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Jun 15, 2023
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Narcan Initiative – Get SAFE with Tracker Products
May 18, 2023
The Fentanyl crisis in the United States has reached epidemic levels in the past several years, and Tracker Products is committed to delivering SAFE solutions like Narcan. James Nally of Tracker Products has worked tirelessly as an advocate for the evidence management community to identify sources where they can obtain free Narcan – a medicine […]
New SAFE Evidence Management Feature – Org Item Sharing
Apr 27, 2023
With the release of Tracker Products’ SAFE v104b, users now have access to the new evidence management Org Item Sharing feature. This feature allows separate SAFE users to share evidence with one another and reap the rewards of a single, unified chain of custody. The SAFE Org Item Sharing feature allows each organization to present […]
Evidence Management – Audits vs. Inventories
Apr 27, 2023
Evidence Management – Law enforcement agencies must account for all evidence in their possession to ensure items remain protected, secure, and admissible to court. Two methods for making sure that evidence items are accounted for are audits and inventories. So, it’s essential to understand the differences and benefits of each. An audit is a review […]
Evidence Management: Bowling Green PD Virtual Evidence Room Tour – Part 2
Feb 25, 2023
In the second half of this evidence management webinar, Ben Townsend of Tracker Products continued to interview David Bragg of the Bowling Green Police Department to gain insight into the ongoing improvement efforts of their evidence management agency in Kentucky. It took David several years to get his property room cleaned up and running smoothly. […]
Evidence Management: Bowling Green PD Virtual Evidence Room Tour – Part 1
Feb 24, 2023
In this evidence management webinar, Ben Townsend of Tracker Products interviewed David Bragg of the Bowling Green Police Department to give a little bit of insight into the ongoing improvement efforts of their evidence management agency in Kentucky. It took David several years to get his property room cleaned up and running smoothly. We are […]
Chain of Custody and Digital Evidence Management
Dec 21, 2022
Evidence management personnel know that rock-solid chain of custody records are essential to the admissibility of digital evidence during the entire legal process. Police departments process a mind-boggling amount of sensitive digital evidence, so it’s critical that the original evidence be carefully packaged, managed, and tracked throughout the entire lifecycle. An unbreakable chain of custody […]
Evidence Management – On-Prem VS. The Cloud
Aug 11, 2022
Tracker Products’ SAFE evidence management software is available as both an On-Prem and Cloud solution, which means we’re not motivated to sway your opinion about which one is a better solution. But, that doesn’t mean we don’t have an opinion. And a strong one at that. Let’s dive a little deeper into the topic of […]
Evidence Management – In-Person SAFE Training Classes
Jul 07, 2022
Whether you’re new to Tracker’s SAFE software or you’ve been using it for years, our 2-Day in-person evidence management training classes will dramatically improve your evidence units proficiency. This in-depth training will not only help you take full advantage of SAFE’s range of capabilities, it just might help your evidence management unit build a business […]
Evidence Management – Implementation and Support
Jun 29, 2022
A key component in the TEMS stack of evidence management solutions is implementation and support. But, before we dive into this specific topic, let’s first discuss the TEMS concept. TEMS stands for Total Evidence Management Solutions. TEMS isn’t one thing it’s many things – a stack of diverse solutions, some free, some have a fee […]
Multi-Layered Evidence Management Consulting Services
May 27, 2022
Tracker Products and the Evidence Management Institute (EMI) have joined forces to offer you the most comprehensive collection of products and services available in the evidence management world today. Our 360º Total Evidence Management Solution (TEMS) is an assemblage of moving parts working together to serve the needs of the evidence management community. The one […]
A 360º Total Evidence Management Solution
May 19, 2022
When Tracker Products and the Evidence Management Institute (EMI) teamed up to launch the Evidence Management Community Forum on Facebook – at the beginning of the pandemic – our goal was to bring the evidence management community together and provide a safe haven to promote connection and open communication. We hoped to create a space […]
The Top 5 Things to Consider When Comparing Evidence Management Software Systems
May 11, 2022
For those of you who are not using a digital evidence management system, or are stuck with a RMS product, odds are at some point you’re going to want to upgrade. Bearing that in mind, we felt it was important to provide information and resources that you could use to independently evaluate the evidence management […]
Wrongful Convictions – The Impact of Mishandled Evidence on the Accused
Apr 27, 2022
Tracker’s most popular blog, for two-and-a-half years running, has been about wrongful convictions. Specifically, THE IMPACT OF MISHANDLED EVIDENCE ON THE ACCUSED. In the last month alone, 156 readers – who we assume to be in the field of evidence management – have turned to this article to discover how the accused may actually be […]
Evidence Management Inventories: Why, When, and How-To
Apr 13, 2022
Law enforcement is obligated to, and responsible for, everything inside their evidence management facility. If evidence custodians don’t know what they have inside their facility, then they’re really not taking their obligations very seriously. The chain of custody defines credibility. Part of that credibility is based on the willingness to hold themselves accountable for doing […]
MANAGING AND TRACKING EVIDENCE – Do You Need to Upgrade?
Apr 05, 2022
In several blogs that we have published here, on Tracker’s website, and on our partner’s website – the Evidence Management Institute (EMI) – we refer to NIST’s Biological Evidence Preservation Handbook countless times. It is, without a doubt, THE go-to resource for the standards and best practices for dealing with biological evidence. It is also […]
Evidence Management Audits – Critical to Compliance and Security
Mar 28, 2022
The purpose of an audit is to measure compliance with the standards and best practices of your law enforcement agency. Audits also gauge the effectiveness of your organizational process to see if you are effectively tracking and managing your evidence. In short, audits are a comprehensive compliance evaluation and analysis of evidence management operations. When […]
Why a Mobile App is Critical for Effective Evidence Management
Mar 20, 2022
As technology evolves and pushes towards an app-driven environment across the industry, Tracker’s SAFE software meets the current and future needs of evidence managers through our mobile application. Gone (forever) are the days when people were tethered to their desks, manually entering or managing evidence. Using the mobile app, you and the people involved in […]
What an Evidence Management System Can Do That Pen and Paper Can’t!
Mar 10, 2022
As an evidence management software provider, we see countless Police Department Evidence Units: big and small, modern and outdated, overcrowded and room-to-grow, secure and vulnerable, temperature controlled and exposed to the elements. After years and years of seeing everything from stolen headstones to body parts, you would think that nothing could shock us. But, one […]
TOTAL EVIDENCE MANAGEMENT SOLUTION
Feb 04, 2022
At Tracker, our larger mission is justice. Our products and services promote and support the equitable delivery of justice through the fundamental integrity of evidence. We serve government agencies and corporate clients who manage evidence as a core business function. Knowing that the collection and storage of evidence, along with chain of custody procedures, could […]
Forest Park Police Department Virtual Evidence Room Tour – Part 2
Jan 12, 2022
David Marks from Tracker Products hosted our webinar live from the evidence room of the Forest Park Police Department. Forest Park PD Operations Commander Adam Pape and Officer Phil Crowley showed off their recently upgraded evidence room and discussed the upgrade process, including the challenges, lessons learned, and ultimate success of the initiative. Topics include… […]
Forest Park Police Department Virtual Evidence Room Tour – Part 1
Jan 05, 2022
David Marks from Tracker Products hosted our webinar live from the evidence room of the Forest Park Police Department . Forest Park PD Operations Commander Adam Pape and Officer Phil Crowley showed off their recently upgraded evidence room and discussed the upgrade process, including the challenges, lessons learned, and ultimate success of the initiative. Topics […]
How to “Move” Your Evidence Room – Part 2
Dec 07, 2021
In this evidence management webinar, Ben Townsend, Founder and CEO of Tracker Products, discusses how to “move” your evidence room with Beth Bennett. Topics include: Are Chain of Custody records required for a move? What to avoid when “moving” evidence What to accomplish when “moving” evidence Examples of good moves ***Featured Guest, Beth Bennett Ben […]
How to “Move” Your Evidence Room – Part 1
Dec 01, 2021
In this evidence management webinar, Ben Townsend, Founder and CEO of Tracker Products, discusses how to “move” your evidence room. Topics include: Are Chain of Custody records required for a move? What to avoid when “moving” evidence What to accomplish when “moving” evidence Examples of good moves Ben began the webinar by saying, “A couple […]
The Future of Evidence Management
Nov 11, 2021
“The Evidence Show” is hosted by EMI Executive Director Shawn Henderson. Not to spoil the plot, but The Evidence Show is, well… a show about evidence management. In each episode, we look at the unique issues that impact evidence managers, custodians, and the law enforcement community in general. In this episode, Shawn discusses what’s on […]
Evidence Management Leadership Series: Influence
Aug 20, 2021
The ability to motivate and inspire others to take action is the distinguishing factor between a leader and a manager. The best evidence custodians are those who can successfully influence up, down, and across their agency; impacting results by driving positive behavior change. Influencing behavior is not a one-time event, but a continuous process and […]
10 Things Your RMS Won’t Do for Evidence Management
Aug 10, 2021
In this evidence management webinar Ben Townsend, the founder and CEO of Tracker Products, discusses the limitations of using an RMS for evidence management. Quality evidence management systems integrate and automate the full spectrum of physical and digital evidence management processes, from submission, documentation, and labeling at intake through final approval and recording of disposition. […]
Evidence Management Data Security and Infrastructure Overview – Part 2
Jul 28, 2021
Is your agency’s data at risk? In Part 2 of this webinar, we dove into the topic of data security. More than ever, the focus on the protection of sensitive and critical data is a result of growing cyber risks and increasingly stringent data security regulations. Ben Townsend, the Founder and CEO of Tracker Products, […]
Evidence Management Data Security and Infrastructure Overview – Part 1
Jul 21, 2021
Is your agency’s data at risk? In this webinar, we dove into the topic of data security. More than ever, the focus on the protection of sensitive and critical data is a result of growing cyber risks and increasingly stringent data security regulations. Ben Townsend, the Founder and CEO of Tracker Products, began the conversation […]
Evidence Management: Cell Phone Intake, Processing, and Storage – Part 2
Jun 28, 2021
In this webinar, Matthew Porras from Ohio’s Westlake Police Department joined Ben Townsend – the Founder and CEO of Tracker Products – for a virtual evidence room tour. One topic they discussed is how West Lake handles cell phone intake, processing, and storage in their evidence room. Ben continued the conversation by saying, “In the […]
Evidence Management: Cell Phone Intake, Processing, and Storage – Part 1
Jun 16, 2021
In this webinar, Matthew Porras from Ohio’s Westlake Police Department joined Ben Townsend – the Founder and CEO of Tracker Products – for a virtual evidence room tour. One topic they discussed is how West Lake handles cell phone intake, processing, and storage in their evidence management room. Ben began the conversation by saying, “Today, […]
Evidence Room Inventories Made Easy – Part 2
Jun 09, 2021
In this webinar, Ben Townsend – the Founder and CEO of Tracker Products – was joined by Krista Morton from the Des Moines Police Department for a discussion about inventory best practices. Ben continued the discussion by saying, “Yesterday, I asked Krista to take Tracker’s SAFE mobile app and have someone take a video of […]
Evidence Room Inventories Made Easy – Part 1
Jun 02, 2021
In this webinar, Ben Townsend – the Founder and CEO of Tracker Products – was joined by Krista Morton from the Des Moines Police Department for a discussion about inventory best practices. Ben began the discussion by saying, “We’ve talked a little bit about inventories in previous webinars, but today we’re going to really dig […]
Evidence Management Leadership Series: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
May 27, 2021
In this webinar, Ben Townsend – the Founder and CEO of Tracker Products – discussed The Five Dysfunctions of a Team as part of his Leadership Series to help promote personal and professional development for evidence managers. He began by saying, “I believe dysfunction occurs by simply doing nothing. In fact, the less you do, […]
Hillview Police Department (KY) Virtual Evidence Room Tour – Part 2
May 24, 2021
In Part 2 of this webinar, Ben Townsend, the founder and CEO of Tracker Products, continued the conversation with Lieutenant Charles McWhirter (left) and Detective Scott Barrow (right) of the Hillview Police Department regarding their outstanding evidence management practices, and to virtually tour their facilities. Ben said, “Let’s move into the actual evidence room. It’s […]
Hillview Police Department (KY) Virtual Evidence Room Tour – Part 1
May 11, 2021
In this webinar, Ben Townsend, the founder and CEO of Tracker Products, sat down with Lieutenant Charles McWhirter (left) and Detective Scott Barrow (right) of the Hillview Police Department to discuss their outstanding evidence management practices, and to virtually tour their facilities. Ben began by saying, “We’ll start with you, Lieutenant. How did you get into […]
Evidence Management: 5 Critical Steps to Being Organized
May 10, 2021
In this webinar, Ben Townsend, the founder and CEO of Tracker Products, discussed the five critical steps to being organized, as part of his Leadership Series to help promote personal and professional development for evidence managers. He began by saying, “Today we’re going to cover organization. You may think, What does organization have to do […]
Preparing for an Evidence Room Audit – Part 2
Apr 29, 2021
In this webinar, Ben Townsend, the founder and CEO of Tracker Products, invited Shawn Henderson, the Executive Director of the Evidence Management Institute, onto the show to discuss best practices when preparing for an audit. As a former police officer and supervisor, Shawn developed a curriculum, created policies and procedures, and provided training across multiple […]
Preparing for an Evidence Room Audit – Part 1
Apr 26, 2021
In this webinar, Ben Townsend, the founder and CEO of Tracker Products, invited Shawn Henderson, the Executive Director of the Evidence Management Institute, onto the show to discuss best practices when preparing for an audit. Shawn is uniquely qualified to discuss this topic – and many others – as he was previously a police officer […]
What is your vision for evidence management in your agency?
Apr 14, 2021
Having vision gives individuals and businesses a clear sense of purpose. It paints a much larger picture than simply setting and reaching short term goals, or reacting to problems as they arise. Visions are driven by passion and dreams, and they are reflected through real efforts to create real results. To see why having a […]
Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office (WV) Virtual Evidence Room Tour – Part 2
Apr 12, 2021
In Part 2 of this blog, the excerpts below were taken from this evidence management webinar with Willie Johnson from the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office (WV). He joined us for a virtual evidence room tour last June (2020), and shared some tips about how to overcome some unique challenges he has faced as an evidence […]
Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office (WV) Virtual Evidence Room Tour – Part 1
Apr 02, 2021
Whether Covid (or this crazy winter) is keeping you from the great outdoors, we thought you might appreciate knowing what’s going on inside the evidence management community; how other people, just like you, are not only coping but also using this time of uncertainty to elevate their evidence management practices. If you would like to […]
Evidence Management: How to Catch a Thief, Evidence Room Edition – Part 2
Mar 23, 2021
In Part 1 of this blog, Beth Bennett – who worked with the Raytown Police Department for many years, and became a Tracker Team member about 2 years ago – shared a story about a detective who was stealing drugs and jewelry from her property room. In Part 2, she will expand on what she […]
Evidence Management: How to Catch a Thief, Evidence Room Edition – Part 1
Mar 17, 2021
When the outset of Covid-19 began, we wanted to do something different for today’s evidence management environment by offering webinars, FREE evidence management training, and a Facebook Community Forum for evidence custodians nationwide. This community forum – which currently has over 550 members – is for the purpose of discussing anything in the realm of […]
Bowling Green (KY) Police Department – 5 Year Evidence Room Clean Up Process – Part 2
Mar 08, 2021
In this webinar, Ben Townsend, the Founder and CEO of Tracker Products, interviewed David Bragg, of the Bowling Green (KY) Police Department, to learn more about his five year evidence room clean-up efforts. When the evidence data was migrated from their old RMS system, to the new Tracker Software, David did some benchmark testing. He […]
Bowling Green (KY) Police Department – 5 Year Evidence Room Clean Up Process – Part 1
Mar 03, 2021
In this webinar, Ben Townsend, the Founder and CEO of Tracker Products, interviewed David Bragg, of the Bowling Green (KY) Police Department, to learn more about his five year evidence room clean-up efforts. David was also a participant on our second webinar, so the team at Tracker Products was excited to invite him back as […]
Orange County Sheriff’s Department Evidence Room Tour – Part 3
Feb 26, 2021
In part 3 of this webinar, we finished the interview with James Nally of the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department – a large, multi-faceted law enforcement agency served by approximately 3,800 sworn and professional staff members, and over 800 reserve personnel. It was such a great interview that we hated to see it end. James continued […]
Orange County Sheriff’s Department Evidence Room Tour – Part 2
Feb 17, 2021
The Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department is a large, multi-faceted law enforcement agency served by approximately 3,800 sworn and professional staff members, and over 800 reserve personnel. In this webinar, James Nally joined Ben Townsend – the Founder and CEO of Tracker Products – to share his best practices with the audience. Although James is not […]
Orange County Sheriff’s Department Evidence Room Tour – Part 1
Feb 10, 2021
In this webinar, James Nally from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department joined us for a virtual evidence room tour. This interview is part of our effort to help elevate, and unite, the world of evidence and property. The Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department is a large, multi-faceted law enforcement agency served by approximately 3,800 sworn and […]
El Mirage Police Department Virtual Evidence Room Tour – Part 2
Feb 04, 2021
In Part 1 of this webinar we interviewed Jason Michael from the El Mirage, Arizona Police Department for a virtual evidence room tour. In Part 2, BenTownsend – the Founder and CEO of Tracker Products – continued the conversation and asked Jason to respond to some questions that came in from the attendees. This first […]
El Mirage Police Department Virtual Evidence Room Tour – Part 1
Jan 28, 2021
During these unprecedented times, we decided to focus on the positive things that are happening in our corner of the evidence management world. In this webinar, we were joined by Jason Michael from the El Mirage, Arizona Police Department for a virtual evidence room tour. As evidence custodians, we can learn a great deal by […]
Audits: Crucial For Preserving the Integrity of Evidence
Jan 20, 2021
To protect the integrity of evidence that is stored within law enforcement facilities, we encourage you to incorporate audits as a part of your agency’s protocol. Below, we talk about how Tracker’s SAFE software can facilitate the implementation of this accountability process for evidence custodians. Primarily, the purpose of an audit is to measure compliance […]
How To Evaluate Evidence Management Systems- Part 2
Jan 12, 2021
In this webinar, Ben Townsend, the Founder and CEO of Tracker Products, talked about the process of evaluating evidence management software systems. He explained the important criteria and features that you should be looking for. This was NOT a session that was intended to sell Tracker’s software or evaluate specific products, it was meant to […]
How To Evaluate Evidence Management Systems- Part 1
Jan 06, 2021
In this webinar, Ben Townsend, the Founder and CEO of Tracker Products, talked about the process of evaluating the evidence management software options that are on the market today. He examined the important criteria and features that you should be looking for. This was NOT a session for selling software or evaluating specific products, this […]
Evidence Management Webinar Series Episode 10: COVID 19 and Crime Labs – Part 2
Dec 17, 2020
In this webinar, Ben Townsend – the CEO of Tracker Products – hosted a panel discussion with Scott Gosselin from the Maine State Police Crime Lab and Michele Foster from the Canton Stark County Crime Lab, to talk about the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on crime lab operations. In Part 2 of […]
Evidence Management Webinar Series Episode 10: COVID 19 and Crime Labs – Part 1
Dec 14, 2020
In this webinar, Ben Townsend – the CEO of Tracker Products – hosted a panel discussion with Scott Gosselin from the Maine State Police Crime Lab and Michele Foster from the Canton Stark County Crime Lab, to talk about the impact that the COVID 19 pandemic has had on crime lab operations. Ben began by […]
Evidence Management Success: Clay County Sheriff’s Office
Dec 10, 2020
Recently, we interviewed Mike Dale, a Sergeant from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office; asking him to share some of his biggest challenges and most notable solutions since taking over the evidence unit in 2013. As with other, similar interviews, our intention is to create a sense of community for evidence custodians, wherein they can learn […]
Evidence Management Success: Hillview Police Department
Nov 11, 2020
Chris Boone, a Detective with the Hillview PD, was kind enough to participate in an interview with Tracker Products recently. The intention of this interview was to learn about some of the challenges Chris has faced in the evidence management unit and the best practices he put in place to tackle them. We hope this […]
Evidence Management Success: Rumford Police Department Part 2
Oct 29, 2020
In Part 2 of this interview with Tony Milligan – Chief of Police for Rumford PD, and Dan Garbarini – a captain with Rumford PD, in charge of major crimes and evidence management – we discussed why they […]
Evidence Management Success: Rumford Police Department Part 1
Oct 21, 2020
There’s so much negativity in law enforcement right now – people highlighting what departments are doing wrong – so we are trying to turn that narrative around by shining a positive light on the things police departments are doing right. Because Tracker Products works directly with the evidence management element of law enforcement, we decided […]
Evidence Management Success: Nappanee Police Department
Oct 14, 2020
We interviewed Nik Havert – a detective and the lead CSI with the Nappanee PD – in hopes that other evidence custodians could benefit from the lessons he learned when taking over the evidence unit. We asked him to tell us a little bit about the size of his department and the community they serve. […]
Evidence Management Success: Nicholasville Police Department
Sep 30, 2020
We interviewed Matthew Godsey, a Lieutenant with the Nicholasville Police Department, who took over the property and evidence operations at the beginning of 2020. The city has a population of about 30,000 people, with 65 officers serving the community. Changing roles can be both challenging and rewarding. We asked Matthew to tell us a little […]
Evidence Management Success: Western Kentucky University Police Department
Sep 24, 2020
This week we interviewed Ryan Petty, a Sergeant serving the Investigations unit at Western Kentucky University Police Department. The intention of this interview was to talk about the challenges that he has faced working in the evidence unit and the unique solutions that he brought to the table. We asked Ryan to tell us a […]
Evidence Management Success: Florence Police Department
Sep 17, 2020
We interviewed Erik Daniels, a Detective Sergeant with the Florence Police Department, to understand the highs and lows of his evidence management journey. We, at Tracker Products, feel that now – during this time of isolation and uncertainty – is the perfect time to come together and learn from other evidence and property custodians. By […]
Evidence Management Success: University of KY Police Department Interview
Sep 10, 2020
In this interview, Tracker Products sat down with Jacquelyn Riley, the property, evidence and records officer with the University of Kentucky Police Department. The intention of this interview was to talk about the challenges, solutions, and best practices she has experienced in the evidence management process, since joining the U of K PD. We asked […]
Evidence Management Success Interview: Jeffersontown Police Department (KY)
Sep 02, 2020
In this evidence management success interview, we spoke with Debra Wood, who single-handedly runs the property and evidence room for the Jeffersontown Police Department. Part of her duties involve: keeping track of all the evidence, taking items to the lab, retrieving them, and storing/managing all of the items. A representative of Tracker Products SAFE Software […]
Evidence Management Success Interview: Erlanger Police Department
Aug 14, 2020
Tracker Products recently conducted an interview with Douglas (Doug) Eagler of the Erlanger Kentucky Police Department about their evidence management practices. The intention of the interview was to understand some of his department’s challenges, solutions, and best practices when it came to evidence management. We asked him to introduce himself and to tell us a […]
Leadership Development – Creating Positive Change Part 2
Jul 22, 2020
In Part 1 of this blog, Ben addressed the topic of, Why People Resist Change; the first three reasons were… “Number one, the change isn’t self-initiated. This is a trait that I have recognized in my own life. A lot of people, they love change, but they want to be the agent. Maybe the chief […]
Leadership Development – Creating Positive Change Part 1
Jul 17, 2020
Your host of WebinarE16 was Ben Townsend, CEO of Tracker Products’ SAFE Software Ben believes that everyone can benefit from leadership education. He said, “The concept of leadership and leadership development is something that I learned the hard way; about five years ago. I believe passionately that everybody – I don’t care what position you’re […]
Evidence Management: Omaha Police Department Virtual Tour – Part 3
May 29, 2020
Featuring Ben Townsend, CEO of Tracker Products, and special guest, Staci Witkowski of the Omaha Police Department – a large organization with 600+ officers and hundreds of thousands of pieces of active evidence. Completely revamping an evidence unit is a major challenge. As such, Ben asked, “I’m curious… on those days when you wanted to […]
Evidence Management: Omaha Police Department Virtual Tour – Part 2
May 21, 2020
Featuring Ben Townsend, CEO of Tracker Products, and special guest, Staci Witkowski of the Omaha Police Department – a large organization with 600+ officers and hundreds of thousands of pieces of active evidence. In Part 1 of this webinar, Ben asked, “What do you remember when you walked into the evidence room for the first […]
Evidence Management: Omaha Police Department Virtual Tour – Part 1
May 15, 2020
Featuring Ben Townsend CEO of Tracker Products, and special guest, Staci Witkowski of the Omaha Police Department In this webinar, we took a look at the evidence room at Omaha’s PD and interviewed Staci Witkowski; who led one of the most thorough clean up projects we have ever seen. We learn what took her to […]
Using Your Evidence Room Data As An Analytical Tool
Apr 01, 2020
Recently, Ben Townsend, the CEO of Tracker Products, sat down with David Bragg (bottom-left of the screenshot) – the evidence administrator for the Bowling Green Police Department in Kentucky (BGPD) – for a 20 minute webinar, to discuss how he uses data-driven analytics to empower his command staff and help ease the burden of storage […]
The Des Moines PD Virtual Evidence Room Tour
Mar 25, 2020
We’re living in a different time right now with the influx of COVID-19; and we’re all navigating uncharted territory in the evidence management world. With the world being quarantined, Tracker Products decided to do something we’ve never done before: offer free training, webinars, and virtual tours of evidence rooms. In a recent webinar, Ben Townsend, […]
Apple Valley Police Department: From an Archaic Evidence Tracking System, to State-of-the-Art
Mar 04, 2020
Police and law enforcement agencies collect, access, track, and assess evidence. Evidence and property personnel are tasked with the unsung duties of working as the liaison between detectives and attorneys to ensure all evidence for criminal discovery is properly stored, documented, analyzed, presented in court, and eventually disposed of in accordance with all legal and […]
The Power of Automating Evidence Disposition
Feb 19, 2020
Every item of evidence that’s submitted by an officer is going to be disposed of at some point. There are things that will be kept for decades and there are things that will be held for weeks, but everything has an eligibility date. Most of the evidence that comes in, becomes eligible for disposition through […]
Adapting To New Evidence Management Protocols
Feb 13, 2020
Evidence Units within law enforcement agencies would benefit from reviewing their current organizational policies – as related to evidence management – in order to reveal ineffective evidence tracking practices and procedures. By doing so, new solutions can be implemented to safeguard the integrity of the evidence for its entire lifecycle. In the current evidence management […]
Inventory: A Crucial Part of Evidence Management
Jan 29, 2020
If you’re trying to decide on a new evidence tracking system, it’s important to find a single source that addresses the critical needs of your particular property and evidence management facility. Simply knowing what you have stored in your evidence facility doesn’t help you to manage the flow of evidence through your agency; there are […]
Evidence Management: The Guy Who Got It Right!
Jan 15, 2020
A law enforcement culture that respects property/evidence management personnel, and understands the resources they need in order to be effective, has become increasingly important in a society that seems to enjoy disgracing agencies when they’ve mishandled evidence. But, as important as respect and support are, evidence custodians still seem to be as neglected as children […]
Evidence Management: The Key to Catching the “Bedroom Basher”
Jan 09, 2020
The amount of evidence that’s collected at a single crime scene is mind-boggling; but consider the number of crimes that occur, every day, in cities across the United States. In 2018, the FBI estimated that there were 1,206,836 violent crimes and 7,196,045 property crimes, nationally. Multiply that by the number of items collected from each […]
Evidence Disposition: How to Make Room for a U-Haul
Jan 02, 2020
With new technologies, new techniques, and new standards of professionalism, the field of evidence management is changing every day; raising the bar for law enforcement agencies nationwide. Evidence custodians who are properly trained and committed to the highest standards of evidence management can tackle the inevitable challenges that will arise; thereby reducing the potential liability […]
The Modern Evidence Trail
Dec 24, 2019
Increased technological use, in nearly everyone’s business and personal lives, has resulted in an explosion of digital crimes. For law enforcement, in particular, it’s not uncommon for squad car video, body cam recordings, crime scene photos, audio files, or mobile phone data to be collected on almost every criminal case. Digital footprints, of any kind, […]
The Deluge of Digital Evidence
Dec 17, 2019
In the last few years, evidence management has become much more hectic due to the dramatic increase in digital evidence. In fact, it’s predicted that in less than five years, digital evidence will eclipse the amount of physical evidence that is taken in annually by law enforcement agencies. Because of that, Evidence Custodians, are leading […]
The Untrained Evidence Clerk and a Faulty Tracking System
Dec 03, 2019
Having an effective evidence management system, and a comprehensive understanding of organizational procedures is essential for maintaining the integrity of evidence throughout its entire lifecycle. Establishing sufficient intake, processing, and movement protocols and procedures is critical to ensuring sustainable evidence operations. Without an effective tracking system – and properly trained evidence handlers – the results […]
Discarded Evidence in the Case of the Murdered Priest
Nov 26, 2019
Imagine this. You have been arrested, tried, and convicted for a crime you did not commit. If you could not afford a lawyer (the vast majority of criminal defendants cannot) a lawyer was provided for you. Despite your innocence, the evidence was mishandled, lost, or destroyed; which means the evidence tracking system, and the people […]
Evidence Management: A Fallible Chain of Custody and the Unsolved Murder Case
Nov 20, 2019
In criminal cases, most of the evidence is collected, submitted, managed and transferred by law enforcement officers. Because protecting the integrity of evidence is key – in order for justice to be served – it can be alarming to consider the consequences of agencies who misplace, compromise, lose or wrongfully dispose of evidence. Murderers, rapists, […]
Exonerations in Texas Show the Need for Standardized Evidence Management Policies
Nov 15, 2019
With the sharp increase in the sheer volume of evidence that is collected – for everything from digital to personal and property crimes – having a digital tracking system in place should be a top priority for all law enforcement agencies. In addition, establishing sufficient intake, processing, and movement protocols and procedures is critical not […]
Evidence Destruction and the Body Under the Bridge
Oct 30, 2019
In today’s world of law enforcement, the amount of evidence that’s collected for each crime has increased dramatically. That means the way evidence is collected, submitted, preserved and tracked has to change just as drastically. It’s not enough to have well-trained officers in the field, if the evidence they’ve worked so hard to collect is […]
The Devastating Effects of Evidence Corruption in Child Abuse Cases
Oct 23, 2019
With the increase in physical and digital evidence, paper and pen tracking systems simply don’t cut it anymore. By implementing digital tracking software, you will be better equipped to safeguard evidence from the time of collection to disposition; while also holding individuals accountable for it’s handling. When tracked and managed properly, you can readily prove […]
A Decrepit Evidence Facility and Missing Bundles of Cocaine
Oct 16, 2019
The shape of your evidence facility says a lot about the overall professionalism and reliability of your department. A lack of organization in your evidence storage facility makes it difficult for law enforcement to track and locate evidence, which can hinder the legal process and/or result in an unfortunate mistrial; giving criminals the freedom to […]
A Bumbling Cop or a Flawed Evidence Tracking System?
Oct 09, 2019
At Tracker Products, we believe law enforcement agencies should be committed to having the best evidence management system possible. It’s not enough to simply collect and list evidence. In order for justice to be served, it’s imperative that the evidence is properly handled and diligently tracked – using an evidence tracking system that ensures a […]
The FBI Feels the Sting of Choosing the Wrong Evidence Management System
Oct 03, 2019
Law enforcement individuals who are tasked with handling evidence have a responsibility to ensure proper chain of custody for both physical and digital evidence. By doing so, agencies are able to maintain the integrity of the evidence and prevent compromise and contamination. With digital evidence on the rise – and the increased role that DNA […]
The Ripple Effect of Mishandled Evidence
Sep 25, 2019
Many states are adopting more stringent discovery laws to ensure that all case evidence is available to both prosecutors and defense attorneys before trial. Even for the most complex criminal cases, the physical evidence side of this equation is pretty straightforward. But, straightforward doesn’t necessarily ensure effective evidence collection and management. Take for example, the […]
Evidence Management – Chain of Custody and a Rogue Police Officer
Sep 18, 2019
The term “chain of custody” refers to the system of evidence handling and tracking during the investigation of a case. Proving that an item of evidence has been properly handled through an unbroken chain of custody is required for it to be legally considered as evidence in court. But sometimes, overworked and underpaid officers go […]
No Justice for All – Lost Evidence Botches 43 Cases in a Day
Sep 11, 2019
If you’re in law enforcement, you know that safe evidence storage and a secure chain of custody should be a major priority for your department. Using an outdated tracking system, has a negative impact on things like protocol, chain-of-custody and even the management of storage facilities. The list of negative consequences due to damaged, lost, […]
Lost Evidence and the Most Famous Missing Child in History
Sep 04, 2019
Evidence facility audits – nationwide – continue to reveal instances of missing evidence, which means weaker criminal cases and mistrials. The result? No justice for victims or for those who are wrongfully incarcerated. Take the case of the “Long-Lost Evidence In Etan Patz Case.” According to excerpts from BuzzFeed News, “Evidence from the case was […]
Evidence Management – The Case of the Missing Bloody Jacket
Aug 28, 2019
Lost Evidence is More Common Than You Think More often than not, lost evidence hasn’t actually been removed from a law enforcement storage facility, it’s been misplaced – logged into one area of a storage facility and then moved without anyone noting the new location. The impact? Lost evidence can set a killer free or […]
The Impact of Mishandled Evidence on the Accused
Aug 21, 2019
When evidence is lost or destroyed, a court must decide guilt or innocence based solely on the witness’s unsubstantiated testimony for both the prosecution and defense. And if the evidence was exculpatory, the defendant will be negatively impacted, even if a new trial is ordered. Mishandled, damaged or lost physical or digital evidence can happen […]
If Your Evidence Warehouse Could Talk
Aug 14, 2019
Most, if not all, evidence custodians – and the police departments they work with – would like a more effective evidence management system, however, many people and agencies are resistant to change, because automating your tracking process can seem like a daunting task. But, what if you knew that a fixed attitude is affecting your […]
Effective Evidence Tracking Systems
Aug 07, 2019
Should Simplify, Streamline, and Secure Evidence and Solidify the Chain of Custody How quickly can you find inventory answers today? Is it painful for you to provide consistent monthly and annual reporting statistics? Without an automated Evidence Tracking System, Law Enforcement Professionals face inefficiencies, but most are unaware of how much time (and money) they […]
Evidence Management – There’s No More Room on My Password Cheat Sheet!
Jul 31, 2019
As the leading evidence management software provider in the world, our company, Tracker Products knows a thing or two about the importance of securing information. We are well versed in securing data to protect our clients’ information. However, the best security protocols in the world may not be able to secure your data if passwords […]
Having an Organized Property and Evidence Room
Jul 18, 2019
Having managed a property and evidence room for four years, I can speak from experience how much organization makes a difference. The best way to become organized is to have a superior evidence management system. When I managed the property room, I was forced to use the pen/paper system in the beginning. This caused the […]
Rating your Evidence Management System
Jul 03, 2019
We live in a world full of ratings. Thanks to technology and the Internet, people are able to rate every type of product, service, or entity, based on their personal experience. Whether we realize it or not, we have all been impacted or contributed to these ratings in one form or another. Think about your […]
Tackling Evidence Accumulation Challenges With Auto Disposition
Jun 26, 2019
“By implementing Tracker, we have been able to get rid of so much evidence that we stopped plans for a new storage facility for the property and evidence department.” — Dave Simpson, Director of Technology, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Tackling the Evidence Accumulation Challenges With Auto Disposition If you were to ask 100 Evidence Technicians, […]
Adopting the Evidence Auto-Disposition Mind-Set
Jun 19, 2019
The final link in the evidence custody chain is disposition. Proper evidence disposition is crucial to the integrity of the evidence custody chain as a whole. Based on location, and the local laws, there are different rules about the proper time to destroy, or return, evidence in cases. Some law enforcement agencies say that evidence […]
Evidence and Auto Disposition: What it is, Why it’s important, and How it’s done!
Jun 13, 2019
Undoubtedly, the single greatest problem most Evidence Managers have is … disposition. Many departments have had to acquire new buildings and exterior storage units to deal with the pile-up. Property rooms all over the country are bursting at the seams with evidence and the documentation that accompanies it. With dwindling budgets and limited resources, Evidence […]
Evidence Management System: Off the Shelf vs Building Internally
May 30, 2019
Should you purchase evidence management software from a vendor or use your internal resources to build your own evidence management system? Over the years the number of times I have had a potential client tell me “we are considering building an evidence management system in house” is staggering. Many companies have the resources to bring […]
Hungry for Better Evidence Management?
May 22, 2019
Tracker Products Lunch and Evidence Management Software Demonstrations Imagine you have created a software company from the ground up that specializes in evidence management; how do you spread the word about your company? The answer is simple, food and information! In 2005 when Tracker Products was born to carry out the mission to 1) provide […]
Evidence Management Tracking: RFID vs. Bar Code Technology
May 15, 2019
If you are in charge of a property and evidence room, RFID is knocking at the door as a potential evidence management solution. Radio Frequency IDentification is a technology that already has an impact on most of the things you do on a day to day basis. Wikipedia describes RFID as: An automatic identification method, […]
Tracker Evidence Management Software | Meet the Team: Kristee Ulerick
May 02, 2019
We are excited to start our new evidence management “Meet the Team” series by introducing you to Kristee Ulerick! Kristee has been a valuable part of our Tracker Sales Team since she came on board in April 2017. As Director of Business Development, Kristee leveraged her previous experience as a Certified Property Evidence Specialist […]
Evidence Management Software Licensing: What You Need to Know
Apr 25, 2019
What is an Evidence Management Software User License? An evidence management software license is a legal agreement between the evidence management software provider and the purchaser that establishes the client’s right to use the software and which features they can access. The structure of these user licenses varies depending on the evidence management software provider. […]
Evidence Management: If You’re Not Getting Better, You’re Getting Worse
Apr 17, 2019
Are you happy with a participation trophy? In my first year as head coach of my son’s youth football team, I was determined to make positive change. The team had talented players, but had earned only one victory the previous season and had struggled immensely with attitude, effort, and execution. There was definitely plenty of […]
Evidence Management System Price vs Value
Apr 09, 2019
Government Agencies are often forced to make a decision of choosing between a quality evidence management system that forces the department to raise the budget, and a sub-par evidence management system that meets their budgetary constraints. As consumers, we all face the same dilemma. If you don’t believe me, watch one episode of HGTV’s House […]
Evidence Management Software Versus Pen and Paper
Mar 27, 2019
With technological advances in evidence management and the increased use of connected handheld devices, it’s no surprise that the use of pen and paper is diminishing. Why use a pen and paper when you can type everything up on your tablet or phone? The same logic applies to your evidence management system. For evidence management, […]
Evidence Management System Decision Guide: 10 Essential Factors to Consider
Mar 19, 2019
If you are thinking about improving your evidence management process, congratulations! In this post, we have outlined 10 essential factors to consider when comparing evidence management software alternatives. After learning these 10 essential factors, be sure to access your free evidence management comparison worksheet to further aid your evaluation. Accessibility In today’s environment, you should […]
The Evidence Management Path to Success
Mar 12, 2019
Tracker Products has partnered with Evidence Management Institute to offer a new standard in evidence management training, certification, and consulting. The standards and practices offered will help you and your agency meet the changing demands of the justice system. “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” – Henry Ford – EMI’s Executive Director […]
Tracker Products Launches New Website for its Evidence Management Software
Mar 05, 2019
Today, Tracker Products announced the launch of its redesigned evidence management website www.trackerproducts.com. Tracker Products’ evidence tracking software SAFE is an end-to-end chain of custody software for physical and digital evidence. With the new website, visitors can more easily browse the features and benefits of SAFE. The new Tracker Products blog will provide visitors with […]
Just Use the RMS: Responding to Four Words that Make Evidence Managers Cringe
Feb 19, 2019
Evidence management is a complex and dynamic process. Beginning in the field at collection all the way to that glorious day of disposition; every moment and movement requires careful documentation and attention. Evidence managers understand the importance of using the right tools to accomplish the mission, and cringe when presented with the four words that […]
Evidence Management – Our System is Browser and Cloud Based: Why is That Important?
Mar 02, 2016
Tracker Products’ SAFE (Shared Archive for Evidence) software brings evidence management into the twenty-first century. We aim to enhance law enforcement agencies’ and other organizations’ operations with digital innovations. With automated alerts, customized report writing, intuitive dashboards, a mobile application, and more, we’ve striven to offer everything our clients need to crack their cases. As […]
Evidence Management – A Story of Law and Order
Jan 23, 2016
Evidence management – If evidence is the key to prosecuting crime, then a well-organized process for managing evidence is important. The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department resolved not to allow its history to repeat itself, which included a veteran of the department being convicted of a crime due to, in part, lacking evidence practices. Berkeley County […]
Evidence Management – How You Can Track Evidence From the Crime Scene to the Courtroom
Nov 23, 2015
In evidence management, losing a key piece of evidence is every law enforcement officer’s worst nightmare. You may know that a defendant is guilty or innocent based on a bloody jacket, bullet casing, contract, or even an email, but if you can’t produce this proof in court, you can’t bring justice to the victims. Unfortunately, […]
Evidence Management – Why is Chain of Custody Tracking Important?
Nov 16, 2015
Evidence management can make or break a court case. Important files, DNA, photographs, and other information can corroborate a suspect’s testimony or disprove a defendant’s argument so the jury and other authorities involved can make a confident decision. However, when it comes to official law enforcement proceedings, even the tiniest slip can get evidence thrown […]
How We Go Green: Paperless Evidence Management Tracking
Nov 09, 2015
Evidence Management – Organizations, businesses, and institutions across the nation are going green. Law enforcement agencies are no exception—police departments, in particular, are finding innovative ways to become more energy efficient, such as switching to battery-operated freeway flares or even upgrading their vehicles to hybrid models. While much environmentally friendly emphasis falls to more efficient […]
Our Product: SAFE Digital Evidence Management
Nov 02, 2015
Evidence Management – It’s undeniable, we’re living in a digital age. Nowadays, everything from medicine to communication has been computerized. As such, it makes sense that law enforcement and police agencies would follow suit. However, handling sensitive criminal and legal data in a digital manner isn’t without its difficulties. That’s where Tracker comes in. Our […]
Evidence Management: The Automated Evidence Recordkeeping Revolution
Oct 30, 2015
Law enforcement agencies, police departments, legal departments, and collections divisions rely on sound evidence management practices. Key items, test results, and other pieces of information can make or break a case. Proper evidence tracking and analysis can bring justice to the victims of crimes, settle important debts, and ensure a company’s future. For the past […]
Evidence Management: 7 Ways Tracker Makes Our Products Easy to Use
Oct 28, 2015
Let’s face it: newfangled software can be difficult to learn and implement, especially in evidence management. How many of us have struggled to install a new program or figure out the buttons on an app? At Tracker Products, we provide evidence management, asset management, and e-Discovery software. Our SAFE product helps organizations, institutions, and companies organize, […]
Evidence Management: Why Barcode is Better Than RFID
Oct 19, 2015
At Tracker Products, we provide advanced evidence management technology to make life easier for law enforcement agencies across the country. SAFE is evidence-tracking software that is designed to expedite criminal investigations. The Tracker team constantly explores new technologies and techniques to see if they may help us better serve our clientele. A current fad in […]
Evidence Management: The Consequences of Untested Sexual Assault Kits
Oct 01, 2015
The Importance of Evidence Management – Across our nation, sexual assaults lead to tragic and even deadly consequences. If the victim survives the attack, they are likely to live in fear while suffering mentally and physically. Sadly, victims and their families have one more outcome to fear, that the law enforcement investigation is not performed […]
Digital Evidence Management Software
Oct 01, 2015
In the world of evidence management, almost nothing can capture news headlines like a tragic interaction between a police officer and a member of the public. For far too many years, the outcome of the use of police force has been subject to a “he said, she said” debate. With the invention of high-quality, miniaturized […]
