The Challenge

Users rely on the timely provision of information and analysis of data to carry out their operational role.

There are a number of inherent issues to consider when searching data within existing systems. The main concern is that operational applications are designed to follow a particular process or business work flow, allowing records to be created and maintained using the appropriate logic. The data models supporting these types of application are simply not designed for rapid and flexible searching.

Often these problems do not present themselves when the system is first implemented but soon surface after the volume of data increases.

Bluestar has a number of real-life examples based on customer experiences where these (and similar) limitations have caused major problems. Examples include users being asked to suspend use of an application whilst the management information team extract data, or the organisation that gave up trying to identify recovered property because the search took hours to complete.

Design Considerations

Providing access to data using powerful search and analysis features has always been a core objective for the Corvus Information Appliance. In addition to being an innovative, secure and reliable platform, Corvus is also flexible and easy to use.

A unique Corvus feature is the ability to tailor or configure the graphical presentation to suit the individual customer, project or device requirements. All three approaches can be taken for the same installation using the same back-end application.

Typically, a number of specialised search modules are presented reflecting the range of data included within the main Corvus repository (or existing reporting structures). The use of a standard interface and common style ensures that skills learnt in one Corvus module can be easily transferred to another. This builds user confidence and minimises training requirements.

Corvus Indexer

In addition to specific search modules, the Corvus Indexer provides powerful full-text searches similar to Internet search engines. It allows all of the text within the Corvus repository (structured or otherwise) to be searched within a single inquiry,

Existing Modules

Standard Corvus modules already exist for a number of specific search types, including:

• Arrests
• Court Results
• Crimes
• Custody
• Incidents
• Intelligence
• Locations
• Officers
• Duty Roster
• Officer Events
• Penalty Notices
• Property
• Stop & Search
• Vehicles
• Warrants

Not forgetting our powerful Single Enterprise View (SEV) searches that focus upon People, Locations and Vehicles and allow searching for SEV items across many systems with a single search.

New screens and features can be rapidly produced using the Corvus data mapper and search generator. This allows the return on investment to be realised in a fraction of the time of traditional projects.

All Corvus modules share the same core features to provide a powerful and flexible search environment. Bluestar will even guarantee performance regardless of the nature of the searches undertaken.

Standard Functionality

The essence of any search request is the ability to specify criteria and retrieve results. Corvus provides a tailored interface that can allow the user to supply criteria and then rapidly produce a list of all matching data. By default, all searches are case insensitive.

Once the list of results has been retrieved the user may refine the search conditions, extract the results or display the full detail. Results may be ordered using any of the headings used for the results summary. Limits are set on the number of rows returned to minimise network traffic. This setting is implementation specific.

A user is able to save the search conditions entered using the save query facility.

Every search module offers the ability to extract results to a local file, or pass results automatically to another product, such as Microsoft Excel®.

Results can also be plotted on a map using the Corvus Map Viewer.

Defining the Search Criteria

Partial or Incomplete Values
Entering conditions to limit search results is not always a straightforward exercise. Sometimes only part of the data is known, such as a partial address, or particular phrase. Corvus supports the standard wild-card character (%) allowing matches to be found in a variety of situations. Corvus can also be configured to automatically add wild-card characters to certain fields. This can be a useful technique when users are unfamiliar with these features.

Field Assistants

To further simplify the creation of search criteria, Corvus provides a range of 'field assistants' linked to the search interface:

Calendar Controls
A number of subtly different controls may be configured offering the ability to easily select single dates, ranges of date and/or times along with a variety of 'virtual' or business dates. Regardless of the style chosen, the user is able to make quick selections using simple mouse clicks.

List Boxes
Another configurable feature is the ability to display lists of values for the user to select from. The values themselves can be captured automatically from the underlying data. In addition, administrators can update list boxes to make new values available.

Tree Controls
Certain reference values may be part of a more complex structure involving the concept of a hierarchy. For example, modus operandi coding breaks down into a number of distinct types each of which is further subdivided. For these types of reference values, Corvus is able to utilise a tree control to simplify navigation and selection.

The true power of the Corvus search capabilities are best illustrated by discussing a real life requirement.

Search

Our typical user is researching recent crimes with a particular Modus Operandi (MO). In this example we are interested in burglaries committed by breaking a window.

The user is aware of a recent crime in the High Street. As a starting point these details are entered into the crime search.

Alternatively, our user could also have chosen to search directly for offenders linked to a particular MO.

Mapping

Once the matching results are returned, the user selects the option to present on a map the number of similar crimes within the locality for the last three months.

The map allows users to view the underlying details for matching records. In this case we have found a detected crime nearby. This appears to have been the result of an arrest and subsequent court proceedings.

Link to Officer Events Search

For this particular reference we can proceed to access information for officers involved in the case and subsequently view the details for the relevant arresting officer.

Conclusion

Enquiries might lead to this particular crime being associated with the similar record found.

Users may utilise a number of more advanced features to refine their chosen search criteria or assist in identifying results.

Context Searching
This is a very powerful feature that automatically links sets of values as part of the search criteria. For example, the word GUN could be one entry from a larger list including FIREARM, PISTOL and RIFLE. Simply supplying '@gun' in the search conditions would automatically include the additional values, turning the criteria into "GUN or FIREARM or PISTOL or RIFLE".

Context values are maintained by local administrators who may update the content list centrally to reflect new terminology and local phrases. Customers can also use context searching to maintain lists of offenders and other individuals that are of particular interest.

Search Mode
The default search mode is to assume that criteria entered in different fields will be used in combination as part of the search. For example, a supplied 'date' and 'crime category' would both be applied to the search using a logical AND. However, the search mode may be switched to perform a logical OR and turn the search to find a match on either 'date' OR 'crime category'.

Mapping

Search results including geographic coordinates may be plotted on a map for ease of use and visual clarity. This can simplify the process of identifying trends or particular locations of interest.

Two basic modes of operation are available. Firstly, the presentation of all matching results on a map display. Secondly, events in a similar area may be plotted using the concept known as a proximity map.

In all cases maps may be generated for a particular period using a variety of scales. The Map Viewer uses compass and zoom controls to assist navigation.

Report Viewer

There may be occasions when a more complex set of conditions and parameters for related data types are required. In these situations, custom reports can be registered with the Corvus Report Viewer. This also links to data extraction mechanisms and other modules as appropriate to retrieve more detailed information.

Any number of parameters can be assigned to custom reports. These may be completed using the standard Field Assistants, such as the calendar controls or list boxes.