Relational Data Base

A relational database is a collection of organized data that is usually saved on a server. The information that is needed is entered into tables produced by the program or application then the input data is stored in a centralized location. The Graphical User Interface or GUI organizes the information into tables that make it easy to read and input.   In the case of using a relational data base the GUI format allows point and click procedures that are located in common menu selection such as race, hair color, eye color, driver license state and so on. This type of database makes entering information easier than regular mainframe databases because of the ease of the interface.  The user s ability to click on tabs that bring down menus make entering data a systematic process and cuts down on possible mistakes.

The basic police headquarters computer stores such information on the network as, complete records, photographs, names, side and front mug shoot views, social security numbers, height , weight, ethnic back ground, eye color, date of arrest, date of birth and address. The information located on the local police server, state, FBI and CIA all provide a brief description of the crime they committed with details such as charges, court date, and complete description of the crime with previous criminal history including convictions. Updated products programmed to query, find, and display large amounts of information in a report format exceedingly advance these police databases. 

The scalability of the police reporting/tracking systems is very large. Some of the benefits of having a computerize reporting /tracking system are the capabilities of being portable using a laptop for patrol cars, remote access from places other than the office, and serviceability you can update records at any time. The modules located on most police reporting/tracking systems include arrest & booking, biographical information, arrest information, supplemental information, inmate medical screening, inmate property, inmate visiting tracking, inmate cash accounting, automated line ups, criminal warrants, photographs of subject, automated checks A&B for outstanding warrants, and automatic print outs.

References:

Foster, Raymond E.(2005) Prentice Hall. Pearson Education, Inc, Police Technology

National Crime Justice Reference Service source :www.NCJRS.gov

Tracking Criminal Activity

Analysis of crime is a part of criminology that gives the Police Officers dependable data. Being capable of reading and understanding charts and graphs for a specific area is a task that takes a full time staff to accomplish. Summaries of criminal activity displayed in any geographical area can project helpful information for the Police Department and Government Officials. 

Some of the tasks Crime Analysis over see deal with the identification of the criminal activity for a specific geographical area such as the New York City. If criminal activity is up in New York City the information leads an analysis to query data about, what types of crimes are committed? Once the crimes are documented then one can move to specifics such as a vast info cell of gender, race, age, and other vital information that is connected to the criminal activity in the area. 

Separating the criminal information source by zone allows the Police to patrol a specific area for criminal activity that is common to the location. If there is a high level of drug solicitors in an area of Watts and Manhattan has a large number of users then one could assume to have Police Patrols between Watts and Manhattan to intercept the transport of drug trafficking between the two geographical areas, thus cutting the suppliers off. Having sources of information available to support your crime fighting theories can help in many situations. Some include vehicle theft, serial rapist, child abduction, and robberies.

Other geographical information such as economics of the area and social service information may come in handy. Analysis tools are capable of many different reporting analyses of crimes in specific areas. The new crime analysis software evaluates areas by producing charts, graphs and maps of  locations within your Police Departments geographical placement. Having the capability to create spread sheets and reports of areas with high and low levels of crime help explain the difference between areas allowing analysis to evaluate the problem areas identifying why criminal activity exists in them. Having the capability to make comparisons that are accurate allows the Crime Analysis to identify why the areas have high crime rates and why other areas have low levels of crime rates. Also being able to view the area on a map that shows the general layout such as housing, gas stations, shopping centers and other public facilities while tracking the Police Officer routes by (GPS) Global Positioning Systems gives a good idea of what criminal activity is happening and where.

The functionality of the system you are currently using is vital to the work Analysis. Ease of use makes the system and Police Department more efficient. Being well trained on the systems, knowing how the system works, and the type of data you can collect from the analysis system allows for quality reporting.

 Methodological long-term problem solving for policing can help reduce crime and identify problems in the areas that the crime rate is high.

The Analysis has to be well trained for any situation that may occur. They need to be able to identify and update the Police Force for what is currently going on in their sector. Some of the resources and analysis tools are difficult to use when matching data with reports and spreadsheets. Assessing the benefits of the change in response time when an analysis is on the job making sure that Police are patrolling the correct areas make the efficiency rate of the Police Department go up. Flexibility and creativity are a plus when dealing with analysis systems allowing the department head to make changes to the type of statistical  data  that is collected for processing these changes are necessary to produce the correct data reports. Sophisticated software is usually hard to use training on complicated items may help produce quicker reaction to solving problems. Being able to match maps with crime situations helps the analysis find issues and problems. Having a structured data, output that is legible and easy to read will boost the efficiency of the analysis.