Clue
2 Investigative Software
Jonathan
Gahagan examines how forces are using Clue 2 investigative software.
When the Internal Investigations Unit (IIU) was set up by Gloucestershire
Constabulary in January 2001, the provision of a powerful database system
was a top priority.
The IIU team needed a self contained system that could provide a wide
range of Operations and Intelligence functionality, enabling them to
pro-actively investigate criminality and corruption within the Force.
The system had to be easy to learn, use and administer, so the team
could get up and running fast. It also had to be very flexible, so the
team could tailor it to their particular needs. With all these requirements
and with time of the essence, there was only one solution that fitted
the bill - Clue® Sentinel.
‘Traditionally you keep a hand written book,’ says DS Christopher.
‘But we couldn't have managed using a paper-based system. In particular,
the database makes it much easier to audit. One of the best things is
the report field. It is brilliant for keeping lists of chronological
events and policies. The Security function in relation to user login,
enables a full audit trail to be followed, so you know exactly who did
what and when. And the system is very good for decision making and policy
logging’.
Having got off to a flying start with Clue® Sentinel, the IIU at
Gloucestershire Constabulary is now looking forward to continued success.
Clue®2 will continue to play a central role in their Operations,
says DS Christopher:
‘With normal Operations, intelligence comes from the force intelligence
system. However, we need a separate database that works well, and the
Clue®2 system is excellent. We wouldn't be without it and have seen
nothing out there to touch it.’
On 8th February 2002, the Isle of Man Constabulary commenced a double
Murder investigation using Clue®2. The organisation did not have
the use of other applications such as HOLMES. The investigation proved
that Clue®2 could be used for major investigations and capable of
the production of accurate case papers for serious offences. Inspector
Sid Caine comments:
‘Clue®2 is the IT tool that the Isle of Man Constabulary has
used in relation to all of their more recent major enquiries. The functionality
of the system is such that it enables the user to process evidence,
information and associated documentation from initial receipt right
through to Court preparation, if required’.
‘During the course of a double murder enquiry we utilised the Clue®2
system to manage in excess of 1,300 Actions; 2,700 Exhibits; 1,400 Statements;
1,400 Enquiry Report Forms; and 90 Tape Transcripts. This was one of
the largest enquiries that Isle of Man Constabulary has undertaken and
clearly demonstrated the value of such a user friendly IT system.’
The enquiry culminated in one male being convicted for both murders
on 20th February 2004 with a subsequent appeal being dismissed in September
of the same year.
Clue®2 was originally developed over 18 years ago by BOM for what
was the South West Regional Crime Squad. The application was developed
to assist officers in every aspect of an investigation. The software
was the first of its kind in the Police market capable of free text
searching using a relational free-text database developed by BOM. Investigating
Officers quickly identified the benefits their organisations were receiving,
including allowing masses of data to be accessed and referenced efficiently.
Clue®2 quickly became the investigators' solution and was developed
to provide specialist applications for Operational Units such as Special
Branch, Professional Standards, Major Crime Teams, Specialist Operations,
Fraud Squads and Financial Investigation Units. The continued re-investment
of the support and maintenance payments, ensures that the application
is kept up to date with legislation and in-line with customer requirements.
Eighteen years on and facing the challenges of modern policing and criminal
investigations, Clue® Sentinel (a Clue®2 application) supports
all aspects of recording and managing both simple and complex investigations.
It allows the investigator to record all of the documents and information
associated with an investigation, no matter how many exhibits, statements
or other records are involved. Clue® Sentinel in combination with
Clue® Counsel provides a powerful investigative resource, which
offers significant benefits and efficiencies, including:
1 Provision of a single data entry point with enforced data standards,
reducing the error rate and ensuring that data is entered consistently.
2 Limiting the amount of data input required, by allowing the same data
to be used in different contexts.
3 Flexible searching facility, enabling the identification of significant
matches and connections across any number of exhibits, statements and
other information.
4 Simple and automatic production of legal documents and forms arising
from each case.
5 Easy handling and progressing of more complex cases.
6 Ability to import and export data to and from other applications,
such as i2 and Microsoft(r) Excel.
7 Sophisticated access control and encryption facilities, ensuring the
controlled disclosure of information to satisfy the most demanding customers.
8 Continual update of software to support national legislation and government
guidelines, such as RIPA, POCA 2000, CPIA, and NIM.
9 Production of ClueMap, ClueChart and Quick Reports using the Clue®
Enterprise client.
Keen to promote the application in other Criminal Justice organisations,
Clue®2 is currently undergoing a Pilot with Bristol Trading Standards.
Stephen Meale the Trading Standards Manager, comments on how he perceives
the use of the application in his organisation:
‘Bristol Trading Standards is pleased to be working in partnership
with Bristol Office Machines to pilot the application and adaptation
of Clue® Case Management Software to Trading Standards criminal
investigation and financial investigation work.’
‘Having already completed an evaluation exercise, we anticipate
benefits and efficiencies in a number of areas:
1 Easier handling and progressing of more complex cases, including where
there are many witnesses or large amounts of evidence.
2 Significant reduction in the amount of data inputting by allowing
the same data to be used in different contexts.
3 Very flexible searching facility to identify significant matches and
connections.
4 Improved intelligence handling and ability to work closely with new
Regional Intelligence Analysts.
5 Easy production of legal and procedural documents and forms arising
from each case.
6 Similar suite of facilities to manage and progress financial investigations
and confiscation proceedings.’
Clue®2 has a healthy customer base and is currently used by the
following Police Forces and external organisations:
Avon & Somerset, Cleveland, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon & Cornwall,
Dorset, Essex, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Humberside, Lancashire,
Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Metropolitan Police, Northern Constabulary,
Northumbria, South Wales, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Surrey, Thames
Valley, Warwickshire, West Mercia, West Yorkshire, Isle of Man Constabulary,
Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, BT and NTL.
The Clue®2 National User Group takes place in March providing users
with a chance to network, share ideas and keep up to date with new functionality.
Our Request for Change Process ensures that there is a continuous cycle
of development to keep the product moving forward. A recent example
of this is our commitment to developing a web browser version of Clue®2,
increasing functionality in the live operational environment.
For more information please visit the website at http://www.clue2.co.uk
or contact
Jonathan Gahagan
Business Development Executive
BOM
01275 890100