Category Archives: investigation case management

San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force Deploys Case Closed Software™ For Investigation Management

The San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force (HTTF) has announced the deployment of specialized investigation software from Case Closed Software™. The task force, led by Commander Geanie Franco, conducted an exhaustive search for an investigative case management system and chose Case Closed Software for its simplicity, flexibility, and overall value.

The software is expected to enhance the task force’s ability to investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases in the San Diego area.

“We are excited to deploy this new cloud-based software and believe it will be a valuable asset in our fight against human trafficking,” said Commander Franco.

Case Closed Software is a leading provider of investigative case management software for law enforcement agencies. The company’s software is designed to help investigators manage cases more efficiently and effectively, with features such as case tracking, evidence management, and reporting.

Douglas Wood, CEO of Case Closed Software, expressed his pride in adding the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force (HTTF) to the company’s growing list of clients. “My company focuses on specialized investigation units,” said Mr. Wood, “and we are thrilled to have been chosen by the HTTF for our investigative case management software.”

The San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force is a cooperative effort involving the following agencies:

  • California Department of Justice/Attorney
  • General’s Office (DOJ/AGO)
  • California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
  • California Highway Patrol (CHP)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
  • National City Police Department (NCPD)
  • San Diego City Attorney’s Office (SDCAO)
  • San Diego District Attorney’s Office (SDCDAO)
  • San Diego County Probation Department (SDCPD)
  • San Diego Sheriff’s Department (SDSD)
  • San Diego Police Department (SDPD)
  • United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California (USAO)
  • A dozen other agencies including local police, sheriff’s offices, IRS, CIS, and Border Patrol.

For more information about Case Closed Software and its investigative case management software, please visit the company’s website.

Georgia ICAC Task Force Deploys Case Closed Software for Statewide Triage of CyberTips and Investigation Case Management

Atlanta, Georgia – (January 2, 2024) The Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, housed within the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), has announced the deployment of Case Closed Software™ to enhance its efforts in combating online child predators. The investigation software will play a pivotal role in streamlining the handling of CyberTips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), enabling law enforcement professionals to prioritize and investigate cases with greater precision and effectiveness.

The law enforcement software‘s powerful features provide invaluable support in the fight against child exploitation, ultimately making the community safer for everyone. Key features of the Case Closed Software include:

1. CyberTip Triage: The software allows for the efficient categorization of CyberTips received from NCMEC, ensuring that each tip is promptly reviewed and acted upon.

2. Case Management: It facilitates the seamless organization and tracking of investigations, digital evidence, physical evidence, supplemental reports, and entity management, making it easier for law enforcement agencies to manage their ICAC caseloads.

3. Data Analysis: The software offers advanced analytical tools, which can help identify patterns and connections among cases, aiding in the identification and capture of perpetrators.

4. User-Friendly Interface: Designed with the end user in mind, the software offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, ensuring that law enforcement personnel can maximize its capabilities without extensive training.

The Georgia ICAC Task Force, under the leadership of GBI Director Chris Hosey, is committed to protecting children from online predators. The adoption of Case Closed Software’s innovative solution will enable the task force to better triage CyberTips from NCMEC, determine any connections across disparate CyberTips, and assign the cases to appropriate investigators and affiliates for investigative management purposes.

For more information about Case Closed Software, please visit https://www.caseclosedsoftware.com/icac

 

Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Enhances Fight Against Child Predators with Case Closed Software

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Frederick County, MD] — [October 19, 2023] — The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force , housed within Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, announced today that it has deployed specialized investigation technology from Case Closed Software™ to bolster their efforts in combating online child predators. The groundbreaking software will play a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of investigations into child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), sextortion, and other heinous crimes.

In a relentless pursuit of justice, law enforcement agencies worldwide are facing a mounting challenge in dealing with the increasing prevalence of crimes against children, particularly in the digital realm. To address this critical issue head-on, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the adoption of Case Closed Software’s innovative solution.

The software is specifically designed to streamline the handling of CyberTips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), enabling law enforcement professionals to prioritize and investigate cases with greater precision and effectiveness. The software’s powerful features provide invaluable support in the fight against child exploitation, ultimately making the community safer for everyone.

Key features of the Case Closed Software include:

1. CyberTip Triage: The software allows for the efficient categorization of CyberTips received from NCMEC, ensuring that each tip is promptly reviewed and acted upon.

2. Investigation Case Management: It facilitates the seamless organization and tracking of investigations, making it easier for law enforcement agencies to manage their caseloads.

3. Data Analysis: The software offers advanced analytical tools, which can help identify patterns and connections among cases, aiding in the identification and capture of perpetrators.

4. User-Friendly Interface: Designed with the end user in mind, the software offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, ensuring that law enforcement personnel can maximize its capabilities without extensive training.

Case Closed Software’s Douglas Wood speaks last month to ICAC Commanders about the use of technology in the fight against CSAM.

 

Case Closed Software’s CEO, Douglas Wood, commented, “We are honored to support the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office in their mission to combat child exploitation. Our software empowers law enforcement to efficiently investigate cases involving child predators, ensuring that justice is served and children are kept safe from harm.”

The adoption of Case Closed Software’s specialized investigation software by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office exemplifies their commitment to employing cutting-edge technology to protect the community from the grave threat of child predators.

For more information about Case Closed Software™ and their advanced investigative solutions, please visit www.caseclosedsoftware.com/icac

About Case Closed Software:
Case Closed Software is a leading provider of investigative case management and advanced analytics software for law enforcement agencies. The company is dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that help law enforcement professionals solve crimes, protect communities, and ensure justice is served.

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Case Closed Software Announces TX-RAMP Certification

March 23, 2023 (Austin, TX)  We are proud to announce that Case Closed Software™ has achieved TX-RAMP Certification, a prestigious recognition that demonstrates our commitment to providing secure and reliable software solutions for our clients.

The Texas Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program (TX-RAMP) certification is awarded to companies that have met strict security standards and have implemented robust risk assessment and mitigation processes. This certification recognizes our dedication to providing our clients with the highest level of security and reliability in our software solutions.

At Case Closed Software, we deliver unparalleled case management software for law enforcement and we understand the importance of protecting sensitive data and confidential information. That’s why we have invested heavily in developing a secure software platform that meets the rigorous security standards required by TX-RAMP certification.

We believe that this certification is a testament to our commitment to providing our clients with the best possible software solutions while maintaining the highest level of security and reliability. We are proud to have achieved this certification and look forward to continuing to provide our clients with the best possible service.

Waco Police Department Selects Case Closed Software for Gang and Narcotics Investigations.

Waco, Texas – The City of Waco Police Department has selected specialized criminal investigation software from Case Closed Software™ to manage investigations into gangs and narcotics crimes. The new gang investigation software will provide officers with the tools they need to effectively investigate and track criminal activity in these areas, allowing them to more efficiently gather and analyze data to build strong cases.

“Gang and narcotics crimes are two of the most serious challenges facing law enforcement agencies in Waco and across the country”, said Case Closed Software’s CEO Douglas Wood. “These crimes often involve complex networks of individuals and can be difficult to investigate and prosecute. The new system, which includes confidential informant management software  will help better identify and track criminal activity, and build stronger cases against those who would do harm.”

According to recent data from the Waco Police Department, narcotics-related offenses have been on the rise in recent years, with a particular increase in the abuse of opioids and other prescription drugs. The department has also reported a rise in gang activity, with several local gangs being linked to drug trafficking and other serious crimes.

Case Closed Software is a leading provider of CJIS-compliant, cloud-based criminal investigation software and has been deployed by law enforcement agencies across the country. The software is designed specifically to help investigators manage complex cases involving gangs and narcotics, providing tools for gang analysis, investigation management, and organizational reporting.

The new software is expected to be implemented in the coming weeks, and officers will receive training on how to use it effectively. The City of Waco Police Department remains committed to providing the highest level of service to the community and will continue to explore new technologies and tools to support its mission.

Case Closed Software has also recently announced that its software was being deployed for Baldwin County (GA) Sheriff’s Office.

For more information on Case Closed Software, please visit their website at www.caseclosedsoftware.com.

Using Case Management Software in Anti-Human Trafficking Investigations

In a previous article, we overviewed some Best Practices for Anti and Counter-Human Trafficking NGOs. What follows is an update specific to how purpose-built software can aid in the investigations and rescues.

Human trafficking is a global problem that affects millions of people each year. According to the International Labour Organization, there are an estimated 25 million victims of forced labor and human trafficking worldwide. Anti-human trafficking investigators play a vital role in identifying, investigating, and prosecuting traffickers, but they face numerous challenges in their work. In this blog, we will discuss some of the problems facing anti-human trafficking investigators and how investigation case management software from Case Closed Software™ helps.

  1. Limited Resources

Anti-human trafficking investigators often work with limited resources, including staff, funding, and technology. They may not have access to the latest tools and resources needed to investigate and prosecute traffickers effectively. This can result in a lack of coordination and communication between agencies and delays in identifying and rescuing victims.

Investigation case management software from Case Closed Software helps by providing investigators with a comprehensive platform for managing cases, evidence, and information. The software includes a range of features, such as case tracking, document management, and collaboration tools, that allow investigators to work more efficiently and effectively. With the software, investigators can quickly and easily share information and coordinate with other agencies, resulting in more effective investigations and prosecutions.

  1. Difficulty Gathering and Managing Information

Anti-human trafficking investigators must collect and manage a vast amount of information during their investigations. This can include data on traffickers, victims, and locations, as well as evidence, witness statements, and legal documentation. Managing this information can be challenging, especially when working with multiple agencies and sources.

Investigation case management software from Case Closed Software helps by providing investigators with a centralized platform for managing all case information. The software allows investigators to store and organize information in a structured and secure manner, making it easy to access and share with other agencies. The software also includes powerful search and reporting features, enabling investigators to quickly find and analyze information critical to their investigations.

  1. Data Security and Privacy

Human trafficking investigations often involve sensitive and confidential information that must be protected from unauthorized access or disclosure. Investigators must comply with strict data privacy and security regulations and ensure that information is only shared on a need-to-know basis.

Investigation case management software from Case Closed Software is designed with security and privacy in mind. The software includes robust security features, such as encryption, user access controls, and audit trails, ensuring that data is protected from unauthorized access or disclosure. The software also allows investigators to control access to information on a need-to-know basis, ensuring that sensitive information is only shared with authorized personnel.

  1. Lack of Standardization

Human trafficking investigations can involve multiple agencies, jurisdictions, and international partners. Each agency may have its own processes, procedures, and systems, making it difficult to coordinate investigations and share information effectively.

Investigation case management software from Case Closed Software provides investigators with a standardized platform for managing cases and information. The software allows investigators to establish standard processes and procedures, ensuring that investigations are conducted consistently across agencies and jurisdictions. This standardization makes it easier to share information and coordinate investigations, leading to more effective outcomes.

Conclusion

Human trafficking is a complex and challenging problem that requires a coordinated and comprehensive response from law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders. Anti-human trafficking investigators face numerous challenges in their work, including limited resources, difficulty gathering and managing information, data security and privacy, and lack of standardization.

Investigation case management software from Case Closed Software helps investigators overcome these challenges by providing a comprehensive platform for managing cases, evidence, and information. The software includes a range of features that enable investigators to work more efficiently and effectively, improving the quality and speed of investigations and leading to more successful prosecutions.

The Wilson Ruling: What it Means for ICAC Investigators

Case Closed Software™ recently worked on a project with the City of San Diego Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

 

San Diego ICAC

The project arose out of a need for a sophisticated tool to help the multi-jurisdictional ICAC unit effectively triage and investigate criminal activity involving child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). In particular, we needed to come up with an investigation tool that would work around evolving laws and The Wilson Ruling of 2021.

Note: CSAM has previously been referred to as ‘Child Pornography’, but has evolved into a more accurate depiction of the abuse committed upon unwilling victims.

At the root of Wilson Ruling, which we will discuss in depth below, is the 2008 Protect Our Children Act sponsored by then-Senator Joe Biden and signed by then-President George W. Bush. The law requires “electronic communication service providers to notify the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) when they discover apparent violations of laws prohibiting CSAM.

NCMEC then creates and distributes CyberTips to appropriate law enforcement agencies and specially-trained agents.

The Anatomy of a NCMEC CyberTip for ICAC Units

Without getting too granular, a CyberTip is made up of several sections. There’s a front page, and Sections A through D. The front page will contain the date it was received, its assigned report number, and an executive summary. The executive summary will say what type of incident the report refers to, such as “Apparent Child Pornography”, and the number of files that were uploaded.

The first section of a CyberTip, Section A, has information about the reporting agency – Google, Facebook, TikTok and so on. It will also include a brief incident description, the time of the incident, the webpage involved, and the email, username, and IP address of the person reported.

Spoiler Alert… Here’s a key to The Wilson Ruling: For each file, this section says whether the reporting ESP actually viewed the file and whether the file was publicly available. We’re going to come back to this shortly.

Section B is geolocation information for the offending IP address given in the report. This helps NCMEC know which ICAC Task Force should get the tip. The ISP who owns or controls the IP address will also be listed.

Section C is for any additional information and may reference other CyberTips that are associated with the same username or IP address.

Here’s another key point related to The Wilson Ruling. The images or videos associated with the CyberTip are provided to the appropriate agency along with a PDF report, but they are NOT shown in the body of the report.

Why the CyberTip Matters

The point of describing the CyberTip here is to reinforce just how much unstructured data exists on them and foreshadow some of the pain points that ICAC teams experience in getting these CyberTips triaged.

That’s a significant component of the partnership that Case Closed Software has developed with San Diego Police Department… how to manage, de-conflict, and triage the overwhelming volume of CyberTips that each ICAC task force or investigator receives.

The other significant component of what we’ve worked on together from a technology perspective is related to how courts have applied Fourth Amendment doctrines to CSAM investigations. The Fourth Amendment, of course, is an important piece of our Bill of Rights and is supposed to protect all of us from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.

The ICAC Investigation into Luke Noel Wilson

Let’s look at The Wilson Ruling of 2021. This came out of the court’s application of the Fourth Amendment in the case of defendant Luke Noel Wilson who, in June 2015, attached several images containing CSAM to an email on his Gmail account. Google’s screening system –  which scans uploaded images and checks for identical matches in a database of confirmed CSAM – immediately flagged Wilson’s attachments as “apparent child pornography”.

Without having an employee review the attachments first, Google’s system then sent an automated report to NCMEC that included the images. As is standard policy for ESPs, the report contained information about the date and time Wilson uploaded the images, along with his email address, login information, and the IP address of the device he used to upload the images.

NCMEC subsequently forwarded the report to local law enforcement – in this case, the fine team at San Diego ICAC – where an agent reviewed the NCMEC CyberTip and inspected each of the images, confirming that they were indeed CSAM.

Relying on Google’s report and his personal observations, the agent then applied for – and obtained – a search warrant for Wilson’s email account. The agent’s affidavit accompanying the search warrant request included descriptions of the images but didn’t specifically contain any mention of matching hash values, nor any description of Google’s screening process for CSAM.

When, with search warrant in hand, the agent searched Wilson’s email account, he discovered several email exchanges in which Wilson received and sent CSAM and additionally offered to pay a woman to molest and exploit children.

Law Enforcement then obtained a search warrant for Wilson’s residence and vehicle where they discovered devices containing thousands of images of CSAM including the original four attachments. Wilson’s alleged attempt at throwing a backpack over his balcony was noticed by assisting agents and was found to contain a thumb drive full of additional Child Sexual Abuse Materials.

It was later estimated that Wilson possessed 500 videos and 11,000 images of child sexual abuse, and – a few months later – he was arrested and charged with Distribution and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials.

Wilson was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison.

So, this seems at this point like a fairly standard ICAC case. What then happened that fundamentally changed the way ICAC units operated to triage and investigate CyberTips?

The Motion to Suppress

After his trial, Wilson filed a motion to suppress the four original attachments (the ones included in the original CyberTip) AND all evidence subsequently seized from his email account and residence, arguing that San Diego ICAC’s initial review of his attachments was a warrantless search in violation of the Fourth Amendment.

The District Court denied his motion, however, reasoning that the government does not perform a ‘search’ within the context of the Fourth Amendment when it inspects something that is ‘virtually certain’ to contain contraband.

Wilson subsequently appealed that decision to The Ninth Circuit which reversed the lower court’s decision, concluding that the agent’s viewing of the attachments violated Wilson’s 4th Amendment rights and rejecting the position that there was ‘virtual certainty’.

Basically, the Ninth Circuit said that Google’s initial report specified only the ‘general’ age of the child and the ‘general’ nature of the acts shown, and had not been viewed by any Google employee.
By viewing the four attachments without a search warrant, therefore, the higher court concluded that law enforcement unlawfully obtained new, critical information, and then used that new information to obtain warrants to search Wilson’s home and email account.

Of key importance in the ruling was the assessment that, even though Google employees viewed images identical to Wilson’s to create Google’s database of suspected CSAM, they had not viewed the actual image itself.

By contrast, after viewing the images, law enforcement could describe “the number of minors depicted, their identity, the number of adults depicted alongside the minors, the setting, and the actual sexual acts depicted.”  So, even though Google’s algorithm had flagged Wilson’s attachments to a mathematical certainty that his images were “bit-for-bit” duplicates of images identified by its employees as CSAM within their database, Wilson’s motion to suppress was granted.

The Fallout

The fallout for ICAC Task Forces has been tremendous because of this ruling. How are ICAC units and their respective affiliates, supposed to expeditiously review, triage, and investigate a massive and growing number of CyberTips while tip-toeing around an individual’s 4th Amendment rights?

Case Closed Software for ICAC

Last year, San Diego ICAC approached Case Closed Software™ with this exact set of problems and we began work on a tool designed to systematically process CyberTips – one that automates what is currently a time-consuming chain of events.

The Trouble with Triage

For most ICAC Units, individual CyberTips must be downloaded as zip files via NCMEC or IDS. Those zip files contain PDF files with unstructured text that lists:

• Reporting Agencies
• Usernames
• Email Addresses
• Telephone Numbers
• IP Addresses
• Hash Values
• Physical Addresses
• Sender IDs
• Recipient IDs
• Suspect Names
• Victim Names
• … and much more.

Triage administrators must:

  1. Download each CyberTip locally
  2. Unzip the file
  3. Begin a long process of putting those data elements together to create a connected view of those data elements to determine solvability
  4. And then assign to an investigator – internal or affiliate.

Oh, and then do the same for the next CyberTip… and the next one… and the next one after that.

Problem Solving for ICAC

Working with San Diego ICAC, we created a tool that allows administrators to save CyberTips directly a CJIS-Compliant ‘black box’ server instead of downloading them locally. That black box contains proprietary logic that systematically opens those zip files, pulls all of those data elements from the PDFs, grabs all of the attachments and underlying hash values, and links them into a single interface for the administrator. Important to note is that this process happens quickly and virtually eliminates the manual efforts in existence now.

CyberTips Triage and Case Management

 

We have essentially created a unique, user-friendly system where investigators cannot view attachments until they purposely elect to.
They can see usernames, IP Addresses, filenames, and an array of other information… but not the images. Images cannot be revealed until investigators have proper authority in compliance of the Wilson Ruling. It’s a simple but brilliant addition to the process that protects all parties.

Just to tie a bow around Mr. Wilson, he was eventually convicted of child molestation on the Stateside and sentenced to 25 years. He was subsequently charged and convicted of possession and distribution of CSAM on the federal side and received an additional ten years. He is where he should be, but his entire case was thrown into jeopardy when one agent viewed four files that one court felt violated his rights.

The Proposed Solution: Case Closed Software™

At its core, Case Closed Software is a multi-jurisdictional investigation case management system for complex criminal investigations.

The ICAC-specific functionality that was added to the system takes what was once a CyberTip and, using what we call our ‘One Page Case Management’ methodology, helps turn it into a conviction.

San Diego (ICAC) Task Force aids development of technology in the fight against child pornography and child sexual assault material

August 1, 2022 (San Diego, CA)  The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) is on the front lines of the fight against online crimes against children. Their ‘CyberTipline’ is the country’s centralized system for reporting the online exploitation of children.

According to NCMEC’s website, “Concerned individuals and organizations make reports of suspected online enticement of children for sexual acts, child sexual molestation, child sexual abuse material, child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, and unsolicited obscene materials sent to a child.

A full report of the CyberTipline can be found on the NCMEC website.

Working with Law Enforcement

In this important work, NCMEC works closely with The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program. That program was created to help law enforcement agencies enhance their ability to investigate offenders who use online communication systems to sexually exploit children.

In the United States, there are over 60 regional ICAC Task Force agencies representing almost 5,500 individual agencies.

San Diego’s ICAC task force simplifies the triage and investigation of CSAM and crimes against children incidents.

Sergeant Garrick Nugent is commander of the San Diego ICAC Task Force. His task force consists of roughly 33 different agencies that endeavor to work together to investigate cybercrimes against children in San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside Counties. According to Nugent, most investigations begin with NCMEC, which contacts San Diego ICAC when it believes there’s a local case. These tips, referred to as CyberTips, number in the thousands each year for San Diego ICAC alone. And that number has risen consistently over the past five years.

“I truthfully believe there are more cases,” said Nugent in a 2020 interview with a CBS affiliate in San Diego. “I wish I could say we are (keeping up with the volume). We have both children and predators that are at home. They have unprecedented access to the internet. They’ve got lots and lots of time on their hands and therefore I think we’re seeing the increase as a result.”

Dealing With Growing Volume

With each CyberTip comes a host of investigation intelligence including perpetrator usernames, unique IP addresses, suspect information, Internet Service Provider details, and much more. CyberTips also include disturbing multimedia evidence of child sexual assault materials (CSAM) that must be verified by the task force. Each CyberTip must be downloaded, opened, reviewed, verified, prioritized, and assigned to investigators who already maintain a full plate of cases to investigate. To say the problem is overwhelming is an understatement.

Case Closed Software™ and San Diego ICAC’s Investigation Software for ICAC Units

Since 2020, however, Nugent’s ICAC task force has worked in partnership with Texas-based Case Closed Software to develop innovative new systems designed to simplify and speed up the entire process of triaging and managing CyberTips.

The new system was implemented last year and now, according to Nugent, “greatly helps his ICAC task force to efficiently triage the NCMEC CyberTips and to control, direct, organize, review, and track our multi-agency investigations into child abuse and exploitation.”

Working Hand in Hand to Solve Problems

A quote from Nugent on Case Closed Software’s website states “This software is a must-have for ICAC units.”

Douglas Wood is the founder and CEO of Case Closed Software. According to Wood, his company has unique functionality to allow near-instant triage of CyberTips.

“As a result of our unique partnership with San Diego ICAC, users can simply save CyberTips to our CJIS-compliant cloud service, and moments later view all pertinent information for quick and effective triage”, says Wood. “They can then be assigned to any task force case agent who can use the ICAC investigation case management system to work more efficiently through investigations and prosecutions.”

The Crimes Against Children Conference

In a joint announcement, Case Closed Software and San Diego ICAC Task Force stated support for the upcoming 34th annual Crimes Against Children Conference (CACC) in Dallas, TX beginning August 8, 2022.

According to Case Closed Software, conference attendees will be able to see the ICAC task force software in action at the Exhibitor’s Hall. CCAC is presented annually by the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center and provides training to agencies in the fields of law enforcement, social work, child protective services, child advocacy, therapy, and medicine who work directly with child victims of crime.

What is Investigation Case Management Software?

Today’s complex criminal and serious investigations cannot be effectively managed with thumb drives, SharePoint, cloud folders, paper forms, and sticky notes. Times have changed and the introduction of investigation management and case management software for police is now an integral part of any specialized investigative agency.

What is Investigation Software?

Investigation case management software such as that from Case Closed Software™ is a purpose-built system that assists investigators triage investigative cases, track the involved entities, record supplemental reports and case actions, and generally help users close cases faster and more efficiently.

Investigation software (aka case management software) is specifically designed to help users collaborate and work efficiently with team members – whether they are across the aisle, or across the globe.

Investigation management software is more than fancy graphs and big data analytics. It’s also more than simple incident tracking. Many vendors will try to convince you otherwise because they lack true case management functionality.

True investigation case management software allows agencies of any type to triage new tips and leads, assign them to appropriate agents, track all related case entities such as people, places, and things (vehicles, evidence, organizations, IP Addresses, etc) in an easy-to-use and intuitive fashion.

Importantly, investigation software and incident management software allows agencies including law enforcement, anti-human trafficking groups, drug task forces, national police agencies, federal agencies, internet crimes against children (ICAC) task forces and more can quickly log and analyze all investigative case materials with built-in flexible workflow for approvals.

Top 20 Things to Look For When Procuring a Case Management System

When considering investigation case management software, agencies should look for the following must-haves:

  1. A proven and delighted install base.
  2. Tips and Leads management with the ability to promote them to a full investigation.
  3. Master databases (fully searchable) of all case entities
  4. Organizations and gang databases for organized crime
  5. Multi-Jurisdictional capabilities
  6. Real time multi-language functionality
  7. 28 CFR Part 23 compliant Criminal Intelligence
  8. Evidence management including full chain of custody
  9. Customizable workflow
  10. Case Visualization and Link Analysis
  11. Confidential Informants and whistleblower management
  12. Criminal charges and statutes functionality
  13. Operations planning
  14. Task and Assignments management
  15. Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) Compliance
  16. Photo lineup functionality
  17. Remote Case Review (For sharing with prosecutors or LE)
  18. Multimedia attachments
  19. Customizable case reports
  20. World-class support and system maintenance

In short, investigation management software helps you conduct more efficient and, effective investigations. Case Closed Software is the leader in the investigation case management industry.

U.S. based Case Closed Software™ is a recognized leader in the development of investigation case management software and is a true investigation software company.