NCJ Number
99427
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1985) Pages: 207-223
Date Published
1985
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This article describes the sequential development, implementation, and functions of Great Britain's Home Office Large Major Enquiry System (HOLMES), a computer aid to criminal investigation.
Abstract
In 1980, the Home Office decided to completely replace current manual procedures in the incident room (the administrative center controlling a major investigation) with computer-based procedures. After 5 years, the system is largely operational. Its Autoindex component provides for rapid, automated retrieval of data formerly contained on manual index cards. The Major Incident Computer Application (MICA) is an upgrading of the Autoindex that uses more sophisticated hardware and can handle larger inquiries. It is compatible with the Autoindex now in use by 18 police forces. The Major Incident Room Index and Action Management (MIRIAM)system, operational since 1983, provides the most comprehensive computerized operations. The indexing function contains separate indexes corresponding to those maintained in a standard incident room. It allows links to be made between documents and records, between index records, and between documents. The action and document management component controls the listing of actions, the allocation of actions to officers, and the monitoring of completed actions. It also provides management information that aids in workload administration and facilitates monitoring of documentation. The MIRIAM typing service provides full word processing capabilities and enables all documents to be entered into the system where they are available for free text searching. While the final product of this work is now on the market, much work remains to be done, including training, as HOLMES is implemented in more forces and the Autoindex system is phased out.