Evidence software is used by law enforcement to manage and track evidence digitally. It creates a record for each item, linked to specific cases and searchable by keyword. It works with barcodes or RFID tags and creates a chain of custody record. The software is developed with input from law enforcement and evidence experts to meet standards.
Evidence software is software designed for electronic evidence management, which allows law enforcement personnel to record and track evidence via digital means. Many law enforcement agencies use evidence software and some prefer it over other evidence management solutions, such as creating paper records for each item under evidence. Software manufacturers produce a range of products for law enforcement use, with a variety of features.
Using the evidence software, law enforcement personnel can create a digital record for each piece of evidence collected. Records can be linked to numbers used to refer to specific cases, allowing agents to retrieve all evidence records for a given case. Officers can also search by keyword, looking for all evidence of a particular type. Other sorting methods, such as collection date, can also be used.
Such programs are usually designed to work with a barcode or a radio frequency identification (RFID) system. Evidence is tagged with individual barcodes or RFID tags to make it easy to find and identify. Using laptop computers, law enforcement agencies can input evidence into the field program, making evidence gathering much more efficient. Once placed in the archive, the log for each item can be updated to provide information on where it should be placed in the evidence room. This allows officers to easily search for evidence, determine its location and recover it.
In addition to serving as a giant catalog, trial software has another important function. It also has features that create a chain of custody record. Knowing who handled evidence and when is very important to evidence integrity. Chain of custody records will show if evidence was left in an unsecured area, handled by someone unauthorized, or otherwise compromised. Officers can sign evidence in and out of the program as they remove it from the evidence room for exams, tests, or court appearances. The software will create a permanent record, tracing the history of the evidence from the time of collection to final disposition.
The companies that develop this software usually work with law enforcement personnel and evidence experts. The goal is to design a system that effectively meets the day-to-day needs of law enforcement while meeting evidence management standards. Faulty evidence software can be more of a nuisance than an aid to law enforcement and could potentially jeopardize a court case if it fails to track evidence appropriately.
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