New software to help police catch web paedophiles
NEW computer software set to be used by Notts police will boost efforts to catch internet paedophiles.
The Triage Investigator will allow specialist officers to get hold of logs from online chat rooms quicker – and get e-mail contact details within minutes to allow them to begin their inquiries.
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Harry Parsonage with the Triage Investigator. Picture: Mark Lee NOML20110207A-184_C
At the moment, it can take force's hi-tech crime unit six to eight months to analyse computers seized from suspected online groomers, because of the volume of information recovered daily by officers.
This can mean chat logs and other vital information is lost by the time PCs are examined.
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The Triage Investigator, made by American firm ADF Solutions, speed-reads computers for chat logs, e-mail addresses and messages, web browser searches, desktop files, matches for 332,000 known indecent images of children and other images with similarities to them.
Depending on the number and complexity of searches requested, the program produces a table of its findings within a few minutes to a few hours.
"This will enable officers to begin investigations immediately and allow us to identify specific computers of interest, while ruling out others. It also means we can get computers back more quickly to their owners," said Detective Inspector Ian Winton, of Notts police's sexual exploitation and investigation unit.
"It is important for victims that police are able to get into computers early to see messages sent by the offender. It enables us to form an opinion of the risk they present, so other potential victims can be safeguarded."
Retired Notts detective sergeant Harry Parsonage now works for ADF Solutions and has been highlighting Triage Investigator's value to specialist officers.
The force's child abuse and sex offender management units will also use the technology. The child abuse unit received 763 referrals between November 1, 2009, and October 31, 2010.
Mr Parsonage said: "This is giving the investigators the chance to tap into computers right from day one in a way that is forensically sound but gives them information to progress an investigation. Sex offender management officers will also be able to use it check computers of registered sex offenders on their visits."
Mr Parsonage said the software could also help fraud and homicide investigations.
He added: "In some fraud inquiries, you can get 30 computers at once and it's important to eliminate some if there's no evidence on them."
Notts is one of a dozen forces in England and Wales due to start using the software.
Comments
by Lesta, Lace Market
Thursday, February 10 2011, 8:54PM
“Now, this is a good piece of software to do a quick scan of a suspect device but...
"can take force's hi-tech crime unit six to eight months to analyse computers seized"
and
"This can mean chat logs and other vital information is lost by the time PCs are examined."
So, where's the data gone then ? If the computer and hard drive are seized and kept secure then how is this data "lost" ? Surely, it's in the secure hands of the police who are investigating the case ?”
by Norman, Nottingham
Thursday, February 10 2011, 3:23PM
“How would naming a product help a hacker? YOu've been watching too much TV drama. ;)”
by maryofdungloe, Nottingham
Thursday, February 10 2011, 10:00AM
“Good one NP and the police!!!
Tell everyone what the new piece of kit is called, then people would be able to intercept it, hackers, crims and peedos alike!!”
by Ted, Notts
Thursday, February 10 2011, 9:50AM
“I am reminded of the Man For All Seasons speech about cutting down the forest of laws to get at the Devil. No normal person can question the worthiness of prosecuting paedophiles but is this a device that could be used to abuse an individual¿s privacy? Such rapid improvements in technology give us little time to think about those who wield its power. Are they to be trusted?”