Justice Management Division Serving Justice - Securing Results
TITLE:
Consolidated Asset Tracking System
ACRONYM:
CATS
ORIGINATOR:
Asset Forfeiture Management Staff
Background:
The Department of Justice (DOJ) Consolidated Asset Tracking System
(CATS) is managed by the Asset Forfeiture Management Staff (AFMS).
One of the many tasks for AFMS involves the development, maintenance
and oversight of the DOJ Asset Forfeiture Program's property management
information system. The system is designed to track, throughout
the forfeiture life-cycle, assets seized by federal law enforcement
agencies. Seizure and forfeiture sanctions are governed by numerous
statutes and regulations within the United States Code, and are
initiated against property that was either used in commission of
a crime or was purchased with proceeds from criminal activity.
During the 1980s,
federal law enforcement agencies developed and maintained separate information
systems to support their respective Asset Forfeiture Program activities. Each
system resided on different hardware and software platforms that had no ability
to share information.
In October 1989,
the Executive Office of Asset Forfeiture (EOAF) was created. EOAF
was directed by the Attorney General to explore the feasibility
of a single system solution for the management and tracking of seized
assets that would allow the sharing of information with the entire
Asset Forfeiture Program community. A Requirements Analysis and
Feasibility study was commissioned under the management of the Justice
Management Division. The study focused on the agencies current and
projected requirements, and interagency and management requirements
at all levels. The results of the study were briefed to the Deputy
Attorney General and to senior managers of all of the participating
agencies. In 1990, the development of a single, integrated, asset
forfeiture system was charted. This system was later named the Consolidated
Asset Tracking System (CATS).
In
1993 the implementation and build-out of CATS was initiated. CATS
supports the day-to-day operations for seized and forfeited assets
for the following agencies:
Asset Forfeiture Management Staff, DOJ
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, DOJ
Criminal Division, DOJ
Drug Enforcement Administration, DOJ
Federal Bureau of Investigation, DOJ
US Attorneys Office, DOJ
US Marshals Service, DOJ
Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service
Food and Drug Administration
US Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General
US Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security
US Postal Inspection Service
CATS provides a
consolidated asset forfeiture database for both Administrative and Judicial cases
to track information and support operations in all of the asset forfeiture program
business functions, including Seizure, Custody, Notification, Forfeiture, Claims,
Petitions, Equitable Sharing, Official Use, and Disposal. When CATS became fully
operational, it replaced several asset forfeiture computer systems that were previously
maintained by participating agencies. CATS was designed to support the operational
needs for forfeiture processing at the field office level and to improve the routine
work flow of the asset forfeiture program. When an asset is entered into CATS,
a standard identifier is applied to the asset. This standard identifier is used
in all instances, and can be used by any of the participating agencies who wish
to obtain the current status and processing details of any asset, regardless of
the agency who initially entered the information into the system. The entire life-cycle
of an asset is available through the viewing of several query screens. Electronic
Mail and Document Generating Software has been integrated into CATS to simplify
correspondence and communications between participating agencies.
Goals:
The primary goals of CATS are to:
- Provide
a national, centralized asset forfeiture database to replace individual
agency asset forfeiture systems.
- Support
and improve the processing of seized assets by reducing duplicate
work efforts and automating administrative tasks.
- Improve
communications between agency offices.
- Improve
communications with other participating Federal agencies.
- Improve
reporting accuracy to support all levels of management.
- Ensure
the consistency and accuracy of the CATS database (DQT).
A recent audit
by the Inspector General of the Department of Justice found that CATS has met
its system objective set forth in the project charter and has met the requirements
for CATS functionality, rules and edits, and protocols for access to CATS information.
ACCESS CONSTRAINTS:
Access to the information is limited to the participants.
USE CONSTRAINTS: The information is for official use only.
AGENCY PROGRAM: CATS supports the Department's asset forfeiture program.
SOURCES OF DATA: The participating agencies are responsible for their own
data.
OFFICE OF CONTACT
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Requests for information should be submitted in writing
to (http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/04_4.html)
Department/Agency Name: U.S. Department of Justice
Major Organization Subdivision: Justice Management Division
Minor Organization Subdivision: Executive Secretariat
Street Address: 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Room 1110
City: Washington
State: D.C.
Zip Code: 20530-0001
Country: United States
Hours of Service:
Telephone: (202) 514-3123
DATE OF LAST MODIFICATION: 08/19/03
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