Software Implementation of an Online Crime Reporting System

1.1 Introduction

A computerized crime record system can generally decide on the next step to be taken in a problem solving issue. Traditionally, computer software has used an algorithmic or procedural approach to problem solving in other words it sued a rigid step-by-step approach. But to be able to function correctly, of all the possible combinations of input and data values have to be including in the program. This manually manipulation of case in state CID (i.e. Enugu state CID headquarters) involve two levels, the data and the code or control. But this approach is that complex task require complex codes, and to aid new information.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

The quest to control crime and breakdown of law and order increases has the society grows and diversity of human intentions and interactions abound. An ideal society is governed by laws and regulations that are collectively agreed upon and measurable consequences that will be meted out for any member of the society that is found culpable to have floated any specific component of the legal infrastructure. Besides the legal infrastructure in a society are the security apparatuses that enforce the law with the interest to maintain law and order. The legal infrastructures determine the extent to which law enforcement agents can act or protect the common interests of individuals in the society. It also outlines the civic responsibilities and human rights for the members of the society. Customarily, members of the society are supposed to report any incidence of breakdown of law and order to the appropriate civil and military security apparatuses. Reported cases are also supposed to be intelligently collected, evaluated and investigated to a more conclusive and justifiable end. Evidences are collected, protected and properly examined before accused persons are charged to Law court and fairly prosecuted. Investigations are carried out without fear or favour. In fact, any attempt to prevent due process during crime investigation is in itself a crime and it is also punishable under the law.

Until recently, the process of reporting and investigating crimes in the society has been mainly manual. Individuals who have some complaints will work into any offices of the security agents (e.g. Police, neighborhood corps) to inform and write in statement issues that may need their attention. At these offices, the security agents will raise an incidence form and ask the reporter to fill some appropriate segments. The security agents will also ask some intelligent questions from the reporter and make notes of preliminary investigations. Evidences suggested will be noted and further investigations will be followed up and new evidences will be collected, evaluated and protected.

The advent of technology has opened new fronts of opportunities of leveraging on the diverse benefits of information technology to crime reporting. There are various technology platforms that have been developed to assist how crime incidences are reported, responded to and investigated. The technological applications have gone from telegraph, special radio communication, and dedicated phone lines to a more responsive and more pervasive technological application platforms (web and mobile software applications). Majority of the members of the society nowadays have mobile devices that can easily access the internet. This makes the web approach the most economical and open approach for reporting crime with a far reaching benefits and coverage. Although there are several efforts that have been made in this area around the world, there is still no popular and responsive platform for reporting crime in Nigeria. The few available platforms in Nigeria (e.g. Amebo, Linda Ikeji) are blogs and are not ultimately serving the goal of properly reporting, evaluating and investigating various crimes in Nigeria. A close thing to it is the respective platforms sponsored by Economic Financial Crime

Commission (EFFC) and Investigation of Crime and Corrupt practices (ICPC); they provide avenues to report crime incidences but investigation and response are towards financial crimes.

This platform does not include murder, battery or harassment incidences which are commonly reported at the local Police station than financial crimes reported at EFFC and ICPC combined.

These institutions and their respective platforms are specialized in the area of financial crime and their activities are so secretive that processes and progress of investigations are not shared with other security agencies and the members of the public.

The available platforms are far below how technology could be harnessed to report crimes. The platforms are not popular and not very intuitive to use by common citizens. The platforms are unidirectional in the sense they do not have feedback for the members of the society. All these gaps have necessitated our interests for an ideal application that will address the limitations. We are looking forward to developing an all-encompassing web platform that reports all manners of crimes, open to all members of the public, suggestive (search for entities), interpretative and enlightening. The platform will provide a platform for various security agencies to share and gather evidences and mobilize members of the public for certain interests that will drive better policing, crime prevention and investigation.

We hope this project will address the gaps identified in the information space of crime reporting and investigation in Nigeria.

1.3 Statement of Problem

The notable crime reporting platforms are lopsided and not intuitive. The process of reporting crimes to security agencies still remain very difficult. The platforms are also unidirectional in the sense that they do not have feedbacks for the members of the society. The existing platforms do not support sharing of relevant information with other security agencies, thereby because owners of these platforms wants to take all the praise; while in actual fact security is being reinforced when meaningful and relevant information is shared among security stakeholders towards offering an excellent service. All these make our justice system questionable and irresponsible. We propose an all-encompassing platform that will practically address ego issues among security agencies, give feedbacks and strengthen the overall security service and existing security apparatuses.

1.4 Aims and Objectives of Study

To develop a web application that demonstrates that the process of reporting, evaluating and investigating crimes in Nigeria should not be tortuous and that the model can be adopted for designing newer crime reporting platforms.

Our objective is to propose a system that caters for reporting all kinds of crimes, gives feedback and sustain the process of crime investigation and correction.

1.5 Significance of Study

This project on computerized crime record system is developed to carryout tedious work and activities performed by human beings, in which they end up misplacing and discarding some important files and case records. But if this (computerized crime record) is installed it will render remedy to this case.

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.6 Scope of Study

The study focuses on the Design and Implementation of an Online Crime Reporting System using State C.I.D. Headquarters Enugu as a case study. The research work is limited to the same of crime record by Enugu State CID. And this crime includes: rape, arson, fire-outbreak, murder, stealing, and armed robbery.

1.7 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
3. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
4. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
5. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).

1.8 Definition of Terms

• Administration: An administration is the act of giving a drug to somebody or a patient.(for example the administration of antibiotics)
• Information: Am information is used to tell someone that they are wrong about something.
• Dosage: This is an amount of drug taken regularly over a particular period of time.
• Computerized – equipping something with or the usage of and associated automation by computers and software.
• Operation – an act or instance, process, or manner of functioning or operating.
• Manually- by hand rather than automatically or electronically.
• Records - to set down in writing or keep evidence of something.
• Online: connected to, served by, or available through a system and especially a computer or telecommunications system (such as the Internet)