NCJ Number
53041
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 47 Issue: 12 Dated: (DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 7-11
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE TOTAL RECALL ADULT CRIMINAL ELEMENT RECORDS (TRACER) SYSTEM, FIRST DEVELOPED BY THE NORFOLK, VA., POLICE DEPARTMENT IN 1970, IS DESIGNED TO TRACK AN INDIVIDUAL THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS.
Abstract
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS IN THE DESIGN OF TRACER IS ITS CAPABILITY TO INTERFACE WITH WARRANT FILES IN THE TIDEWATER ELECTRONIC NETWORK OF POLICE INFORMATION (TENPIN). THE TENPIN SYSTEM ALLOWS PARTICIPATING POLICE AGENCIES ACCESS TO OUTSTANDING WARRANTS IN THE REGION. IN ADDITION TO THIS CAPABILITY, THE TENPIN SYSTEM INTERFACES WITH THE VIRGINIA CRIMINAL INFORMATION NETWORK AND PERMITS USERS ACCESS TO WARRANT INFORMATION ON A STATEWIDE LEVEL. THE VIRGINIA CRIMINAL INFORMATION NETWORK IS TIED INTO THE NATIONAL CRIME INFORMATION CENTER IN WASHINGTON, D.C. BY HAVING ACCESS TO REGIONAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL WARRANT FILES, THE TRACER SYSTEM HAS ASSISTED TIDEWATER COMMUNITIES IN SERVING 4,000 MORE WARRANTS ANNUALLY THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS. THE SYSTEM HAS DONE MUCH TO OVERCOME GEOGRAPHIC LIMITATIONS ON CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS. IT IS ABLE TO TRACK AN INDIVIDUAL FROM THE POINT OF ARREST TO THE POINT OF EXIT FROM THE SYSTEM AND TO LINK CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES. OTHER ADVANTAGES OF THE SYSTEM ARE THE REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF HOURS SPENT TO MAINTAIN RECORDS BY HAND AND THE AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF REPORTS. FOR POLICE DEPARTMENTS, DISTRICT COURTS, SHERIFF'S OFFICES, AND JAILS, TRACER IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING ARREST SUMMARIES, JAIL POPULATION REPORTS, JAIL POPULATION SUMMARIES, JAIL LOGS, JAIL CALL SHEETS, JAIL SENTENCE REPORTS, DISTRICT COURT DOCKETS, MISDEMEANOR SUMMONS DOCKETS, TRAFFIC SUMMONS DOCKETS, CONTINUANCE DOCKETS, DISTRICT COURT DISPOSITION REPORTS, DISTRICT COURT MONTHLY STATISTICS, COURT ATTORNEY CASE LISTS, GRAND JURY LISTS OF PRISONERS, AND CONTINUED JUDGMENT DOCKETS. AS A DATA-BASED SYSTEM, THE SUCCESS OF TRACER IS CONTINGENT UPON THE CORRECT ENTRY OF INFORMATION. VARIOUS FUNCTIONS OF THE OPERATIONAL TRACER SYSTEM ARE DETAILED. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)