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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