6/12 in our series on police MISPER searches.
To date we have focused on the new digital capabilities and time-saving and risk-reduction benefits Search-PRAS software brings to search operations. But what of a police force’s existing assets? How do they fit in with this advanced, digitally integrated approach to missing search searches?
Many police forces have significant geospatial assets. And all will have some form of mapping solution as part of their CAD/Operations Centre systems.
Many forces will also have geospatial analysts supporting their investigations, geospatial datasets covering their area of operation, and information streams from systems such as ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition). Increasingly, they will also have 3D models of significant locations and crime scenes, and for specific search cases, may have mobile phone records and financial transaction records.
Now imagine if all of those assets—not just geospatial but other data, too—were available within a single visualisation framework to help quickly build the optimum search plan. Well, with Search-PRAS they are.
Specialised search software with full integration
As readers will have learned from previous articles in this series, Search-PRAS is a specialised mapping and planning tool for critical search operations. So how does it fit into your existing landscape?
First it should be stated that Search-PRAS (which itself comprises 2D and 3D mapping, geospatial assets, visualisation, data sets and procedural structure in one integrated solution) is capable of fully standalone operation—because it has to in order to support operation in the field.
But the Search-PRAS software can also access other geospatial and data assets within a force and generate outputs that can be utilised within other tools and systems.
So, yes, Search-PRAS can easily integrate into your wider mapping, geospatial and data environment. Just as importantly, it contributes its own specialist value-added capabilities and results.
Easy integration, significant value-add
Here are just some examples of what Search-PRAS can integrate with and add to existing geospatial and digital assets used by police forces in their missing person search operations:
- Search-PRAS can import or access through networked APIs map layers made available through standards-based formats and interfaces.
- Search-PRAS can export analysis results in standard geospatial formats.
- Search-PRAS can integrate with situation awareness end-user devices such as the Airbox MOSAIC system to make map-based visualisations available to frontline users.
- Search-PRAS has the capability to export to other systems, including ACANS (Aviation Command and Aircraft Navigation System) as used by NPAS (National Police Air Service).
The best of the best
Indeed, Search-PRAS is all about integration and coordination. It’s a solution that brings together the best of the best: to make missing person search operations faster and more efficient; to reduce the risk of the missing person coming to harm or not being found until it’s too late; and to replace slow, manual methods for planning and co-ordinating search areas, resources and tasks.
See how it works for yourself
Call +44 (0)1794 834750 or email enquiries@cunningrunning.co.uk now to arrange a Search-PRAS demo via a Teams call with one of our search software specialists.
Stay on top of the developing search story…
The above article is one of an extended series of articles on search challenges and issues for police forces.
To receive notification when each article goes live, please follow the Cunning Running company page on LinkedIn, or the LinkedIn pages of Stephen Mallon or Phil Cowell.
Previous articles in this missing persons search series:
Missing persons search in the digital age: ready for your ‘Eureka moment’?
Article 1:
Ensure the excellence of your force’s search capability
Article 2:
Rapidly plan optimised searches in the office, then execute with maximum efficiency in the field
Article 3:
Compress critical timelines in missing person search operations
Article 4:
Focus use of resources on priority locations in missing person search operations
Article 5:
Audit of decision rationale in missing person searches—why it’s critical for all stakeholders
