The core of CRIMES is the Records Management System—our Incident Module and Master Name File. The Incident Module (offense reports) is NIBRS compliant. It provides for simplified data entry, requiring a user to open only screens appropriate for the data to be entered. It is not necessary to "walk-through" numerous irrelevant data screens.
Drop-down menus provide rapid and standardized entry formats. Where possible, drop-downs are user defined. Even fields like street names have drop down capability. Thus, when an officer begins typing Mart___, Martin Luther King Blvd will automatically appear, requiring only a key stroke to enter—and standardizing spelling for later accuracy in search. Where apropriate, drop downs are keyed against NIBRS standardized options. Once a name is entered, it automatically appears in subsequent relevant search fields in the drop down box, for example, under victim-offender relationship.
Lists of multiple involved elements, such as property, are logged in list boxes—continuously displayed to the user so they do not lose track of "where they are". When person names are entered, the master name file is launched. Instant search is launched to ascertain if the person is already in the system. If so, existing descriptive information is displayed. The existing information can be updated, or if accurate, simply transferred to the report being completed with a single keystroke.
The master name file is independently accessible to enter persons or organizations of concern to the police. These might include lists as diverse as business contact numbers of gang members. The master name file is searchable by any combination of characteristics—as vague as "tattoo on arm."
The narrative portion of offense reports is entered using Microsoft Word®. Thus officers have all the convenience and quality control (e.g., spell check) of a full word processing package.
