A new love interest may be the next victim, so a reluctant Mitch pitches in and uses his experience to try to track down the killer. Author Steve Scarborough is a retired Forensic Scientist, so when his character begins to add things up, you can take it to the bank. He knows what he's talking about. This was a good story with a variety of interesting characters, and I'll be looking for more from Steve Scarborough.”

Forensic Science: DNA Backlog

Statement Before the House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security

Dr. Christian Hassell
Assistant Director, Laboratory Division
Federal Bureau of Investigation
May 20, 2010

Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Gohmert, and members of the subcommittee, I would like to thank the members of the subcommittee for inviting the FBI to provide an update on our activities relating to forensic DNA analysis today. Specifically, I will address our efforts to support state and local forensic laboratories as we all work toward eliminating the DNA backlog in forensic casework and the Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, which supports our National DNA database. Using DNA technology in an efficient manner while protecting the integrity of the DNA data generated has been demonstrated to make significant contributions to the investigation of crimes. Our continued work to improve DNA analyses will allow for justice to be served to victims and their families in a timely fashion.

I would emphasize that my testimony today will necessarily be limited to the activities of the FBI relating to the operation of CODIS. That does not exhaust the activities of the Department of Justice relating to DNA backlog reduction, which have included the administration of hundreds of millions of dollars in grant funding to state, tribe, and local jurisdictions for expansion of DNA analysis capacity and direct assistance in clearing DNA backlogs. The grant programs are administered by the Department's Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice rather than the FBI. The Department will be submitting a statement for the record which fully details the activities of other Justice Department components in this area.

The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)

The acronym CODIS is used to describe not only the software used to maintain and run these DNA databases, but also the entire program of software support for federal, state, and local forensic laboratories as well as the various indices (Forensic, Arrestee, Detainee, Offender, and Missing Persons) at all three levels—national, state, and local. The acronym NDIS stands for the National DNA Index System, one component—albeit an integral one—of the CODIS program.

One of the underlying concepts behind the development of CODIS was to create a database of a state’s offender profiles and use it to solve crimes for which there are no suspects. Historically, forensic examinations were performed by laboratories if evidence was available and there was a suspect in the case. By creating a database of the DNA profiles of convicted sex offenders and other violent criminals, forensic laboratories would be able to analyze those cases without suspects and search those DNA profiles against the database of offenders and other crime scenes and determine if a serial or recidivist rapist or murderer was involved. It was expected that this new tool would enable forensic laboratories to generate investigative leads or identify suspects in cases, such as stranger sexual assaults where there may not be any suspects.

The CODIS software is used to maintain these DNA databases and search the DNA profile against the DNA profiles of offenders and other crime scenes. For example, a DNA profile of a suspected perpetrator is developed from the sexual assault evidence kit. If there is no suspect in the case or if the suspect’s DNA profile does not match that of the evidence, the laboratory will search the DNA profile against the Arrestee and Convicted Offender Indices. If there is a match in the Arrestee or Convicted Offender Index, the laboratory will obtain the identity of the suspected perpetrator. If there is no match in the Arrestee or Convicted Offender Index, the DNA profile is searched against the crime scene DNA profiles contained in the Forensic Index. If there is a match in the Forensic Index, the laboratory has linked two or more crimes together and the law enforcement agencies involved in the cases are able to pool the information obtained on each of the cases.

CODIS began as a pilot program in 1990 with a dozen participating state and local laboratories. Today, CODIS is in 189 laboratories across the nation representing 50 states, the U.S. Army Crime Laboratory, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and federally recognized Indian tribes. In addition to the software, the most significant feature of the CODIS program is NDIS, the National DNA Database. NDIS has been in operation since October, 1998. There are currently over eight million offender DNA profiles and 300,000 forensic samples in NDIS. Is CODIS successful? Our primary method of gauging the effectiveness of the CODIS program is the number of investigations it assists by either identifying a perpetrator or by linking serial crimes. Thus far, CODIS has assisted in over 112,000 investigations at the local, state, and national levels.

Legislation Leading to Backlog

As early as the late 1980s, states began to enact laws that required offenders convicted of sexual offenses and other violent crimes to provide DNA samples. These DNA samples were to be analyzed and entered into state DNA databases. As you know, all 50 states now have such DNA database laws. In addition, the following legislation has been passed:

All 50 of the state databasing laws cover offenders convicted of sex offenses.

Forty-eight states, the District of Columbia, the federal government, and the Department of Defense are now authorized to collect from all felony offenders.

Forty-nine states collect DNA samples from offenders on probation as well as those incarcerated in state and local correctional facilities.

Thirty-five states collect DNA samples from offenders convicted of misdemeanor sex offenses.

Thirty-two states include juveniles within their DNA sample collection and database program.

As developers of the CODIS system, the FBI has been in a unique position to observe the implementation of DNA databases across the nation. An identification tool that was initially thought to benefit the investigation of sexual assault cases has proven to have much wider application in the investigation and prosecution of crimes. Moreover, even if only cases involving rapes or other serious crimes are considered, experience shows that the DNA samples that lead to their solution have often been taken because of the perpetrator's arrest or conviction for some other offense that was not sexual or violent in nature. States have observed this first hand and sought to expand coverage of their databases beyond sexual offenses—first to more serious violent felonies and then all felony offenses. Most recently, 23 states have passed legislation authorizing the collection of DNA from individuals arrested for certain felony offenses.

Federal legislation has also expanded in parallel to the state laws which have been passed. The FBI entered a new era of DNA analysis with the passage of the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000. The Federal DNA Databasing Program (formerly the Federal Convicted Offender Program) was initiated in 2001 as a result of this federal statute. The act authorized officials from the Bureau of Prisons and United States Probation Offices to collect DNA samples from individuals convicted of violent federal offenses on a nationwide scale, and to furnish these samples to the FBI Director. The act also authorized the FBI Laboratory to generate DNA profiles for such samples, and to enter the resulting DNA information into NDIS. The following year, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 was enacted, broadening the scope of qualifying offenses to include any crimes of violence or terrorism (including threats of violence and conspiracy to commit terrorism). Between 2001 and 2004, the FBI Laboratory received an average of 7,000 offender samples annually. In October of 2004, the president signed into law the Justice for All Act of 2004, which amended the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to include all federal felony offenses as qualifying for submission to the FBI Laboratory. The Bureau of Prisons and United States Probation estimated this legislation would result in the initial collection of approximately 100,000 samples from each agency. It was further projected that an additional 75,000 samples from federal offenders would be received thereafter on an annual basis.

In January 2006 and July 2006, the most recent federal legislation was enacted, titled The DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005 and The Adam Walsh Child Safety and Protection Act of 2006. These acts authorize the attorney general to collect DNA samples from individuals who are arrested, facing charges, or convicted, and from non-United States persons who are detained under the authority of the United States. The principal investigative agencies of the Department of Justice—the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Marshals Service—have implemented this reform and are collecting DNA samples from their arrestees.

The analysis of the biological evidence collected from crime scenes, regardless of whether a suspect has been identified in that case, is equally as important as the analysis of the offender samples. We know that state and local laboratories do not currently have the capacity to analyze all the cases with biological evidence that are submitted to them. Because of limited capacities, laboratories are forced to prioritize their cases based upon court dates and whether or not a suspect has been identified. This oftentimes leaves those cases for which there are no suspects, and the cases for which CODIS was specifically designed, unanalyzed in evidence or laboratory storage.

Enhancing NDIS Efficiency

Clearly, one of the reasons for the offender and forensic DNA backlogs that exist today is the fact that states may have implemented legislation such as that described above covering a larger number of offenders than could be accommodated by their laboratory. Federal grant programs administered by the Office of Justice Programs within the Department of Justice have helped by providing funding for states to analyze their samples in-house or to contract out the analysis of these samples, but there are still efficiencies that can be gained if we re-examine this issue from every angle.

In order to enhance the efficiency of the nation’s DNA database, the FBI has established an ongoing dialogue with various groups to gain a broader perspective and better understand the needs of the entire law enforcement community. Those groups include the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD), the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM), the CODIS State Administrators, the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and various federal, state, local, and tribal agencies. The FBI is committed to seeking common ground in the interest of protecting the public, reducing backlogs, ensuring privacy, and maintaining the integrity of NDIS.

The FBI Laboratory is currently performing a review to determine what improvements can be made to facilitate more efficient and timely uploading of DNA data into NDIS. No changes have been made to any procedures or standards to date. The review includes a working group which is receiving input from state and local agencies to determine what changes need to be made to NDIS procedures and/or the federal quality assurance standards to improve operational efficiency. The FBI considers this review to be a regular, healthy activity resulting from improvements in technology and lessons learned from almost 12 years of experience in the operation of NDIS. As the administrator of this national database, the FBI has an obligation to perform this procedural review to ensure that law enforcement agencies are not hindered by procedural limitations, thus limiting the number of samples added to NDIS and decreasing the efficacy of NDIS in solving crime. At the same time, the FBI is obligated to ensure that the quality of the data in NDIS is not endangered by lack of oversight and procedural integrity, which would also serve to decrease the utility of NDIS in solving crime.

The FBI’s assessment does not include re-evaluating access to NDIS. Access to NDIS is currently limited to federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies (see 42 U.S.C. §14132). The maintenance and administration of databases that contain sensitive law enforcement information, to include biographical and biometric information on U.S. citizens, is an inherently governmental function, particularly given the privacy considerations relative to DNA records and criminal histories. Necessary improvements can be gained by enhancing the efficiency of NDIS procedures.

Private laboratories, which analyze DNA samples on behalf of federal, state, and local crime laboratories, play an important role in the NDIS process. Approximately half of the DNA offender DNA records in NDIS were analyzed by private laboratories operating under contract to government agencies. The FBI Laboratory is currently re-evaluating existing policies, standards, and protocols that guide the use and role of private laboratories in law enforcement DNA analysis as a means to increase capacity and throughput of our current system. Public law enforcement and private laboratories that contribute data to NDIS must be accredited. The FBI Laboratory is reviewing and evaluating the differences in oversight for these public and private laboratories and considering ways in which private laboratories could be monitored to ensure full compliance with the same standards and oversight as public DNA laboratories. Currently, NDIS participating public laboratories demonstrate compliance with the national quality assurance standards by submitting all external audits and corrective actions to the FBI for review and are subject to audit by the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General. The FBI is considering mechanisms by which private laboratories could be subjected to a similar level of oversight and quality assurance review. In addition, the FBI Laboratory is investigating improvements with regard to the use of expert data analysis systems by private laboratories, the requirement of on-site visits of private labs prior to their beginning DNA analyses for government agencies, and the 100 percent technical review by a public laboratory of outsourced/contracted DNA records before upload into NDIS.

DNA analysis and, by extension, DNA databases, have proven to be invaluable to the law enforcement community and victims of crime and their families. Since more crimes are solved as more records are placed into the database, enhancing the operational procedures for optimal efficiency of NDIS is imperative. The forensic DNA community has established a precedent for always confirming its assumptions and validating the basis for its decisions. This re-evaluation of NDIS procedures is no different and has the potential to more expeditiously assist law enforcement agencies in solving crimes.

I appreciate the opportunity to appear before this subcommittee and provide this information on CODIS and our DNA program. Thank you.

Forensic Investigator

On July 24, 2009, Conversations with American Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion with Esther McKay, a former Detective Senior Constable and Forensic Investigator with the New South Wales Police Force (Australia).

Program Date: July 24, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Forensic Investigator
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/07/25/Forensic-Investigator

About the Guest
Esther Mckay served seventeen years in the New South Wales Police Force, attaining the rank of Detective (technical) Senior Constable. She worked in the area of Forensic Services for fifteen years, attaining expert status in crime scene examination and vehicle identification. She also worked in Training and Research, as well as Document Examination. She has a Diploma of Applied Science in Forensic Investigation (NSW Police), and was awarded the National Medal for service in 2001 and the Ethical and Diligent Police Service medal with fifteen-year clasp in 2008.

Esther Mckay was discharged from the force in 2001 with post-traumatic stress disorder as a direct result of her forensic work. Her best-selling autobiography, Crime Scene: True Stories from the Life of a Forensic Investigator.

Esther Mckay works actively in supporting traumatized serving and former Police and is the President of the Police Post Trauma Support Group. She was awarded the Pride of Australia Medal in 2007 for Community Spirit for her work with traumatized Police, and regularly speaks to various groups and schools about her life experience, writing and former forensic work. Esther is patron of the Australian Missing Persons Register and has been an Australia Day Ambassador since 2007. She lives in the Southern Highlands with her husband and two children.

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is Police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Public Safety Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/07/25/Forensic-Investigator

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

Public Safety Technology in the News

Phila. Police to Be Permitted Larger Caliber Handguns
Philadelphia Inquirer, (12/06/2008), Andrew Maykuth

Police in Philadelphia will soon have more firepower. In 2009, officers will be allowed to carry .40- and .45-caliber semiautomatic handguns to replace their 9 mm pistols. The police weapons upgrade is seen as a means to provide officers with more tools to subdue criminals, who often carry powerful weapons. Offices will have to pay for the new guns, which cost $500 each. The larger caliber guns fire heavier and slower bullets, which are more likely to stop an adversary. Other Law Enforcement agencies that allow their officers to carry .45-caliber guns include the Los Angeles Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police.
www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/20081206_Phila__police_to_be_permitted_larger-caliber_handguns.html

L.A. Co. Gets Cutting-Edge Lie Detector
KABC-TV Los Angeles, (12/08/2008), Robert Holguin

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's crime lab is testing lie detector technology that monitors the human voice. Traditional polygraph tests measure stress levels via changes in heart rate and breathing, while layered voice analysis technology measures the frequencies in a person's voice, even those inaudible to the human ear. Developers say the technology's success rate in clinical trials is 95 percent. During interviews, it alerts Law Enforcement investigators to a possible lie via computer messages such as "false statement" and "S.O.S."
abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/bizarre&id=6554064

Group Wants Obama to Name Officer to Fight Online Dangers
Washington Post, (12/11/2008), Kim Hart

The Family Online Safety Institute is urging President-elect Barak Obama to appoint a national safety officer to strengthen resources to protect children from cyber crime. The individual would serve under a chief technology officer. The institute also wants $100 million a year for education and research, an annual White House summit on safety issues and a national council to coordinate federal, advocacy and industry efforts. Young people are often unaware of the information security risks posed by the mobile devices and Web sites they use. Children are vulnerable to cyber bullying, identify theft, exposure to inappropriate material and abusive messages.
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/10/AR2008121001860.html

Denver Airport Center Adopts National Incident Management System
PRWeb Press Release Newswire, (12/15/2008)

Hotels at Denver Airport Center will soon be using crisis response measures developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The center will train airport hotel staff on procedures using the National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System. The training is aimed at helping staff deal with a broad range of potential emergencies hotels could face, such as fire, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, hazardous materials incidents, terrorist incidents and criminal acts. Special emphasis will be placed on interoperability with first responders.
www.prweb.com/releases/hotel/safety/prweb1752134.htm

UT Professor Refines Art of Looking Behind Walls
Austin American-Statesman, (12/14/2008), Dan Zehr

A University of Texas engineering professor is researching how to use weather radar technology to see through walls. The research, if successful, could result in technology to help soldiers, police and rescue workers locate people behind walls or inside crumbled buildings. Hao Ling and his research team are working with Doppler radar technology to transform radar waves into understandable images of a human behind a wall, crafting a program that would simulate a variety of wave patterns created by people in motion.
www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/technology/12/14/1214innovator.html

KDHE, Local Law Enforcement Partner for New DUI Instruments
WIBW.com, (12/03/2008)

Kansas authorities are using enhanced technology to detect drunk drivers. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is making 200 of the Intoxilyzer 8000 devices available to Law Enforcement. The department's Breath Alcohol Program is responsible for the certification of agencies, instruments and officers who test drivers suspected of driving under the influence. The program has recertified or newly certified about 4,400 officers. The updated technology is more accurate, easier to use and more mobile, enabling officers to run more impaired driving checks.
www.wibw.com/localnews/headlines/35473849.html

`Hands Free' Cell Phones No Safer
DailyBreeze.com, (12/14/2008), Sue Doyle

Drivers using cell phones, even if hands free, are four times more likely to have an accident, according to a new report. The American Automobile Association's Foundation for Traffic Safety found that dialing and talking on cell phones detracts from drivers' attention to the road and delays drivers' reaction times by 0.23 seconds. California drivers and other jurisdictions around the United States have been banned from using hand-held cell phones behind the wheel, but there are no plans to institute a total driver cell phone ban.
www.dailybreeze.com/ci_11234757

AP IMPACT: More Are Getting Away With Murder
Associated Press, (11/20/2008), Karen Hawkins

A rise in drug- and gang-related killings is making it harder to solve homicides in the United States. According to FBI figures, the homicide clearance rate in the United States was 61 percent in 2007, compared with 91 percent in 1963. The clearance rate is the number of homicides solved in a year, compared with the number of killings that year. In more cases now, the killer and victim do not know each other, and witnesses are often intimated by gangs and frightened to come forward with information. Increased use of DNA technology and other forensic techniques has been helpful in solving cold cases, but technology can't do it all and funding for cold case police units has decreased. Finding witnesses and getting them to talk is still an integral part of investigations.
www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5joS5laq3heWsM_dttDXEsiH4ifoAD94UP1M00

Ripon Police to Hone Skills With Firearm Simulators
Modesto Bee, (12/12/2008), Leslie Albrecht

Police in Ripon, Calif., will be testing three firearms simulators for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) over the next year. The simulators show a variety of scenarios that may require an officer to fire a weapon, and will allow officers to practice "shoot-or-don't-shoot" situations. Officers who "fire" a weapon will see the path of the bullet on the simulator, testing their skills in unpredictable environments instead of on a firing range. The police department will provide feedback on the simulators to DOJ's Rural Law Enforcement technology Center.
www.modbee.com/local/story/529446.html

Prison Officials Ask for $66 million to Help Stop Cell Phone Smuggling
Austin American-Statesman (12/04/2008), Mike Ward

Texas corrections officials have proposed spending nearly $66 million on high-technology screening equipment to thwart smuggling of contraband into the state's prisons. Under the proposal, screening equipment similar to that used in the nation's airports would be installed in the state's 20 largest maximum security prisons. An extensive surveillance camera network would also be added. The rest of the prison system's 92 facilities would receive walk-through metal detectors and parcel screening devices similar to those used in courthouses.
www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/12/04/1204cellphones.html

New Online Event: Sexual Assault on College Campuses

December 11, 2008: 2-4 pm (EST)
Online event. Registration required, and free of charge.

This event is the last of four in the Series on Sexual Violence, sponsored by the Government Innovators Network and the National Institute of Justice. Additional event topics include sexual violence from an international perspective, sexual violence and evidence collection, and residency restrictions for sex offenders. Ample time will be allocated for audience Q&A.

Did you know that more than 50% of college sexual assault cases involve alcohol? Despite media perceptions, date rape drugs are rarely used. Schools vary widely in how they comply with requirements to report and respond to sexual victimization. Many schools need guidance on how to handle security, report crime data, and ensure victim rights.

This event will examine the prevalence, nature, and reporting of various types of sexual assault experienced by university students, including those perpetrated by "undetected" rapists, and will discuss evidence-based prevention strategies. The discussion will be moderated by Marnie Shiels, Attorney Advisor for the Office on Violence against Women. The panel includes:

Chris Krebs - Senior Research Social Scientist, RTI International
David Lisak - Forensic Consulting, Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts, Boston
Dorothy Edwards - Director, The Violence Intervention and Prevention Center, University of Kentucky

MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTER
http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/spotlight.html?id=1841&preview=0

The unique CCTV Camera Evaluation Service

For quite some time, it’s become increasingly obvious that vast numbers of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) security cameras, are failing to produce any useful Evidential Quality video recordings, when required to assist with criminal investigations.

Time and again, both senior police officers and industry experts have revealed to the Press, the everyday problems facing investigators trying to recover poor quality images, often obtained from incorrectly installed and maintained surveillance cameras.

Now more than ever, with an increasing awareness of the absolutely vital role for CCTV, particularly in investigations involving serious crimes and terrorism, CCTV Operators really do need to take urgent steps to improve the effectiveness of their systems, to make sure they are truly “fit for purpose”.

October 1st 2008 saw the official launch of a unique new CCTV service called “VIPER”.

Designed to provide an easy, affordable expert assessment of security camera performance, the “Video Image Performance Evaluation Report” or VIPER, is now available to indicate how well an individual camera is performing as a vital evidential security tool.

UK based CCTV Advisor ‘Doktor Jon’, has introduced what is believed to be the first ever online service, that can actually provide CCTV Operators with an impartial and independent overview of precisely how their CCTV cameras are performing, and what technical issues may need to be addressed in order for the equipment to be able to provide useful and usable evidential quality images.

The service itself is very simple ... a CCTV User can forward an image captured from an individual surveillance camera (normally supplied as a JPEG file, sent as an e-mail attachment), and a resulting VIPER assessment will be produced to report on the cameras technical and operational capabilities in 38 key areas.

VIPER reports can be ordered up by CCTV users located anywhere around the globe, and in terms of built in client confidentiality, there is no requirement for either knowing the identity of the operator, or indeed the location of the camera. The evaluation is based purely on what is seen ‘on screen’, and so provides an exceptionally affordable, practical and secure solution, to an extremely common problem ... “how can I find out if my CCTV cameras are working well?”.

The first VIPER assessment is designed for fixed video surveillance cameras, and a number of additional VIPER evaluations are being developed for other types of CCTV, for example remote control Pan, Tilt and Zoom (PTZ) units.


Jon, the principle CCTV Advisor from the website doktorjon.co.uk has said that “Previously, cctv users have only been able to have their cameras performance evaluated independently, by employing the services of a specialist CCTV Consultant, and that can often prove to be very expensive. Now with the launch of VIPER, anyone can check whether their cameras are working well, and without breaking the bank”; -commenting on the importance of VIPER, he says “Law Enforcement Officers have long been complaining about the very poor quality of many CCTV recordings; from the extremely positive comments received to date, this looks like exactly what’s needed to help raise the performance, suitability and effectiveness of vital Forensic Surveillance evidence”.

More information at http://www.doktorjon.co.uk/cctvimage.html
or e-mail to:- viper[at]doktorjon.co.uk

Notes for Editors:- Doktor Jon is a UK based specialist CCTV Advisor working in the Industry since 1978. In June 2004, he launched his personal website project at http://www.doktorjon.co.uk , which has since grown into a unique site with almost 1,600 pages of information and advice on all aspects of “The Use and Application of CCTV”; to date it has attracted nearly two and a half million hits, and visitors from 141 countries.

Hunter Adopted by Hopkins

July 29, 2008, (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com is a website that lists state and local police officers who have written books. James H. Lilley, the Police-Writer.com Author of the Year (2008), has had his book, The Eyes of the Hunter, adopted by Johns Hopkins University.

James H. Lilley is a former Marine and Police Sergeant with the Howard County Police Department (Maryland). He worked in the Uniformed Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations Division, Forensic Services (CSI) and Drug Enforcement Division. His Street Drug Unit was featured in the book "Undercover" by Hans Halberstadt and published by Simon and Schuster. Some of his awards include The Medal of Valor, Four Bronze Stars, Four Unit Citations and the Governor's Citation. He is also an 8th Degree Black Belt in Shorin Ryu Karate. James Lilley is the author of seven books: A Question of Honor; The Eyes of the Hunter; The Far Side of the Bridge; Just Retribution; A Miracle for Tony Clements; Death Knocks Twice, and, A Tony Clements Christmas Miracle.

According to Sheldon Greenberg, Ph.D. (Associate Dean, School of Education, Johns Hopkins University), “The Eyes of the Hunter will be used as a text for the Communications course in the Master of Science in Intelligence Analysis degree program at Johns Hopkins University.” Dr. Sheldon continued that Lilley’s book will help the students “focus on creativity and critical thinking, research, understanding the audience, and formulating meaningful written documents.”

The course The Eyes of the Hunter will be used in is “Communications: Fact, Opinion, Significance, and Consequence.” According to the course description, “Within the intelligence community, findings are of little value unless they are communicated well. Dissemination of findings is essential to the success of any analysis or research. Students learn to deliver written, oral, and visual presentations for maximum effect by considering factors such as intended outcome, timing, structure, and method. Working individually and in small groups, students address issues such as lack of time to plan and prepare, unfamiliarity with the customer (end user of analytical documents), disruption and change, and coping with the unexpected. Students receive ongoing feedback on their communication style and effectiveness.

The ability to justify and present an analytical conclusion in clear, succinct prose is essential to supplying policy makers with information they need to formulate decisions. Students consider traditional and innovative methods of intelligence writing and briefing, focusing on the difference between fact and opinion. Students prepare written reports and presentations on a variety of topics and, in doing so, construct narratives, establish project credibility, convey recommendations, and reinforce key messages.”

Police-Writers.com now hosts 1029 police officers (representing 431 police departments) and their 2189 criminal justice books in 33 categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.

Public Safety Technology in the News

Mapping Technology Used to Curb Drunk Driving
9news.com, (06/28/2008), Adam Chodak

The Weld County (Colorado) Sheriff's Office is using GIS Technology to reduce drunken driving incidents. The agency has the responsibility of patrolling and monitoring 3,000 miles of roads. In an effort to prevent and reduce DUI incidents, the agency is using GIS Technology to help generate "hotspot" maps that key on DUI-related traffic reports. Officers then use the information as a guide when conducting DUI checkpoints. Prior to the use of GIS Technology, the agency relied on word-of-mouth reports or used officers to review traffic reports to assess where to place the checkpoints. Agency officials say the use of GIS Technology has led to more effective use of agency resources and staff.
www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=94655&catid=188

Police Get High-Tech Help
Opelika-Auburn News, (07/07/2008), Katie Stallcup

Veteran law enforcement officers have the ability and perspective to see firsthand how Technology has affected their jobs. Technology advancements include the use of mobile data terminals (MDTs) in police cruisers versus officers having to return to the station to work at a desktop computer, or in some cases a typewriter, to fill out forms or search for information. Another equipment advancement is the use of lightweight body armor, as opposed to body armor of the 1970s that was big, bulky, and very rigid. Technology advancements in other aspects of law enforcement have led to the conclusion that technology is becoming an important aspect of an officer's job; however face-to-face human contact is still important for the communities they serve.
www.oanow.com/oan/news/local/article/police_get_high_tech_help/21761/

McCain Pushes for Public Safety Network
Cnet.com, (07/02/2008), Marguerite Reardon

Senator John McCain has indicated his support for the establishment of a National Public Safety Network. Speaking at the National Sheriff's Association's annual conference in July, McCain, who is the presumptive Republican nominee for president, said his plan is to have the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) make more radio spectrum available for public safety, while limiting the amount of spectrum available for the private sector. The FCC auctioned off a portion of the spectrum that will be vacated as a result of the transition of TV broadcasts from analog to digital in 2009. The auction, however, did not provide the anticipated results, so a second auction may occur. The FCC is also exploring a possible auction of "white space" spectrum, the area between broadcast TV channels. Internet and computer companies have indicated that this portion of the spectrum could be used for wireless broadband networking.
news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-9983187-94.html

Police Wnt U to Fight crime w/txt Msgs
Associated Press, (07/02/2008), Mitch Stacy

Since police agencies in Boston and Cincinnati began accepting text messages about a year ago, the number of agencies that have adopted or plan to adopt similar Technology has grown to more than 100. The option has already proved useful for a hearing-impaired man in Boston who used text messaging to file a domestic violence report. For citizen tipsters, the system allows anonymity by routing messages through a server that encrypts the tipster's cell phone number. Rewards for successful tips are still offered; the text message tip provider is issued a code to provide to the bank issuing the reward. Agencies acknowledge that just like crime hotlines, text messaging may take time to catch on, and officers need time to become fluent in text message shorthand, but the potential exists for success.
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080702/ap_on_hi_te/police_text_messages

Hernando: Interactive crime Tracking
Tampa Bay's 10 News, (07/07/2008), Elizabeth Gold

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office in Florida is the first county in the State, and one of five nationally, to implement an online crime mapping system available to the public. Citizens with computer access can view an interactive map of the agency's service area and zoom in to get details of various crimes by clicking on an icon. The site statistics and information go back only 30 days to reduce volume, and the information will be updated every morning. Florida law prohibits the agency from providing data that could put a victim's safety at risk in cases like child abuse, stalking, or other sex crimes.
www.tampabays10.com/news/local/crime/story.aspx?storyid=84279&catid=82

Non-Lethal Weapons: Police Technology Targets Enhanced Safety
News.inventhelp.com, (07/08/2008), Shad Connelly

Tools for law enforcement that make apprehension of suspects safer for all parties involved are being developed for many scenarios. For example, the StarChase System mounts inside the grill of a patrol car. It uses a compressed air launcher with a laser targeting system to launch at the fleeing vehicle a GPS device that contains a transmitter, a receiver, and a power supply. Once the device is deployed, dispatchers and other qualified agency personnel can track the car and use the data to facilitate an intercept of the suspect vehicle. They can also decide that officers should discontinue the pursuit and track the vehicle to a better location for apprehension. For foot patrol officers, a LED Incapacitator is available that works the same way as a flashlight. It uses an extremely bright flashing sequence in multiple colors and patterns that makes it difficult for a human brain to adjust. This disorients the suspect, temporarily providing the officer with cover and the chan! ce to apprehend the suspect.
news.inventhelp.com/Articles/Security/Inventions/starchase-12468.aspx

Dogs' New Trick: Finding Cell Phones
The Washington Post, (07/10/2008), Dan Morse

The Maryland Department of Corrections has enlisted the services of three dogs to thwart smuggling of cell phones into prisons. Cell phones in prison provide inmates the opportunity to continue to carry on illegal activity outside the prison, threaten or intimidate witnesses relating to their case, or conduct activity within the prison. The part of the cell phone that dogs key on for searches is not clear, but for dogs cell phone detection is harder that marijuana detection. Also employing this technique is the Virginia Department of Corrections, which currently has six dogs trained.
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/09/AR2008070902174.html?hpid=topnews

Company Designs law enforcement Tool
The Stamford Times, (07/10/2008), Stephanie Paulino

A new product will help law enforcement gather cell phone forensic. Developed by iCard Forensics, Trace can extract data from one of the 1,300 cell phones it is compatible with and then generate a report for use by investigators. The report can detail inbound and outbound calls, e-mail, phone location in relation to cell towers, and text and photo messaging. The unit employs write blocker to prevent damage to the cell phone and possible evidence during extraction. Trace is capable of interacting with Verizon, Sprint/Nextel, and AT&T phones. The product will be distributed to agencies on a case-by-case basis, and includes a 1-year license that will have to be renewed.
www.thestamfordtimes.com/stamford_templates/stamford_story/360418338572963.php

OnStar Can 'Catch' Stolen Vehicles
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, (07/09/2008), Jill King Greenwood

New antitheft Technology from OnStar will serve to keep citizens safe and help law enforcement end pursuits in safely. The Pennsylvania State Police received a demonstration of how the product works. Once the vehicle is reported stolen or identified by police as stolen, the OnStar dispatcher can enable the hazard lights to alert other drivers that the car is experiencing a problem and to alert law enforcement that the car is equipped with OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown Technology. The hazard lights are only visible outside the vehicle; the thief will see nothing on the console. The officers can then contact OnStar to activate the system, which will allow the driver to steer and brake, but the car will slow down regardless of how hard the driver presses the gas pedal. Once the situation is declared clear by police OnStar will reactivate the car.
www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_576648.html

New Pornography-Detection Tool Makes It Difficult for Sex Offenders and Teens to Hide Pornography
PRWeb.com, (07/10/2008)

A tool originally developed for and used by law enforcement to investigate pornography is being expanded for use by parents, schools, and businesses. SurfRecon 2008, developed by SurfRecon, Inc., is a portable, rapid-image-analysis tool that can identify pornographic material on most computers systems. The package provides law enforcement with the ability to quickly scan a computer to locate, group, report on, and delete files from the computer. The company felt the Technology is a tool that could benefit parents and business. Local, State, and Federal law enforcement and adult parole and probation officers currently use the product, which comes preinstalled on a thumb or flash drive for portability.
www.prweb.com/releases/surfrecon/tool/prweb1015174.htm

Homicide Investigations

On August 1, 2008, Conversations with Cops at the Watering Hole will feature a conversation with Lieutenant-Commander Vernon J. Geberth, M.S., M.P.S. (NYPD, ret.) on homicide investigations.

Program Date: August 1, 2008
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Homicide Investigations
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement

About the Guest

Vernon J. Geberth, M.S., M.P.S. is a retired Lieutenant-Commander of the New York City Police Department with over forty years of law enforcement experience. He has personally investigated, supervised, assessed, researched and consulted on over 8000 death investigations. In addition, Commander Vernon J. Geberth has been the recipient of more than 60 awards for bravery and exceptional police work and is a member of the New York City Police Department’s Honor Legion.

Commander Vernon J. Geberth has a Master’s Degree of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) C.W. Post College, Long Island University and a second Master’s of Science Degree in Psychology (M.S.), California Coast University, Santa Ana, California. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) at Iona College in New Rochelle, New York and he is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia 119th Session, (1979). Commander Vernon J. Geberth is a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS).

Commander Geberth, is the author of Practical Homicide Investigation: Tactics, Procedures, and Forensic Techniques, which is now in it’s Fourth Edition and is recognized in the law enforcement field as "The Bible of Homicide Investigation" and the Practical Homicide Investigation Checklist and Field Guide, which is considered by professionals as an essential prerequisite in conducting proficient death inquiries. He is also the author of Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation: Practical and Clinical Perspectives, which is considered the framework textbook on sex-related murder.

In addition, he created and serves as the Series Editor of Practical Aspects of Criminal and Forensic Investigations for Taylor & Francis CRC Press, LLC Inc. in Boca Raton, Florida and has proposed and edited over forty publications within this series.

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, law enforcement technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

Public Safety Technology in the News

Military WrapsTM Unveils New Camouflage Technology PIRATETM
Stockhouse.com, (06/13/2008)

To aid law enforcement and military personnel in achieving realistic training exercises, Military WrapsTM, Inc., which specializes in camouflage concealment, has created Photo-Immersive Realistic Aides for Training Environments (PIRATETM). The system is designed to accurately create and depict situations based on high-megapixel images that can be altered to enhance the perception of scale and perspective for the user, and then the images are printed to special vinyls. These vinyls can be used to make rooms, offices, city blocks, schools, or parade routes and then be applied to the interior or exterior of the agencies training facility.
www.stockhouse.com/News/USReleasesDetail.aspx?n=6939185

Tasers Getting More Prominent Role in Crime Fighting in City
The New York Times, (06/15/2008), Al Baker

One of the Nation's largest police forces is re-evaluating the use of the Taser as a less-lethal option for the department. However, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) isn't just putting the units out on the streets; it is using a study from the RAND Corporation, using feedback from department personnel about the study, and using an internal study between two similar departments (one with the Taser and one without) as a guide for the implementation of the Taser. The RAND study was commissioned in 2007 after a police-involved shooting found two things: that additional study would be needed based on current available Taser use data, and the department's 455 fatal police-involved shootings may have ended differently had a Taser been an alternative. For now, NYPD's plan is to move Tasers from the trunks of certain vehicles to the gun belts of the agency's 3,500 sergeants while continuing to analyze full implementation of the Taser units.
www.nytimes.com/2008/06/15/nyregion/15taser.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion&oref=slogin

GE Security's MobileTrace Helps Iredell County Sheriff Identify Narcotics-Tainted Cash
BusinessWire.com, (06/16/2008)

Iredell County Sheriff's Office officers using GE Security, Inc's MobileTrace were able to seize almost $300,000 cash from a rental car stop. The MobileTrace technology is portable and capable of detecting explosive and narcotics at the same time. The information collected by the units can be used as evidence and allows officers to evaluate findings in a timely fashion while in the field.
www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080616005275&newsLang=en

DuPont Announces New Kevlar Technology
Forbes.com, (06/16/2008), Randall Chase

The development of a more demanding National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standard for body armor has resulted in DuPont, Inc., producing a new Kevlar product. The new product is a lighter woven material coupled with a new process for coating the fibers. According to DuPont, the new material will stop the projectile sooner with less layers, allowing the remaining layers to protect against backface deformation. The new material will have a broad range of applications for the company, but initially the aim is greater protection for law enforcement against high-caliber handguns.
www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/06/16/ap5121589.html

Tech-Savvy: Mineral Co. Sheriff's Office Gets New Equipment
News-Tribune, (06/13/2008), Bobbie Carpenter

The Mineral County Sheriff's Office is purchasing laptops to be installed in 6 of the agency's 12 cruisers. These laptops must be in place and be used to transmit electronic traffic reports by 2009 in order to comply with a State mandated law. The first six laptops were purchased using a Federal grant from the Governor's Highway Safety Program, and additional laptops for the remaining cruisers will hopefully be funded through the county's budget. The sheriff's office used concealed weapons funding to purchase the mounts for the first six vehicles to be equipped with the laptops.
www.newstribune.info/news/x822800157/Tech-savvy-Mineral-Co-Sheriff-s-Department-gets-new-equipment

Police Use GPS-Equipped Bait Car to Catch Car Thieves
Government Technology, (06/09/2008), Jim McKay

Catching car thieves using a bait car began in the late 1990s, but required much police manpower to monitor the vehicle. Times have changed, and now officers can go about their regular duties instead of monitoring the vehicle. In Sacramento, California, the bait car is equipped with GPS that activates should the car be tampered with or started, and alerts police dispatch at the command center so they can track the vehicle's location and notify nearby officers to respond. Should the thief try to run when officers attempt to stop the vehicle, the dispatcher will be notified and has the ability to activate the car's kill switch, which will gradually slow down and shut off the vehicle. For added measure, the dispatcher can also lock the car to prevent the thief from running away on foot. Benefits of this type of system are huge, both for police and the public because it eliminates and/or significantly reduces the opportunity for a high-speed chase.
www.govtech.com/gt/366274?topic=117680

CSI: Anchorage-Summertime Sleuths
Anchorage Daily News, (06/16/2008), Megan Holland

Riding the popularity wave of the "CSI" series and subsequent spinoffs, a summer camp started by a South Anchorage High biology teacher draws on the popularity to teach students and maybe develop future forensic specialists. Students participate in mock crime scenes to gather and analyze evidence to help solve the "crime." Along the way, and without noticing because of the fun they are having, students learn biology, chemistry, and physics. The camp is operated by the Fraternal Order of Alaska State Troopers.
www.adn.com/crime/story/437803.html

DNA Evidence Gains Acceptance as a Key Tool in Robbery Cases
The Wall Street Journal, (06/19/2008), Gautam Naik

DNA evidence more commonly used for serious offenses like rape or murder is now being considered as an option for helping to solve property crimes. However, the down side to what seems to be an effective tool is the cost associated with such analysis. Analysis may be or can be more than some jurisdictions can afford. A five-city pilot project funded by the National Institute of Justice indicated that DNA evidence can have a powerful and positive affect on property crime investigations. According to Steve Allison of the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center at Denver University, "People committing serious crimes usually start on smaller ones. So through this process you can get these people identified and in the system earlier." This concept is now new in Great Britain, which has embraced a broader use of DNA evidence, and because of the results the U.S. Department of Justice funded this five-city project.
online.wsj.com/article_email/SB121384113207187445-lMyQjAxMDI4MTEzOTgxNDkxWj.html

Tracking the Event Horizon
Corrections.com, (06/17/2008), Ann Coppola

The 9th Annual Innovative Technologies for Community Corrections conference highlighted the latest innovations in tools for offender monitoring, as well as risk assessment and testing, but it also showcased tools and technology not yet available to practitioners. Conference attendees involved in various aspects of community corrections came from several foreign countries and 44 U.S. States. One technology on display was hybrid GPS tracking that incorporated cellular communications to ensure indoor tracking and monitoring. The conference sponsor, the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center-Rocky Mountain, introduced the newest version of Field Search and discussed the future release of a Macintosh compatible version. Of particular note was the increase in law enforcement attendees. Agencies are seeing advantages to working with those in the community corrections field due to the information produced as a result of offender monitoring.
www.corrections.com/news/article/18816

Pistol Cam: When Cops Draw This Point-and-Shoot, Say Cheese
Wired.com, (06/23/2008), Vince Beiser

The SWAT team of the Orange County (New York) Sheriff's Office has recently begun using the PistolCam. The PistolCam is a small device, combining a video camera, a flashlight, and a laser sight, that attaches to the underside of a gun barrel. The camera begins recording when the gun is drawn and can store an hour of video. Developed by Legend Technologies, the PistolCam is priced at $695.
www.wired.com/gadgets/miscellaneous/magazine/16-07/st_pistolcams

Public Safety Technology in the News

MDI, Inc.'s LearnSafe™ Initiative Launches LearnSafe Direct™ -Nation's First and Only School Safety and Security Products and Services Catalog
BusinessWire, (06/09/2008)

MDI, Inc, creators of the LearnSafe Initiative, has published the LearnSafe Direct catalog, which is geared entirely toward marketing school safety and technology products, services, and training to educational institutions. LearnSafe staff will be attending and conducting presentations at various events over the summer to the target audience for their catalog and using these events to educate attendees on the value of school safety initiatives that involve the entire district. The company also announced a product called Sentinel, which will allow authorized personnel to remotely log into school surveillance cameras and control the units' functions for review before, during, and after an incident occurs.
www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080609005712&newsLang=en

The Many Roles of Thermal Imaging in Law Enforcement
Advanced Imaging Magazine, (06/2008), David Lee

Thermal imaging technology, once reserved for the 5 percent of the 5,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States that have aerial patrol units, is now being made available to the 95 percent of agencies that do not have aerial patrol capabilities. Developments in this field have yielded units that are capable of being mounted to poles or patrol vehicles, and officers can now use handheld units while on patrol. These capabilities were once believed to be unattainable, but now are available for patrol officers in the air, on land, and in water. They can be portable or stationary depending on the need of the department.
www.advancedimagingpro.com/print/Advanced-Imaging-Magazine/The-Many-Roles-of-Thermal-Imaging-in-Law-Enforcement/1$5203

Leverage Leads Wireless Video Surveillance Solution for Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's ASAP Program
FoxBusiness, (06/06/2008)

In an attempt to increase officer safety and decrease the amount of crime in Lynwood, California, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Century Station, has implemented the Advanced Surveillance and Protection (ASAP) program. Developers of the program based it on the adoption of multiple crime prevention technologies such as gunshot detection and automated license plate recognition. In addition to those technologies is wireless video surveillance in the Lynwood area. The sheriff's department received a recommendation from another vendor on the ASAP project to collaborate with Leverage Information Systems to implement the wireless video solution. The system is laid out to stream video to the dispatch center, and dispatchers can then monitor and inform patrols regarding incidents or crimes as they happen. The added plus of such a system is that dispatchers can provide deputies critical information prior to arrival on scene that can increase the deputies' safety.
www.foxbusiness.com/story/leverage-leads-wireless-video-surveillance-solution-los-angeles-county-sheriffs/

Police Agencies Worldwide Lock Down Computing Costs With NComputing Solution
iStockAnalyst, (06/09/2008)

Law Enforcement agencies are using a new virtual desktop tool to help reduce the expense of purchasing desktop computers that are rarely used by officers. Because officers spend the bulk of their shifts out on patrol, the purchase of a desktop computer that will ultimately be left unattended and unused has become an information technology expense that some agencies can no longer afford. NComputing has created a product that allows multiple officers to share one desktop computer. The tool was developed based on the idea that today's computers are very powerful, but not used to full capacity. With this tool, users with separate peripheral equipment (mouse and keyboard), can log onto one desktop computer and maximize the computer's capacity without severely affecting an agency's budget.
www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewarticle+articleid_2270785~title_Police-Agencies.html

Cool Technology Beats the Heat This Summer
PR Web, (06/09/2008)

A new product has been developed for use by public safety and K-9 units to help them deal with and beat the summer heat. The company's original product line was designed to keep wine cool, but sensing a need, Cooltech Marketing, Inc. developed a product line for body cooling. The products designed specifically for law enforcement include a safety-reflective vest and body armor inserts designed to maintain a 59-degree temperature, and a canine body cooling vest and cool mats that maintain 65 degrees. The units are designed to be re-cooled in a freezer for 30 minutes, but the user can use ice water if a freezer isn't available.
www.prweb.com/releases/staying_cool/body_cooling_products/prweb991324.htm

Local Police Share Secure Wireless Network in Wisconsin
Government Technology, (06/09/2008), Jessica Hughes

In Wisconsin three cities in particular-Fitchburg, Middleton, and Sun Prairies-have some obvious similarities with regard to population size, distance between each city, and location in relation to the State capital of Madison. The cities, however, have other similarities that aren't as obvious. They share an encrypted wireless network responsible for connecting the police departments of all three cities, a multitude of high-tech software, and the joint Multi-Jurisdictional Public Safety Information System (MPSIS) task force in charge of it all. The initial purpose for this task force was to overhaul the records management system. Since then MPSIS has expanded its role to help obtain other updated technology, and in so doing, has achieved a cost savings.
www.govtech.com/gt/articles/366276

Traffic Ticket System Takes High-Tech Turn
MontgomeryAdvertiser.com, (06/11/2008), Jill Nolin

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and the Montgomery Police Department are preparing for the implementation of 33 e-citation systems that will eliminate the traditional handwritten citations. The county is hoping to have the units installed in 27 cruisers, using State funding of $25,000 to pay for most of the cost. At present, the city has six cruisers equipped with e-citation units. Officers will be able to swipe a motorist's license, input into their laptop data relating to location and type of offense, and then that information will go directly to the Alabama Office of the Courts. Officers hope the system will reduce motorist complaints regarding handwriting and streamline the process of issuing a citation.
www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080611/NEWS/806110344&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Local Congressman Focuses on Improving Uses of DNA
Pasadenanow.com, (06/12/2008), Staff Writer

Representative Adam Schiff, who represents the area of Pasadena, California, introduced four amendments in Congress that will improve law enforcement's use of DNA tools for helping apprehend violent criminals and reduce the DNA backlog of samples waiting processing. Schiff's first amendment seeks to create an incentive program that would make States that collect DNA samples from suspects arrested for murder or sex crimes eligible for additional funding from the Federal Government. The second amendment establishes new standards for use of the Federal DNA indexes, so that uploading to the system by State and local forensic labs is a speedier and smoother process. Amendment three came about as a result of a report that indicated that investigators and prosecutors were not following up on crime scene DNA when matches were made. Schiff's third amendment calls for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, to look into how DNA database matches are checked ! and followed by prosecutors and report the findings. The report will be used to examine why matches are not followed up on and determine if additional crimes could have been prevented. The final amendment allows States that establish permanent funding for DNA analysis to receive matching funds from the U.S. Attorney General.
www.pasadenanow.com/_News/publish/article_2465.html

Nassau to Test Sensor That Detects Gunshots, Location
Newsday, (06/12/2008), William Murphy

A three-square mile of Uniondale and Roosevelt (New York) will become the test bed for Nassau police to try a gunshot detection system. The rationale for choosing this location is that the police have retrieved 128 guns identified as being used to commit crime. City officials plan to use forfeiture fund to pay for the ShotSpotter, Inc., system, which has be implemented in other cities throughout the United States. If the system is considered a successful test use of the product will be expanded with in the county.
www.newsday.com/news/local/crime/ny-poshot125723746jun12,0,7119348.story

Segway Officers Roll with the Beat
Juneauempire.com, (06/13/2008), Greg Skinner

Using Juneau's cruise ship head tax, Juneau police have been able to create the Paid Reserve Officer program. After being retired for 3 years, Juneau Police Officer Rayme Vinson returned to take the position of Reserve Officer. He is one of five officers participating in the Reserve Officer Program who handle issues related to crowds of tourists coming in on ships. The years of previous experience that these officers bring to the program benefits the community and helps the department reallocate regular patrol officers to handle normal police work. The unit has two Segways that are on loan from the Federal Government, which allow the reserve officers to patrol from an elevated standpoint. The used of Segways makes the officers more visible to tourists who may need assistance, and gives them better visibility of the surrounding area.
www.juneauempire.com/stories/061308/loc_290344483.shtml