Design And Implementation Of A Case Filling System For A Drug Monitoring Agency

INTRODUCTION
Information Technology (IT) has set a new world order turning the world into a global village, where information plays an indispensable role.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is an agency whose responsibility is to detect and arrest drug addicts and traffickers for necessary prosecution according to the law. If we should go by this maxim, it buttresses the need at which classified information is to this outfit.
Over the years, this outfit had made tremendous impact in combating drug related crimes, but in recent times, there has been an avalanche of drug trafficking and usage in the country leading to insecurity of life and properties close investigation concerning crime activities reveals that most offenders were under the influence of drugs hence the importance of this Agency and the upgrading of their obsolete equipment to meet with the international standard.
Despite the glint strides taken by this outfit over the years changing their investigation and recording equipment to tape storage using cassette as recorder, there are still a lot of surmountable problems which has hitherto, reduced the efficiency of the outfit through out Nigeria. The panacea to this may no doubt; lie in the introduction of a properly designed case filling system which will bring the much-desired automation hence, a prerequisite for being a member of the new world order vis-à-vis information technology.

1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is a drug prevention and intelligence network which is solely based on information. This information received from conducted investigation, which should be supplied to the Agency within minutes using electron communication. But this takes days or weeks and sometimes months if the investigation is carried in a distant area. The storage medium currently at disposal for information is susceptible to unauthorized access and damage. Most often, the recorded information is usually not within the reach when needed. Going by this high level of graft in the country, officers can easily remove: recorded information of a very serious crime activity by mere bribe offer. In view of the above problems which have attracted the author’s attention, he has unequivocally, decided to design a computer base case filling system which will correct this abnormalities.

1.2 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
Having been aware of the numerous anomalies which have reduced the efficiency of The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) the purpose of this research is focused on designing and developing a computerized based case filling system.

1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aims and objectives of the research work centers on the following:-
– To show case the merits of a computerized system in The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
– To upgrade the information network system of the Nigeria Agency.
– To enhance speedy and reliable information retrieval in drug crime case records.
– To identify areas where computers can be used in detective work.
– To investigate the possibilities of using the computer to analyse and compare substance taken from the scene of crime.
– To establish the possibilities of using the computer in crime mapping – A situation where data concerning crimes that have been committed in a certain area is fed into a computer and then, the computer produces a map that shows whether it is any pattern to the crime.

1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This research work is limited to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Area office Enugu. The choice of Area Office was due to proximity reason. However, it is instructive to note that the system of operation in Enugu is the same throughout the entire nation.

1.4 LIMITATION
Investigation for facts about this research work was fraught with the following constraints.
Issue of confidentiality:
This work is a dicey one that concentrates on issues considered confidential. The outfit chosen for investigation could not disclose or rather give access easily to the relevant information. Investigation and intelligence needs high level of secrecy. Sequel to the approval for data collection comes after services of consultation with important personnel of the Agency.
TIME:
Time factor is another major constraint, which unequivocally did force me to limit the scope of the work. The time stipulated for actual completion of this work is rather too short to cover all relevant sections of the Agency. Also, the researcher had to spend some time before approval was given for file accessibility.
FINANCE
Intended to make comprehensive excerpts from some foreign journals on issues bothering on Drug addicts and trafficking investigation and intelligence network but due to financial constraint, I could only limit myself to a few within my reach. Also, the cost of shuttling to the Agency’s office also constituted a big source of financial stress.

1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Information: This is a meaningful processed data, which provides an individual knowledge needful in decision making.
DATA: It is a collection of raw facts, figured charts or symbols that represent idea, object or situation which need to processed to given a real meaning program: a set of instruction logically sequenced that instructs the computer on what actions to take to arrive at a result.
INVESTIGATION: It is simply a fact finding and fact recording concerning a particular issue or event. It can be obtained through interview, question and observation.
CASE-FILE: This is a paper file used in keeping records on case matters.
FILE: A collection of records that are related, to which the user can attach a name.
INTELLIGENT REPORT: It is a report written and recorded about a witnessed event which can serve as evidence.
EVIDENCE: Material or information on which a conclusion or proof may be based.
SURVEILLANCE: An operation carried out by operatives in a remote area in the city or an area.
OPERATIVES: Officers of federal investigation and intelligence Bureau.
TIP-OFF: Useful hint conveyed to the special outfit by some one
SUSPECT: Someone presumed guilty of discredit with out conclusive proof.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: It is the technology which supports activities involving the creation, storage, manipulation and communication of information together with their related methods, management and application.
Management information system: the combination of human and computer based resources that result in the collection storage, retrieval, communication and use of data for the purpose of efficient management of operations and for business planning.
Data Bank (information Service): electronic shore-house of information accessed by using a microcomputer, modem and telephone.
Download: To transfer information electronically from a databank or a computer to another computer.
Expert system: computer system characterize by a very large database, the ability to ask question, and set of rules that allow it to use its data to arrive at conclusion.
COMPUTER: It is an electromechanical device capable of generating, storing and retrieving information at a fantastic speed and accuracy.