AFIS solves 1994 Alabama murder case
The Florence (Alabama) Police Department recently received notification of a fingerprint match from the FBI database on a 1994 murder case in which a man was stabbed and strangled in his house. The man identified by the FBI has been in a Tennessee correctional facility since March 2000 on a forgery charge. A Florence Police officer submitted the crime scene prints while attending an FBI AFIS training session, and was pulled out of class to get the near instant results.
Source: "Tennessee inmate charged in 1994 Florence slaying;" The Associated Press State & Local Wire, 6 March 2003
Michigan trains first responders
Michigan’s Hazardous Materials Center has trained more than 6,000 police, firefighters, volunteers and emergency specialists to form 21 specialized teams to respond to chemical, biological and nuclear attacks. These include a Michigan National Guard unit, 15 Regional Response Teams made up of police and HAZMAT first responders, and a volunteer group that specializes in rescuing people from collapsed buildings. Counties and cities across the state have also purchased anti-terror equipment, trained first responders and formed mutual aid pacts to help each other.
Source: "Mich. primed to respond to terror attack" by Mark Hornbeck and Mike Martindale; The Detroit (MI) News, 3 March 2003: 1A
Indiana's homeland security plan
On March 5, 2003, Indiana’s Counter-Terrorism and Security Council (C-TASC) released "Indiana's Strategy for Homeland Security," a 51 page document that mirrors the National Strategy for Homeland Security. The state plan was prepared using input from public safety agencies across the state. Among the plan’s recommendations is the creation of a statewide emergency communications system, which would cost around $80 million. The press release announcing the plan can be read at: http://www.state.in.us/lgov/news/2003/030503.html
Source: "Kernan Unveils Indiana's Strategy for Homeland Security;" Lt. Gov. Joseph E. Kernan press release, 5 March 2003
Wisconsin RCIS receives grant
U.S. Rep. Dave Obey, D-Wausau, recently helped secure $150,000 in federal funds to upgrade and expand Wisconsin’s Regional Crime Information System (RCIS) database . Completed in August 2000, RCIS enables 11 county sheriff departments, two regional drug/gang task force groups and numerous police departments across northwestern Wisconsin to share real time data via the Internet.
Source: "$150,000 to upgrade crime database;" Wausau (WI) Daily Herald, 23 February 2003: 3A
Florida's homeland security activities
Florida has created seven regional task forces to better coordinate its homeland security efforts, and has developed a Domestic Security Information System to collect intelligence, integrate and analyze data, and share information among those task forces. State officials need to protect a dozen theme parks, other major tourist attractions and 1,350 miles of coastline. For more information on Florida homeland security activities, go to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement domestic security Web page: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/osi/DomesticSecurity/
Source: "Florida a model for homeland" by Judi Hasson; Federal Computer Week, 5 March 2003
Advancing justice through DNA technology
On March 11, the Bush administration announced a new state and local funding initiative to increase the size of the national DNA database and increase crime solving. "Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology" is funded at $232.6 million in the Bush FY04 budget, and would receive similar funding for five years. The database now has nearly 1.3 million entries, and through 2002 has provided hits on 6,454 criminal investigations. The new funding would go toward lab equipment, training, and expanded testing of evidence from unsolved cases. Additional information on the initiative can be found at: "http://www.usdoj.gov/ag/speeches/2003/031102dnaremarks.htm
Source: "Bush to boost criminal DNA tests" by Richard Willing; USA Today, 11 March 2003: 1A
