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Evidence Tracking and Case Management Application

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    Evidence Tracking and Case Management Application

    I am a digital forensic practitioner, and intend to develop an A5 app for case management and evidence tracking. The app will need to track both physical items (hard drives, CDs, DVDs, thumbdrives, computers, etc.) as well as actions performed against those items and documents and files associated with the case. It will incorporate barcode label generation and scanning, lots of pictures that I hope can be shot from within A5, etc. Although I'm way rusty on building database applications--I used to develop in A4 way back in the day--I'll handle the basics just fine.

    The app will need to be available in the lab, of course, but also in the field on laptops. Given the availability now of cellular Internet access, the field laptop in most places would be able to access the Internet. I'm now exploring the alternatives for either working from one database--accessible online--or some sort of synchronization methodology for the different modules. What are my alternatives in A5 regarding this? Has anyone here done something similar? Can an A5 online database be implemented securely? What considerations do I need to be aware of as I begin early-phase development. I want to be sure to structure the big elements properly NOW to save myself future grief.

    All thoughts appreciated!


    Jerry
    Jerry Hatchett

    CERTIFIED COMPUTER EXAMINER
    LICENSED PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR


    Digital Forensics & E-Discovery

    Red Forensic
    Houston, TX

    #2
    Re: Evidence Tracking and Case Management Application

    If it were me, I would just go directly to the WAS and bypass a desktop model. That way you will cut down on your development time. Of course, the WAS has a steep learning curve. It's completely different than the desktop. But you probably already knew that.
    Peter
    AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

    [email protected]
    https://www.alphabasesolutions.com


    Comment


      #3
      Re: Evidence Tracking and Case Management Application

      A5 has a great security feature built into it that crosses over to the WebApp. Only those with id & passord will be able to access it.
      Watch the videos on the alphasoftware.com site... in the Video Library.
      It helped me a lot.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Evidence Tracking and Case Management Application

        Originally posted by mschoi View Post
        A5 has a great security feature built into it that crosses over to the WebApp. Only those with id & passord will be able to access it.
        Yes, great security features. But to be secure, you must enable SSL encryption. Otherwise, Alpha sends clear text.
        Peter
        AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

        [email protected]
        https://www.alphabasesolutions.com


        Comment


          #5
          Re: Evidence Tracking and Case Management Application

          Jerry,

          I wrote an application for the NYPD for arrest processing. The department took all of the forms required for an arrest and put every field on one "omniform".

          As we both know, all forms required some of the same information, ie. Arresting Officer, Time, Date, Perp. These fields are on every form. By putting all info on one form data entry was easy for the police aides. Once all the info was entered the program then prepared all the forms required for the arrest. The application then uploaded the data to two distinct mainframe systems.

          If I remember correctly, some of the issues we had was I had to translate ASCII to EBCIDIC so the list of offenses sorted correctly. Another big issue which my app accomplished was that each piece of evidence was matched to every defendant. This took alot of coding because not all evidence was related to each defendant.

          The Manhattan District Attorney produced a video introducing the program to the police officers in the field. You can view the video at:

          http://411tech.org/transit.htm

          Then click on the TOPCAT icon. TOPCAT stood for Transit Omniform Program - Complaint Arrest Terminal.

          If you have any specific questions, just ask.
          ---------------------------------------------------
          Barry Kucher
          http://www.411tech.org

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Evidence Tracking and Case Management Application

            Thanks much for the responses. I'll check out the videos, but since I've never looked into the WAS at all, I'll ask now: Is WAS an entirely different development environment?

            Watching the NYPD video now. Thanks for sharing!


            Jerry
            Jerry Hatchett

            CERTIFIED COMPUTER EXAMINER
            LICENSED PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR


            Digital Forensics & E-Discovery

            Red Forensic
            Houston, TX

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Evidence Tracking and Case Management Application

              Originally posted by ChopOMatic View Post
              I'll ask now: Is WAS an entirely different development environment?
              Originally posted by Peter.Greulich View Post
              Of course, the WAS has a steep learning curve. It's completely different than the desktop.
              Peter
              AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

              [email protected]
              https://www.alphabasesolutions.com


              Comment


                #8
                Re: Evidence Tracking and Case Management Application

                Thanks again for the responses. I do now understand that WAS has a totally separate development environment, but have not yet had a chance to explore its feature-set as compared to the desktop environment. Gonna get to that soon.
                Jerry Hatchett

                CERTIFIED COMPUTER EXAMINER
                LICENSED PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR


                Digital Forensics & E-Discovery

                Red Forensic
                Houston, TX

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Evidence Tracking and Case Management Application

                  Saw the 411 video..... Great stuff!!!

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Evidence Tracking and Case Management Application

                    Barry,

                    That was a great video! Totally retro, but great! Reminds me of the Super-Fly movie and similar cheesy 70's stuff. But it's way cool!
                    Last edited by Peter.Greulich; 08-28-2008, 10:54 PM.
                    Peter
                    AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

                    [email protected]
                    https://www.alphabasesolutions.com


                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Evidence Tracking and Case Management Application

                      Hey Peter:

                      You've helped me out a bunch over the years.
                      I wanted to thank you for that.
                      When I go through the message board I always read your responses.

                      I'm curious though...(I hope this comes across the right way)
                      How is it you are so active on the Message Board helping others. I rarely see you posting any questions.
                      Do you have a lot of free time? Or its a hobby or something you really enjoy doing? Or are you paid to do it?
                      I don't get it....
                      Now that I've been A5--ing for a couple of years, I try to answer a few here and there where I know the answers. I feel that Karmicly I've been receiving way more than giving. But I see you there all the time.

                      Humor me with a short answer. I'm dead curious....

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Evidence Tracking and Case Management Application

                        Originally posted by mschoi View Post
                        Humor me with a short answer. I'm dead curious....
                        Mark, I sent you a private message.
                        Peter
                        AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

                        [email protected]
                        https://www.alphabasesolutions.com


                        Comment

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