The feature articles of this issue of TechBeat present a policing model for reducing traffic crashes and crime; a team approach in developing law enforcement robotics, a means of securing law enforcement agencies' data storage; results of a survey on how to improve AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) information; a technology for restoring erased firearms serial numbers; and the promotion of consistency in body armor production.
"Policing Model Seeks to Reduce Traffic Crashes and Crime" explains how "Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety (DDACTS)" uses analysis of location-based crime and traffic data to establish effective methods for deploying law enforcement resources. "Teaming Up for Law Enforcement Robotics" describes how an Oregon sheriff's office has taken a unique team approach to maintaining and deploying robots, extending their use to support routine patrol searches and K-9 units. " Law Enforcement Agencies Can Follow the 'LEEDIR' to Secure Data Storage" profiles the Large Emergency Event Digital Information Repository (LEEDIR), an app the helps law enforcement agencies collect evidence from smartphone and surveillance cameras belonging to the public and store it in the Cloud for investigative use. "Survey Results in Improved AFIS Information" explains how the results of the Latent Fingerprint Interoperability Survey measured the level of interoperability of AFIS maintained by State and local law enforcement agencies for the electronic exchange of latent fingerprint data. "Magneto-Optical Technology Shows Promise in 'Unerasing' Serial Numbers" reports on the promise of magneto-optical technology as a better method for recovering obliterated firearms serial numbers than those currently used. "BA9000 Seeks to Promote Consistency in Armor Production" explains the value of BA 9000 - an application of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 specific to ballistic-resistant body armor manufacturing - as a certification for manufacturers of body armor.