Identifying suspects is a critical part of criminal investigations. Positive identifications must stand-up to scrutiny in court. But without a robust system to support them, ID circulations default to flawed communication mediums like email. Email is not PACE compliant, because the system itself publishes images onto local device storage, with no easy way to control the data once published. The circulation is no longer ‘contained’.
Digital Images Database (DID) is Bluestar’s solution for identification circulations. DID provides a quick, easy, controlled way to circulate ID requests, keeping the request images contained within the system. DID is fully PACE compliant, transparent, auditable and provides all relevant metrics.
Requests can be targeted to a subset of individuals. If a positive ID is made, DID generates a formal MG11 statement for the Identifier based on a few simple questions, then attaches the MG11 to the RMS record (e.g. the Niche occurrence). The OIC is then alerted. If a suggestion is made, DID creates an Intel ID for investigation and alerts the OIC. The Visual Evidence Unit is kept up-to-date.
DID improves the rate of positive IDs, and replaces non-PACE mechanisms so that identifications will stand up to scrutiny in court.
Key Features and Benefits
- Increased positive identifications – Our reference Force cited a significant increase in the number of positive identifications
- Statement generation – MG11 conformance with minimal witness effort
- Automatic RMS write-back – MG11 statements are attached to the RMS record (e.g. Niche Occurrence)
- OIC alerts – Rapid attention for positive IDs, helping to expedite investigations
- Compliant – Fully PACE-compliant and audited; stands up to scrutiny in court.
- Resource saving – Reduces the need for identifications in person