12 July 1997
Source:
http://www.nttc.edu/law/projects.html
From Office of Law Enforcement
Technology Commercialization (OLETC)
OLETC Programs and Projects
The Retractable Spike Barrier Strip (RSBS) is a device intended
to be carried in police cars, deployed in front of a fleeing vehicle by a
single officer, and actuated remotely to reduce risk of injury to the police
officer deploying it. The device uses hollow spikes which are retracted for
normal traffic, then raised when the target vehicle approaches. The spikes
embed themselves in the tires and allow air to escape slowly so that the
vehicle can be kept under control, yet is disabled in a short distance.
OLETC, in concert with the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory
(INEL), is currently working with PMG Manufacturing Group, Inc. (PMG) in
a project to develop and commercialize the Retractable Spike Barrier Strip
(RSBS). The first phase of this effort involved a technical assessment of
the INEL invention and a market assessment. it is expected a development
phase will lead to the design of a pre-production prototype which can undergo
developmental testing and evaluation prior to a production decision. Once
this development and testing are completed a second design review will be
held, tentatively in February 1997, to make the production decision. If all
is successful, the RSBS first articles should be available in the late Spring
of 1997.
For Additional Information, Contact: Jerry Bortman 304-243-2530
or e-mail: jbortman@nttc.edu.
OLETC is seeking a licensing partner or a team of companies to
develop and commercialize the Rear Seat Air Bag (RSAB) Restraint System.
The system is a restraining device designed to be mounted in a police cruiser
and deployed by the driver to restrain suspects in custody being transport
when they become violent or attempt to escape. This device is not a safety
air bag and differs considerably in design and requirements. This innovation
is in the technical feasibility phase. An engineering mockup/prototype has
been built and safety tested by Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL).
A patent has been issued. Companies are being contacted regarding a partnership
for developing and manufacturing the product.
For Additional Information, Contact: Jim Ball 703-866-4740 or e-mail:
jball@erols.com
Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL), with NIJ funding,
has developed a prototype of a Concealed Weapons Detection System (CWDS)
using off-the-shelf hand-held Magnetic Detectors. The system integrates 10
unmodified detector devices and presents a visual line element pictorial
of the two sensor arrays on each side of the doorway. The system is baselined
to room environment magnetic signature then displays a perturbed signature
when challenged by a mass of magnetic material, and is especially sensitive
to detection of weapons of even modest size, providing an approximate location
with respect to height and left or right side of the subject passing through
the system. OLETC is attempting to accelerate the licensing and development
of the CWDS by finding a partner or licensee for the technology. The INEL
system is one of seven different new technology-based CWDS under development
by NIJ and DARPA. OLETC is determining the best approach for commercializing
this system in concert with INEL. There may be a case for integrating several
of the CWDS designs into a unit that accomplishes the task in a more
comprehensive manner.
For Additional Information, Contact: Jerry Bortman 304-243-2530
or e-mail: jbortman@nttc.edu.
OLETC, in conjunction with the Office of Law Enforcement Standards
(OLES), and the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center
(NLECTC) has formed a protective gloves team. The team is addressing the
Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Advisory Council s (LECTAC) expressed
need for three general levels of gloves to include a basic health protective
glove, a cut-resistant glove and a puncture- resistant glove. Law Enforcement
and Corrections Organizations inputs on requirements and Industry comments
are being requested. The team is currently investigating the performance
of current gloves on the market, and developing a test procedure for evaluating
protective gloves, both pathogen and cut/puncture resistant, for use by the
law enforcement, corrections and forensics communities. A questionaire is
available on-line for interested departments to provide input.
For Additional Information, Contact: Jim Ball 703-866-4740 or e-mail:
jball@erols.com
A Smart Gun is a firearm that "recognizes" the user and can only
be fired by an authorized user.
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) has conducted an investigation
into a variety of sensors that in principle have the ability to be useful
in a smart gun, specifically a handgun suitable for use by law enforcement
officers. Technologies that were examined include surface acoustic wave tagging,
passive Radio Frequency (RF) coding, touch memory, magnetic encoding, capacitive
sensors/encoding, and remote RF disablement. Sandia is seeking companies
interested in partnering on their smart gun development efforts.
Colt's Manufacturing Company has developed a smart gun prototype
based on their latest police handgun design. OLETC has assisted Colt's in
finding a partner to design and manufacture the RF link for the design.
For Additional Information, Contact: Jim Ball 703-866-4740 or e-mail:
jball@erols.com
The "Trackable Holster", also referred to as the "Smart Holster"
is a patented system which communicates the status of a firearm user when
the firearm is removed from the holster. The users location is determined
by using global positioning system (GPS) technology and several methods of
transmission to the monitoring center. The inventor has recently submitted
a proposal to NIJ for funding of the prototype. The inventor has also forwarded
a proposed letter-of-intent for a licensing agreement to PMG, Inc. of Wheeling,
WV for consideration and PMG, Inc. is in the process of negotiations with
EWA Inc., Fairmont, WV concerning the electronics for this invention. Colt's
Manufacturing Inc. has also been advised of this initiative in connection
with their Smart Gun development effort.
For Additional Information, Contact: Tom Burgoyne 304-243-2527
or e-mail: tburgoyne@nttc.edu.
OLETC is developing a hardware-software prototype of a face
composite-picture matching system for law enforcement and correction agencies.
Today, during the investigation of crime, the law enforcement personnel can
readily construct the composite, as a reasonably accurate representation
of the face of the alleged perpetrator, based on information provided by
the witness(es). However, the actual identification of the perpetrator generally
takes a very long time (weeks, months, years) because the existing law
enforcement system does not have a nationwide capability that can quickly
utilize the available pictures (photographic and/or electronic) of the criminals.
The system under development will be able to match (within different levels
of confidence) any face composite constructed by a law enforcement agency,
with the picture(s) of the criminal(s) within minutes. OLETC expects to complete
the proof-of- concept demonstration of this revolutionary face composite
- picture matching system within six months.
For Additional Information, Contact Arsev Eraslan 304-243-4336
or e-mail: aeraslan@nttc.edu.
OLETC is assisting a small company in Ohio with the commercialization
of a patented system which will aid the emergency response units in pinpointing
the location of a 911 distress call. The product is particularly appealing
for use by senior citizens, single parent homes and homes with infants.
OLETC will aid the technology developer in commercializing the
system by forming a partnership among the developer, service provider and
manufacturer. The technology assessment, market analysis and intellectual
property protection aspects of the commercialization process have been completed.
Necessary activities pertaining to business planning, licensing are being
developed at present.
For Additional Information, Contact: Tom Burgoyne 304-243-2527
or e-mail: tburgoyne@nttc.edu.
OLETC is working with the Jails Division, National Institute of
Corrections (NIC), Longmont, Colorado to consider the production of a fifteen
minute video concerning positional asphyxia in a jail setting. NIC was requested
by their Advisory Board to pursue this request with OLETC. The video production
effort is expected to take 12 months.
For Additional Information, Contact: Diane Hedinger 304-243-2473;
e-mail: dhedinger@nttc.edu, or Tom
Burgoinne 304-243-2527; e-mail:
tburgoyne@nttc.edu.
Tuff Cuffs are disposable handcuffs made by a small company in
New York which is seeking to be acquired by a competent manufacturing firm.
OLETC is working with Tuff Cuff to assist with market research and finding
an acquisition partner. OLETC is initiating the market research.
For Additional Information, Contact: Tom Burgoyne 304-243-2527
or e-mail: tburgoyne@nttc.edu.
Tiger Vision is a hand-held day and night vision device developed
by a small company who has requested OLETC assistance in market penetration.
The device has been given an initial favorable review by the Border Patrol
and others. A connection with ITT is being explored to determine if it is
a possible low end addition to ITT's night vision product line.
For Additional Information, Contact: Jerry Bortman 304-243-2530
or e-mail: jbortman@nttc.edu.
Innovative product acquisition strategies are needed for use by
small and medium size State and local law enforcement and corrections
organizations. These strategies must include identification of new and innovative
ways for the law enforcement community to acquire new technology products.
OLETC is planning to develop cost-effective acquisition methods and options
including "toolkits" for convincing the decision makers on the value of acquiring
new technology-based products and methodologies to illustrate innovative
ways to procure or accelerate purchases. OLETC is coordinating with a non-profit
organization of progressive and entrepreneurial city and county governments
in the United States representing over 20,000 local government entities.
OLETC will investigate how to work with state and local governments who have
developed good communications and processes to permit their police departments
to modernize with the support of the government management and the populace
that they serve.
For Additional Information, Contact: Jim Ball 703-866-4740 or
e-mail: jball@erols.com.
Building on OLETC's earlier efforts in identifying "Best Practice"
creative funding success stories developed in 1995, OLETC is exploring potential
partnerships which will examine ways and means to assist law enforcement
agencies to raise funds for acquisition of new law enforcement technology
products. Such initiatives may include local business sponsorship projects,
coupon programs, law enforcement "baseball cards", community service organization
fund drives, technology cost benefit toolkits, technology briefing packages,
and budget paradigm shift methodologies. OLETC will work with state and local
governments and with national and local law enforcement associations in
developing this effort.
For Additional Information, Contact: Jim Ball 703-866-4740 or
e-mail: jball@erols.com.
OLETC is conducting a study of the potential and alternative
approaches for the establishment of a "Buying Consortium/Cooperative " for
use by the LEC community to drive down the cost of new LEC products and provide
a new consolidated market for industrial manufacturers. OLETC is also discussing
a potential effort in partnership to develop this study.
For Additional Information, Contact: Jim Ball 703-866-4740 or
e-mail: jball@erols.com.
OLETC is developing a Product Implementation Handbook to be used
as a guide by developers and manufacturers to assist them in achieving a
successful commercialization effort. The handbook describes the product
implementation process, provides guidance on developing technical, market,
and business assessments and guidelines on the development of commercialization
plans, business plans, and plans for test and evaluation, production, product
support, and avoiding or reducing liability risks.
Copies of the handbook are available here.
For Additional Information, Contact: Jim Ball 703-866-4740 or e-mail:
jball@erols.com.
The Public Safety and Law Enforcement Working Group held three
monthly gatherings during July, August and September, 1996. The attendees
included a ten county region encompassing eastern Ohio, the northern five
counties of West Virginia, and Washington and Allegheny counties of Pennsylvania.
The alliance was aimed at bringing together entities which share common economic
problems as well as crime problems. OLETC offered presentations which served
to define the mission of OLETC and NTTC while at the same time presenting
new ideas in technology which impact upon law enforcement/corrections. These
technologies included presentations from NASA; The Ohio State Highway Patrol,
Columbus, Ohio; BDM Federal Inc., McLean, Virginia; Marshall University's
School of Medicine, Huntington, West Virginia; Bucks County Pennsylvania
Department of Corrections and two software companies from Columbus, Ohio
and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The response from the law enforcement/corrections
was overwhelming and over fifty attendees were in regular attendance at these
meetings.
OLETC is currently involved with a partnering effort for law
enforcement training among BDM Federal, a division of BDM International Inc.
of McLean, VA, and Wheeling Jesuit University. Appropriate introductions
of all parties with appropriate West Virginia public safety officials have
laid the groundwork for the partners to place their proposal before the WV
State Governor's Law Enforcement and Training Sub-committee tentatively scheduled
for November, 1996.
OLETC recently completed a comprehensive report for the National
Institute of Justice titled, Information, Tracking Systems, and Projects
related to Security/Community Threat Groups (Criminal Gangs). This report
incorporated information on different systems being used in the country by
law enforcement agencies, efforts being launched at national, regional and
local levels, available information on various communication mediums, and
general vendor information on system providers. The report is available for
downloading.
For Additional Information, Contact: Jim Ball 703-866-4740 or
e-mail: jball@erols.com.
OLETC has established a cooperative agreement with the Los Alamos
National Laboratory to investigate the commercialization of three technologies
with applications to law enforcement needs. Interested developers and
manufacturers are asked to contact OLETC to explore partnership agreements.
Following are the candidate technologies under consideration:
-
Mass Spectrometer (Gas Chromatography) technology which will allow
police officers to detect the existence of crack houses from a distance.
This technology will be able to supplement investigative measures, and may
serve as probable cause if efforts to obtain search warrants.
-
Microwave and/or acoustic sensors for detection of motion (people)
behind walls and doors. This technology will enable police officers to know
the potential problems they may encounter before entering that particular
room or hallway.
-
A non-detectable, non-scannable transmitter which can be utilized
by law enforcement personnel engaged in drug investigations where body recordings
are being utilized.
The need for reliable and efficient constraints for prisoner transport
has been highlighted as an issue by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department
and several other large departments which process and transport hundreds
of prisoners each day. We undersand that the LACSD has had one murder and
the NYPD 4 escapes in the past 6-12 months due to this problem. LACSD has
documented the problems in a training video.
The current pick-proof cuff on the market is a complicated and
expensive ($60/pair) cuff that requires two keys to unlock, and is unacceptable
due to the need for expeditious processing (LACSD handles over 2000 prisoners
per day). The Coast Guard also has a similar problem with detainees on ships,
and so do other large law enforcement agencies with similar prisoner handling
workloads like the LACSD. The LACSD believes that a more reliable cuff can
be produced at an acceptable price, potentially with a custom key for each
large customer.
OLETC is interested in hearing about the experience and needs
of other departments so that we can understand the problem as well as any
potential solutions that are available and in use.
For Additional Information, Contact: Jim Ball 703-866-4740 or
e-mail: jball@erols.com.
Last Modified: Tuesday, June 24 1997 11:33