DOMEX - Real-time Analytical Intelligence Database
(RAID)
NDIC created RAID to manage
large quantities of data gathered during
DOMEX operations. RAID is a relational
database used to record key pieces of
information and to quickly identify
links among people, places, businesses,
financial accounts, telephone numbers,
and other investigative information
examined by our analysts. The software
runs on any Windows operating system
(Windows 2000 or higher), in any mode
of operation (stand-alone or LAN). It
can be used to analyze any type of information
from any kind of investigation or as
a case management tool.
NDIC has enhanced RAID to meet the expanding
support requirements of the intelligence
and law enforcement communities. The
improved RAID can be used for both DOMEX
and investigative case intelligence
support. RAID also facilitates our capability
to conduct Cross-Case Analysis. Key
upgrade features include increased data
storage, scalability (small database
to very large, supporting a few users
to hundreds), more comprehensive and
efficient analytical tools, enhanced
multimedia capability, an import/export
wizard, dynamic additional data fields
(configurable by users), data access
security, easier combination/separation
of cases, and the ability to apply data
mining technologies across data sets.
The RAID application was created at NDIC
around 1995 using Microsoft Access and
has evolved into a robust tool capable
of exporting data into powerful commercially
available analytical software. It was
developed by analysts for analysts to
provide better intelligence and data
support in large investigations. The
software helps specialists catalog and
analyze valuable information gleaned
from seized evidence, Reports of Investigation,
and other intelligence sources. The
RAID application allows the creation
and linking of data in a distributed
environment. This means, records created
by an analyst are instantly available
to other analysts and updates are seen
in real-time. Data contained in RAID
can also be displayed visually using
commercially available analytical software
such as i2 Analyst’s Notebook and Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) such as ArcGIS.
RAID also readily imports and exports data
to and from other databases, computer
files, and multiple analytical tools.
This greatly assists us in capturing
data obtained through Media Exploitation.
We have expanded the multimedia capability
to capture all types of media and computer
files and link them to any records in
the database. Further, we are able to
hyperlink the extracted intelligence
back to a copy of the original or scanned
copy. Electronic media from computers
and other sources are typically exploited
and imported electronically into RAID
prior to DOMEX analysts working on an
investigation. That permits all of the
available evidence to be synthesized
and analyzed for the most comprehensive
examination of the data.
RAID is a multi-user Relational Database
Management System (RDBMS) used by NDIC
as well as other intelligence and law
enforcement agencies. In fact, more
than 4,000 copies of the application
have been distributed to agencies both
domestically and in some international
locations. The new version (RAID 3)
operates with Microsoft Database Engine
(MSDE) and Microsoft’s SQL Server platform.
This will ensure that we can provide
a copy our database to any agency we
support without requiring additional
software to operate.
RAID 3 has significant improvements to
its analysis functions including the
ability to perform cross case analysis.
The fact that the database is scalable
from a small database to a very large
database enables it to be queried across
multiple cases by any number of analytical
tools to enable our analysts to identify
commonalities among the records, within
a single database and across multiple
datasets. After the commonalities are
identified, the entity records can be
linked across multiple cases and saved
in the RAID data warehouse. This allows
us to build-on the connections and intelligence
developed from previous cross-case projects.
To meet the challenges of changing data
requirements we have created dynamic
functions within the database which
different users can configure to meet
their specific requirements. RAID 3
includes Customizable Fields which allow
users to easily add new data fields
for a specific project on all of the
main records without changing the database
code or affecting underlying data structure.
The new application still comes with
a set of standard reports, but users
will also be able to create, save, and
modify reports to meet their specific
requirements for any particular project.
RAID 3 also includes the ability to
set defaults. RAID 3 can also apply
the appropriate classification and caveat
labels and restrict access based on
user permissions. Other organizations
use RAID in different ways and may now
set up their own default values and
organizational settings. Lastly RAID
3 was designed to be internationalized
in several ways. Its code and database
objects are localized to allow the software
to be translated into other languages
efficiently.
NDIC offers the RAID 3 training free of cost (travel
costs and per diem are not included)
to law enforcement agencies. In this
5-day course, users will be trained
on the RAID software so that evidentiary
and investigatory information can be
effectively retrieved to assist organizations
with their investigations. No prior
experience with RAID 3 or any previous
versions of RAID are needed. For training
support, contact Ms. Cheryl Leleck,
Training Unit Supervisor, (814) 532-4940,
ndic.training@usdoj.gov.
Please send all requests for DOMEX support
as well as copies of RAID and/or HashKeeper
to:
National Drug Intelligence
Center
Document & Media Exploitation Branch
319 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Johnstown, PA 15901-1622
Telephone: (814) 532-4601
Fax: (814) 532-5854
E-mail:
ndic.domex.request@usdoj.gov
If you have any further
questions, please contact
Mr. Harry Kuerner, 814-532-4611.
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