NCJ Number
208746
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 32 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2005 Pages: 76,78,80,81
Editor(s)
Ronnie Garrett
Date Published
January 2005
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes Language Analysis Systems (LAS) as an innovative software program to assist law enforcement in analyzing and searching personal names.
Abstract
Personal names are one of the most difficult database problems facing law enforcement officials. Language Analysis Systems (LAS) is discussed as an effective means in improving local law enforcement’s ability to deal with matching names in an ethically diverse environment. LAS is a software tool providing multicultural name recognition. The software program can show legitimate variations of an unfamiliar name given to an officer. However, the technology has just become available to those outside the Federal Government. Today, LAS’s training and decision-support software are possible alternatives available to first responders. The New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN) was a recent beneficiary of a LAS partnership. LAS provided NESPIN with name recognition training, software, and certification on some multicultural name problems. As databases become more international in scope, the personal and legal risks of not enhancing and protecting the quality of personal name data will only grow. Therefore, it is important for law enforcement officials to know how to enter names into a computer system effectively and know how to access the correct name in the database.