Chain-computerisation in practice: the criminal justice chain

Abstract

This article is available in English and DutchCriminal law enforcement can be seen as both a chain and a network. The ‘chain’ concept is the guiding principle for the design of the information-architecture and the computerisation of the chain. Originally, the dominant chain problem was the ability to administer the correct sanction (punishment or action) to a person (perpetrator). Since 2005, a new perspective has been added to this: the accurate and reliable identification of suspects and convicted persons, because it is essential to administer the sanction to the right person. The administration of the right sanction requires full and adequate information about the suspect. Much of this information is already available within the organisations that together form the criminal justice system. However, the information must be made available -- quickly and easily -- to those who need it. This information is designated as "the comprehensive (criminal) picture of the person'. Imposing the penalty to the right person also demands a watertight system for establishing the correct identity of suspects and convicted persons throughout the entire chain of criminal justice, preventing the use of aliases to get rid of a sanction or a reputation. This information is designated as a person’s ‘correct (criminal) picture of the person’. The theory of Chain-computerisation offers us the necessary concepts and insights for the design of the requisite information architecture for achieving both these profiles. This article deals primarily with the latter: the correct (criminal) picture of the person’