Special investigations get technology boost

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is soon to begin using a video-conference system to link up with the Criminal Court to seek subpoenas and search warrants.

It is the first step in a DSI plan to make much wider use of information technology, particularly video-conference systems, in its investigative processes.

The director of the DSI's Bureau of Technology and Information Systems Centre Surasak Na Lampang said official use of the new system, using video-conference broadcasts, would begin next year.

He said the DSI's caseload had risen to the point where inspectors and investigators needed many more subpoenas [writs ordering people to appear in court] and search warrants, which needed court approval. The video-conference link between the DSI and the Criminal Court will save time and hasten the progress of special cases and investigations. 

However, the video-conference link with the Criminal Court is no more than a first step.

Later, a mobile video-conference system will be introduced which will enable direct links between the DSI's headquarters and crime scenes or the interrogation of witnesses.

Surasak said the video-conference system would provide live real-time broadcasts from crime scenes to the Criminal Court and the DSI. As an example, he mentioned cases of forest encroachment. The DSI now has responsibility for about 200 such cases.

The mobile video-conference system is expected to help the DSI save operational costs and reduce by more than 50 per cent the time taken to summarise cases.

Moreover, the DSI plans to establish a private network between government agencies, linking 11 databases of agencies such as the Criminal Court, the Royal Thai Police, the Interior Ministry and the Consular Affairs Department. This will be set up before the end of this year, giving the department instant access to information to assist its investigations.

The DSI will also create and develop its own database to gather information on such things as the colour of cars, fabric fibres and sizes of shoes.

"Information technology will help us investigate, analyse information and increase the productivity of our staff," Surasak said. "Accessing information from government agencies, instead of taking one month, will be achieved in one minute."

He said the department was also testing a management information system, which aimed to develop office automation, support the investigation process and list suspects in special cases. Investigators and department heads will be able to check the situation of special cases in real time via an online network.

"The DSI now is under acceptance testing of the management information system from a private company that has developed it. The company will later transfer knowledge and train our staff in use of the new system," Surasak said.

The system will involve a numbering arrangement for special cases that will enable examination of case histories back to their origins. The identity of inspectors responsible for various cases will be linked to the cases, giving them authority to access information or input new material. Inspectors will also be able to summarise special cases and the information will be accessible by DSI executives.

 "The management information system will not only make it easier to access information on special cases, but will also limit and control the authority of inspectors and DSI executive to access that information so it will be protected and details such as the issue of search warrants, arrest warrants, criminals or suspects and subpoenas in special cases will be kept confidential," Surasak said.