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BABCOCK UNIVERSITY
ILISHAN-REMO
OGUN STATE

PROJECT PROPOSAL SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
AWARD FOR
B.SC. COMPUTER SCIENCE
TITLE:
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A CRIME RECORDS MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM FOR THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE

SUBMITTED BY:
OLAORE OLUFUNMIKE A., 11/2219
SOWUNMI OLUWAWUNMI O., 11/2263
UGO-EZEABA ANITA A., 11/2271

SUBMITTED TO:
PROFESSOR OLUDELE AWODELE
DATE:
16
TH
APRIL 2014

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1.0 INTRODUCTION
No punishment has ever possessed enough power of deterrence to prevent the commission of
crimes. On the contrary, whatever the punishment, once a specific crime has appeared for the
first time, its reappearance is more likely than its initial emergence could ever have been.
(Arendt, 1906-1975).
Crime is an act or the commission of an act that is commanded by a public law and makes the
offender liable to punishment by that law (Merriam-Webster,2014).
The challenges to National security in Nigeria are enormous and as such are the issues of
religious crisis in some states of the northern Nigeria, ritual killings and kidnappings in some
states of the South east and south-south, sectarian clashes in some states of the south west,
bombings in Abuja and some states of the federation.
The above mentioned issues constitute a threat to national security, and if not curtailed, might
escalate to greater proportions that might plunge the country into confusion. To maintain
peace and harmony in the society, man has to fashion out some laws to govern the conduct of
members of the society. When people abide by these codes of conduct and laws, protection of
lives and properties are guaranteed.
A record is a specific piece of information produced or retrieved in the initiation, conduct or
completion of an institutional or individual activity. It comprises sufficient content, context
and structures to provide evidence of the activity. It is not ephemeral that is, it contains
information that is worthy of preservation in the short, medium, or long-term.
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The Nigeria Police is a National Institution designed in the best traditions of the public
service to serve the long term interests of Nigeria. It is Nigerias Principal Law Enforcement
Agency and an indispensable Organ of the Executive Arm of Government. The Nigerian

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(Public Records Office, International Council on Archives, Committee on Electronic Records, 1998).

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Police is by law charged with the responsibility of preventing and detecting crime, preserving
peace and order and enforcing all laws and regulations. A system of providing the Nigerian
Police with information regarding criminals and the various activities they had carried out in
the past, will go a long way in helping to checkmate criminals and their activities; and this
will also help in identifying new cases of crimes and criminals within a given area. A
Criminal Records Management System will assist the police with useful information that will
help in apprehending, prosecuting, and sanctioning criminals.
It has been acknowledged that the nearest we can get to the criminal happenings or events is
the record kept by the Police, of crimes reported to them (James, 2010).The use of computers
and other communication devices that will help in keeping track of criminals and the various
activities they engaged in, is currently very minimal.
The police keep their records on paper and this does not help their efficiency as it does not
provide accurate, reliable and comprehensive data round the clock. In recent times, with the
economic hardship the country is going through it is not uncommon for the police to
complain about lack of stationeries in cases which they may wish to record (Kawai &
Samson, 2011). The Crime Records Management System beats the method of paperwork
adopted here in Nigeria. On this platform, all records are computerized, thus eliminating loss
of data through rough handling by the Police Department, and this makes investigation of
future crimes relatively easier.
Police officers now have the ability to immediately generate crime report directly relevant to
the situation at hand rather than searching through numerous, dusty files. The CRMS will
enable the police to have accurate and sufficient statistics on information of a case; the year a
crime was committed, who investigated it and other related criminal information.

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The same information provides a powerful decision making tool for policemen, investigators,
database administrators, judges and fellow law enforcement agencies.
The advent of the background screening industry in Nigeria with companies like Background
Check International and Risk control has led to the performance of background checks for
civil purposes than for criminal investigations. Most Nigerian employers now request
criminal history information as part of the hiring process. For example Etisalat, First Bank,
AccessBank, Brunel Energy,Day Waterman College, Guinness, Lafarge, MTN Project Fame,
Glaxo Smith Kline and Exxon Mobil demand background checks on all or virtually all
applicants(Background Check International, 2014). Criminal background reports are only as
reliable as the underlying records from which they are drawn
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(Gaebler, 2013). And this only
emphasizes more on the need for an efficient, accurate, comprehensive and reliable Crime
Record Management System.

1.1 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
We want to design a system for the proper recording of criminal activities that will enable
storage, retrieval and security of criminal information within Nigeria.
The use of manual process using paper files in the documentation of criminal information by
the Nigerian Police Force has had a negative impact on the Nigerian population such as; a
drawback in policing, increased level of insecurity in the economy as a whole and so on due
to; delayed access to information, unavailability of information from former years resulting
from loss of criminal data, stolen or misplaced criminal case files, damaged case files either

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Criminal Records in the Digital Age:
A Review of Current Practices
and Recommendations for Reform in Texas, Pg. 14, Helen Gaebler, 2013. This document shows how
importanat it is to steer clear of having a criminal record as it restricts opportunities for a lot of things, and it
also suggests reforms on entry of such records, and dissemination of information to the public.

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by pest, water or fire outbreak. The first pieces of information in a criminal case file are
generated at the point of contact between a suspect and the police. Subsequent pieces of
information are then generated by other criminal justice agencies.
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(CRIMSYS, 2010)
Access to the criminal information is not well controlled and there is no clear security on
avoiding possible manipulation of information which results in possible alteration by
unauthorized users.
Retrieving information from this type of system can be cumbersome and time consuming
especially when searching for information from former years.
With the current situation, moral decadence is being promoted as it becomes highly difficult
if not impossible to track down criminals, access past criminal history of a suspect and solve
crime cases and if not addressed in the nearest future would have an appalling effect on the
Nigerian population, hence the need for a CRMS which will go a long way in aiding the
police in combatting crime in the country through easy access to criminal information for
referencing in solving crimes, proper storage of criminal information, and proper integration
of criminal information.
1.2 AIM AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of this project is to design and implement a crime records management system to
assist the Nigerian Police in storage and retrieval of information; the objectives are, to:
i. Design a user friendly interface for users such as policemen, investigators,
database administrators and judges.
ii. Have a database of every criminal information such as crime committed,
evidences and detectives in charge.

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Crime Justice Information Management System, 2010.

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iii. Building security and monitoring control to ensure only authorized personnel have
access to the criminal information.


1.3 METHODOLOGY OVERVIEW
The approach to design this system is the Structured System Design Methodology, since it is
an acceptable software engineering principle for the design of software. It consists of starting
with the final design or imagery of the proposed system and is gradually decomposed into
more and more detailed fragments, until it is finally understood.
The project will be carried out, following the basic stages involved in design and
implementation of criminal record management software. The stages are briefly discussed
below
Problem identification and specification: The problems associated with the criminal
record management system are first identified. This will be done by critically
analyzing the existing system and the intended system.
The data required for this system will be obtained by conducting interviews with law
enforcement agents, reviewing related works and journals and other sources of
information such as the internet.
Using relevant facts obtained from relevant sources such as journals and related
works, the spiral model of system design will be adopted in designing the CRMS.
The design will be implemented as a web program using tools such as the Oracle
SQL which is mandatory for the implementation of the database for criminal records;
also Hypertext mark-up language (HTML), JavaScript and Cascading Style Sheet

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(CSS) will be adopted for the design of an interactive user interface, the hypertext
mark-up language will also be adopted for the linking of web pages.
Password authentication and Biometrics machine such as the fingerprint scanner will
be applied, for the purpose of controlling access to the CRMS and also used to ensure
that individuals that commit crimes are captured with their unique identity.
After the development and implementation, the system will be tested to ensure that, it fulfills
the objective of the project. The CRMS software will be installed on the computer system for
use.

1.4 JUSTIFICATION AND SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
The software will improve the way records are maintained by the Police Force. It will:
1. Enhance proper and efficient management of criminal records by the Nigerian Police
Force.
2. Aid law enforcement agents, that is, the police officers, in their bid to solve crime
cases.
3. Reduce dependence on personnel in possession of case files.
4. Help background screening companies make recommendations easily of an applicant
without the stress of going to the police station and searching through files.
5. Help in making informed decisions in the case of criminal justice.

1.5 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
This project focuses on the development and implementation of a software based crime
records management system for the Nigerian Police Force. The organizations that will benefit

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from this are background screening companies and the Ministry of Justice. This system
supports the easy storage, fast and easy retrieval and accessibility, proper tracking and
enhanced security of criminal records and information. The CRMS also supports easy and
protected interchange of information between the involved parties using the specified level of
privileges.

1.6 CLOSELY RELATED WORKS
1.6.1 SNOOP STATION
This is a legitimate investigation site that lets you conduct personalized and real background
checks, free. All information on this site falls under public records and are legal to access by
US citizens. The site can be used to search for public records such as court records, sex
offender records, and civil property records. The database for records is manually updated
(snoopstation, 2014). Here the directories are built and maintained in a way that you can
simply enter your name, hit search and see any relevant records that match that query in a
matter of seconds. All felonies and misdemeanours are included in a criminal background
check. The records are organized by country and state. The snoop station provides users easy
access to public records, can be used to locate records of individuals and also perform
background checks on business and individual. The site provides users an easy to use
interface for accessing information in verification of facts, discovery of new information and
it creates a profile for a person using their background (snoopstation, 2014). It is not a
centralized engine and it takes time to perform an investigation but it does not cost anything.
Strength:
i. Free background checks on individuals.
ii. Information is from the best public record provider and easily accessible.

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Weaknesses:
i. It is not secure, as anyone can have access to public criminal information.
ii. It is not a centralized engine and it takes time to perform an investigation.


1.6.2 SUN RIDGE SYSTEMS INC
Sun ridge systems develop and market public safety software used by law enforcement
agencies. It is a computer-aided dispatch and records based system. Information provided at
any point of the suite is automatically immediately available throughout the entire product
suite. RIMS law enforcement management system provides an effective way to organize
track and access the vast information that flows through the police department. It comprises
of features such as:
Ease: It is powerful and easy. Its strength lies in how simple it is to use. The use of help
screens provides support to users as they navigate.
It provides information on: people; (which contains personal information about people as
well as a history of their contacts with your agency), aliases; (each person in RIMS can have
a number of aliases which can include names or monikers, social security number etc.),
warrants; (RIMS stores local warrants and warrants from other agencies, personal
information entered into warrants is also added to the person file), vehicles; (all vehicle
information collected is automatically entered in the database), property, case investigation
etc.
The RIMS simplifies records with its single point of entry, automatic dissipation of data to
wherever it is needed and close integration with dispatch operation.

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STRENGTH:
i. Quick and automatic dissipation of information to every part of the suite
ii. Provides an effective way to organize, track and access the vast information
that flows through the police department

WEAKNESS:
i. It does not allow entry via different entry point

1.6.3 NATIONAL CRIME INFORMATION CENTRE (NCIC)
The NCIC database was created under the FBI director, J. Edgar Hoover, of the United States
of America in 1967(NCIC, 2008). This database held a centralized information system that
eased information flow between numerous law enforcement branches. NCIC is a
computerized database of documented criminal justice information available to virtually
every law enforcement agency nationwide (NCIC-FBI, 2008). The goal here is to assist law
enforcement in apprehending fugitives, locating stolen property, locating missing persons and
further protecting law enforcement personnel and the public.
It consists of eighteen files of which there are seven property files and eleven person files.
The database contains images that can be associated with NCIC records to assist agencies in
identifying people and property items (NCIC-FBI, 2008). The information passing through
the network is encrypted to prevent unauthorized access. Each user of the system is
authenticated to ensure proper levels of access for every transaction. To enable a requiring
officer to access information about something the inquiring agency needs to contact with the
entering agency to verify the information is accurate and up-to-date.

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STRENGTHS:
i. It is secure as information passing through the network is encrypted to prevent
unauthorized access.
ii. It contains images which can be used as a cross reference in solving crimes


WEAKNESS:
i. NCIC is extremely vulnerable to misuse, particularly by individuals with
authorized access, due to its organizational structure and control weaknesses in
some state systems that access NCIC. (Office, 1993)
ii. The NCIC security policy is too broad, contains minimum requirements, and does
not require specific access controls. (Office, 1993)

1.6.4 CANADIAN CRIMINAL REAL TIME IDENTIFICATION SERVICES
(CCRTIS)
CCRTIS established 2012, contains the national repository of fingerprint and criminal record
and is mandated to provide direct operational support to the Canadian law enforcement,
criminal justice and public security communities as well as international partners such as FBI
and Interpol (CCRTIS, 2012).
STRENGTHS:
The biometric data management: maintains the national fingerprint repository for authorized
law enforcement agency.

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Latent operations: it provides verification of fingerprints taken from crime scenes to support
police activities of law enforcement.
Canadian police services information centre: provides criminal records and identification
services to all system users, including Interpol.
Criminal record analysis services (CRAS): It responds to request for assistance in
determining Criminal record information by law enforcement agencies and the court.
(CCRTIS, 2012)
Others include; automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS).
WEAKNESS:
i. The RCMPs Forensic Laboratory Services does not meet turnaround targets in
the delivery of its services and clients lack the opportunity to influence operations.
ii. A backlog remains in updating individuals criminal record information.

1.6.5 EUROPEAN CRIME RECORDS INFORMATION SYSTEM (ECRIS)
In Europe, criminals were able to move between European countries, but with the advent of
the European Crime Records Information System, ECRIS, in 2012, there is, in existence, a
computerized system which is set to achieve an efficient exchange of information on criminal
convictions between EU countries (ECRIS, 2012). It is based on a decentralized IT
architecture, i.e. the criminal records data is stored in national databases and released to other
EU countries upon request (ECRIS, 2012). The inspiration of this system was the Network
of Judicial Registers, a pilot project which involved eleven EU countries namely Belgium,
Czech Republic, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland,
Slovakia and the United Kingdom. This pilot project is now phasing out.

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STRENGHTS:
i. The Commission has put special software called 'reference implementation' at
their disposal to facilitate the interconnection among EU countries.
ii. The transmission of information on convictions is made electronically, through a
standardized European format, using two reference tables listing categories of
offences and penalties which facilitate automatic translation and enhance mutual
understanding of the information transmitted.
iii. It controls access as EU countries have to indicate appropriate codes for the
category of the offence and the penalty or sanction, which is automatically
translated into the language of the recipients, enabling them to react immediately
upon receipt of the information.
WEAKNESS:
i. Since ECRIS concerns only EU nationals, it is currently not possible to determine
whether third country nationals were previously convicted in other EU countries
without consulting all of them.

1.6.6 COMPUTERIZED CRIME TRACKING INFORMATION SYSTEM
Author: Aniekwe Vivian, August 2012
This project was aimed at developing a computerized method of tracking criminals. The
model used was not specified. The project consisted of the database of criminals and Enugu
State was used as the case study.
Strengths:

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i. Gives room for updating, querying and deleting of information
ii. The database is linked from the police headquarters to the local police stations, so
the circulation of information will be easier.
Weaknesses:
i. There is no limitation of accessibility, so the documents are open for anyone to
view and make changes as felt.
ii. There is no means of cross checking to ensure that data is not duplicated.
iii. Keeps record of criminals from the time of arrest to the point the suspect appears
before the court.
1.6.7 POLICE AND LAW RECORD SYSTEMS
Manufacturer: Spillman technologies
Spillman technologies Inc, a solutions company which has been in existence for thirty years
and counting is aimed at providing law enforcement and public safety software for police
departments, correctional facilities, fire departments and communications centres. One of
such softwares, Law Records, helps users to polarize incident records to one database and
generate reports too.
Strengths:
i. Paperless police records management: files are stored electronically, and images
and sound waves can be attached, thus keeping everything in one place.
ii. Dissemination of information is properly tracked.
iii. Automated workflow approvals.
iv. Efficient reporting
v. Quick searching

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vi. Data integrity: prevents duplication of data.
Weaknesses:
i. There is no mention of accessibility of information with its priviledges.
ii. There is no mentioned method of cross checking databases

1.6.8. LAW ENFORCEMENT RECORDS MANAGEMENT
MANUFACTURER: INTERGRAPH
Intergraph is a company that provides engineering software for users to view complex data.
Its law enforcement records system enables the easy sharing of law records. It empowers
users with the ability to make on-the-site database querying and creating.
Strengths:
i. Intuitive user interface
ii. Remote content management
iii. Easy viewing access and advanced searches
Weaknesses:
i. There is no mentioned platform for cross referencing
ii. There is no mentioned platform for proper collection of data, e.g. attachment of
images and sound waves.




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COMMENT
Reviewing the aforementioned works it is clear that even though many of the already existing
related works have their strengths, they still have their short comings. Some of the strengths
seen are;
- Enabling updates, querying and deleting of information
- The database is linked from the police headquarters to the local police stations, so the
circulation of information will be easier.
- Keeps record of criminals from the time of arrest to the point the suspect appears before
the court.
The systems also have some shortcomings such as;
- There is no limitation of accessibility, so the documents are open for anyone to view and
make changes.
- There is no means of cross checking to ensure that data is not duplicated (apart from
spillman technologies)
- It does not allow entry via different entry point.
The CRMS for the NPF will implement some of the characteristics of these systems as
well as improve on the weaknesses noticed as follows:
It would regulate the access to these records to prevent just anyone from accessing
public criminal records by ensuring that only background screening companies
perform criminal record checks both for individuals and organizations.
Authorized users would be able to access criminal records using different search
parameters instead of just one way of entry.
The system would make sure that suspects records are kept different from criminal
records as not all suspects end up as the criminal.

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It would provide a central repository of records for different law enforcement
agencies.
The CRMS would not only keep records of suspects and criminals but keep records of
case files within the agencies, ministry of justice and the court.

1.7 EXPECTED CONTRIBUTIONS TO KNOWLEDGE
The CRMS for the NPF will consist of features such as:
Biometric: this will serve as a means of authenticating policemen, administrators and so on
and it will also serve as a record data for the criminal.
Interoperability: the record will be dissipated to other local police stations from the
headquarters. It will also enable authenticated users to access records concurrently.
Retrieval: the system will make use of appropriate retrieval techniques in retrieving
information from the database.

1.8 PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The project is organized as follows;-
Chapter one introduces the project, the objectives of the project, its significance, scope, and
constraints are pointed out. This is to be completed between March and April.
A brief history of the Nigerian police and review of literature on Crime Records Management
System are subject matter of Chapter two. To be carried out between April and May.
Chapter three discusses system Analysis and design. It deals with detailed investigation and
analysis of the existing system and problem identification. This will last from May to June.

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Chapter four covers the system implementation, testing and integration. This would be done
from June to August.
Chapter five was the summary of findings, limitations of the project, recommendations, bill
of engineering measurement and evaluation, conclusion, bibliography and Appendix of the
project. This would be finished between August and September.
















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