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Forensic Advantage® is an innovative, easy-to-use solution that
optimizes how laboratories are managed and operated.
Online data sources provide forensic examiners and law
enforcement agencies with immediate access to data, improving
their productivity and ability to communicate and take decisive
action. In addition, full integration with the Microsoft
Office System gives examiners familiar tools to streamline and
automate business processes. The amount of paper associated with
collecting and analyzing evidence is reduced, driving down
costs.
Forensic Advantage®
is a COTS product that was designed and
developed to address the unique case and evidence management
requirements of local, state and federal forensic laboratories, law enforcement agencies,
medical examiners and digital forensic labs. In order to maximize the
value, flexibility and scalability of the solution, Forensic
Advantage™
was designed as a “COTS product built with COTS
components”.
Developed using open-standards and
non-proprietary technologies,
Forensic Advantage®
benefits from a modular architecture that
leverages the underlying capabilities of each COTS component.
The ‘glue’ that ties various COTS products together is
Microsoft’s Visual Studio .NET. Using industry-standard
design and development techniques, Forensic Advantage™
Systems built a modular, object-oriented
application suite that can be configured to address variable
business processes and data tracking requirements. In
fact, most customizations requested by customer entities are
addressed by changing underlying templates and/or business rules
as opposed to application code.
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A core COTS component of the
Forensic Advantage®
application is Microsoft Office System 2003.
Leveraging a business productivity suite such as Office
provides a level of process automation that is not only
user-friendly but grows with future iterations of the
Office suite as well.
The data warehousing component of
Forensic Advantage®
leverages Microsoft SQL Server for departmental
and enterprise data collection. In addition to providing a
foundation for secure and auditable data transactions, SQL
Server provides an economical and scalable platform for desktop,
workgroup, departmental, agency and enterprise-wide data
management and reporting.
Microsoft SQL Reporting Services
provides a flexible reporting tool that can be used to report
across various levels of data in a timely and efficient manner.
SQL Server’s adherence to, and support of, industry standards
also promotes bilateral communication with disparate systems,
facilitating the efficient migration of data from legacy
applications.
The major functional areas and modules of the
Forensic Advantage® platform are listed below: |
| Forensic Advantage®
User Interface |
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» Administration
The
Administration module provides numerous tools to
facilitate timely and effective system maintenance
and administration. Role-based security, management
reporting, database auditing and exception processes
are all handled within this module. |
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» FA Gateway
Automates the process of capturing data from
existing property management systems, with full
manipulation capabilities, and subsequent entry into
the Forensic Advantage platform. |
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» AuthXAccess
AuthXAccess was architected to
make identity management deployment easy. The
solution delivers secure extranet access by
equipping customers with the ability to manage
credentials for their own users. The module provides
a centralized system for secure account management
and eliminates the need for custom software for each
external customer connection. |
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» PreLog Web
PreLog Web can be configured to speed the
submission of evidence and distribution of reports
via the Internet. Representatives may
leverage the Internet to enter evidence submission
forms before arriving. Agencies may view the
status of their requests and download reports when
available. |
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BrAD
Breath Alcohol Module
The Breath Alcohol Database
(BrAD)
tracks and stores Intoxilyzer®
records that measure drivers’ breath alcohol levels.
This module, which is seamlessly integrated with the
Forensic Advantage LIMS platform helps forensic and
law enforcement agencies track the maintenance
histories of their Intoxilyzer®
devices, including
most recent certification dates and when instrument
operators need to be re-certified.
BrAD also handles
subpoena duces
tecum
requests for Intoxilyzer®
certifications and
calibration histories, rendering responses in Adobe
PDF format and automatically e-mailing, faxing or
mailing them to attorneys.
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Firearms Module
The Firearms
module can be configured to inventory, track and
manage a comprehensive firearms reference
collection.
» Instrument Integration
Integration with instrumentation is performed using an
intelligent “folder watcher” that enables Forensic Advantage
to collect data files and reports shortly after they are
produced. Once captured, these files and reports are
managed as part of the case folder. |
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» Case
Processing
Case Processing provides tools for managing
caseloads at varying levels. Supervisors have the
ability to assign/review caseloads while examiners
are provided with tools that automate the collection
of exam results and the production of case-related
documentation. Configurable backlog reports
facilitate informed decisions regarding staffing and
budget considerations. |
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Object Repository
Object Repository is a module that can be included
within a Forensic Advantage LIMS platform deployment
and/or as a standalone application. The product
enables complete management of all digital content.
This enterprise solution is designed to manage and
protect the value of critical electronic data
throughout its entire lifecycle. The module manages
the secure storage and transfer of digital records,
such as crime scene photos, images and reports. |
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» Discovery Module
The
Discovery module can be configured to produce an
electronic file that represents the entirety of a
completed case. The resulting file contains a
representation of specified case entities and may be
archived and/or distributed outside the agency for
collaborative use enterprise wide. |
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» Quality
Advantage Portal
Quality Advantage is an “intelligent
portal” that connects users, teams, and knowledge so
that every staff member can take advantage of
relevant information across departments in order to
work more efficiently. The web based portal
integrates information from various systems into one
application through single sign-on and enterprise
integration, with flexible deployment options and
management tools. |
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» DNA Databank
The Databank provides a means for accurately
capturing and tracking demographic information
during the DNA analysis and matching process.
Forensic Advantage Systems’ Databank facilitates
anonymous matching of samples against local, state
and federal sample database, protecting individual
privacy while ensuring the integrity of the overall
process. |
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» Resource Manager
The Resource Manager may be configured
to manage the location, status and disposition of
items such as lab instruments, firearms, reference
materials, safety equipment, chemical reagents and
exam kits. In addition, it may be configured to
ensure that lab instrumentation and chemical
reagents meet or exceed the laboratory’s current
Standard Operating Procedures. |
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» Evidence
The Evidence module tracks property from collection
through disposition. Leveraging barcodes and
password protected access, the system ensures a true
chain-of-custody by requiring legitimate two-sided
transfers. Hierarchical evidence is supported,
including derivative items, sub-items, containers,
batches and lockbox transfers. |
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» Testimony
The Testimony component tracks subpoenas for
expert testimony, leveraging Outlook to ensure that
requested appearances are added to an examiners’
schedule. Following the appearance, time,
travel and expense information is collected to
facilitate detailed reporting of any/all court
appearances. |
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