NCJ Number
90457
Date Published
Unknown
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This paper describes how various information files of forensic significance have been transcribed into a form suitable for storage and retrieval at the British Home Office Central Research Establishment (HOCRE).
Abstract
The main computer at HOCRE, which was installed in 1972, is a Hewlett-Packard 2100A. The original specification was 8K core, a paper tape reader, a magnetic tape drive, and a teletype. This has been enhanced almost yearly, and the equipment configuration now consists of 16K core, a magnetic tape drive, a cartridge disc drive, a teletype, a paper tape reader and punch, a line printer, a visual display unit, and an optical mark-card reader. There are two terminals. The main applications of the computer are in the areas of storage and retrieval of forensic science literature, data banks on evidence types, analytical and reference data, statistics and data processing, and general 'housekeeping' programs. Plans are well along to replace the HP 2100A with another computer in 1979. The new computer will be required to support online terminals in the forensic science laboratories for an interactive literature retrieval system, an interactive retrieval project for the collection of data from cases examined in forensic science laboratories, an interactive information retrieval project for the collection of analytical and reference data on various materials for identification purposes, the running of a selection of statistical and data processing activities, and a general purpose computing facility in support of research and development in forensic science. Graphic illustrations of the system are provided along with 13 references.