Tips From An Expert: How to Better Manage Data for Better Sex Offender Investigations
Provided by OffenderWatch
You can have the most comprehensive database in the U.S. with extremely detailed data sets on the sex offenders in your area, but it is worthless if you can’t leverage that data for actionable insights. Three differentiators that might help you produce data output that is meaningful and easy for you to use in daily investigations include:
Set higher standards for data collection in your agency. If you ask anyone in law enforcement, they are likely to agree that simply collecting the 30 to 50 fields of data mandated by the statutes of a state does not produce a robust, all-inclusive database that can be later used to conduct effective searches and investigations. While it is a great place to start, you’ll notice that the bits and pieces of information that proved invaluable during a successful investigation were not statutorily mandated fields collected at the time of registration.
Mandate that your officers collect more than the law requires—this information will help you in the long run, and does not take much more effort. Having a mindset that establishes the importance of exceeding the minimum statutory requirements is not only the first step, but it is also the most crucial step.
Own a clear, consistent and documented plan identifying your minimum requirements. Your plan needs to show that everyone on your team collects this information from all sex offenders – not just a select few. Having written policies and procedures ensures adoption and protects your agency by demonstrating consistency in the data you collect. It is less likely for an offender to say that he or she has been unfairly targeted if you produce a written plan showing that you follow the same data collection protocol for all offenders.
It’s also important to note that you are not requesting additional data from the sex offender; the additional fields cover descriptive information such as build, facial characteristics, body odor, hair length and style, and more. These are descriptors that you see while the offender is sitting in front of you, and do not require additional questioning. In fact, much of this information can be added during your next face-to-face visit. Now, before you start thinking that this is a manually intensive process, alter your mindset to the outcome: Adding more descriptive details each time you see the sex offender may greatly help in the future.
Inspect what you expect. Follow up to ensure that your standards are being activated and the correct information is being obtained. If (or when) you experience an abduction is not the time to realize that you have incomplete records. Avoid this nightmare scenario when the clock is ticking and you’re frantically trying to produce a list of potential suspects. OffenderWatch offers the ability to search for incomplete records for this very reason.
Three tips on data collection
Physical data is what you would expect to find on your initial registration forms, usually mandated by your state statute and rarely provided by a victim or witness. For example, name, SID, gender, race, eye color, hair color, height, weight, to name a few.
On the other hand, descriptive data is not required to be collected by statute. Ironically, this data set is what victims or witnesses will use to describe a sex offender the majority of the time. Physical data can even help prevent or solve a crime. Examples include build, hair length, complexion, facial hair, facial characteristics, body odor, and more. You meet the letter of the law with physical data, but exceed the spirit of the law with descriptive data.
- During registration/re-registration, avoid blank fields. For example, if an offender does not have a vehicle or phone, simply enter “None Reported.” Keep in mind, registration forms and verification forms are criminal history reports. If you get called in to testify for any reason, you’ll have proof of asking the sex offender about a vehicle if you recorded “None Reported.” If the field is blank, it’s your word against the offender’s word.
- Never allow sex offenders to fill out forms. As criminal history reports, these forms need to be legible and consistent. Allowing offenders to complete paperwork may seem like a time saver, but it opens the door to liability.
- Ask open-ended questions. By interviewing a sex offender for their date of birth, address, etc. you may be surprised by the number of false responses you have received. You’ll notice a common trend of offenders not being able to recall what they told you in the last interview. By asking them to confirm information, it is too easy for an offender to get away with a lie. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to ask open-ended questions as opposed to yes/no confirmation questions.
