The Police Digital Service (PDS) is aiming to develop a number of digital tools to support the handling of rape and serious sexual offence (RASSO) cases.
It has reported that the programme is aimed at increasing the chances of a successful resolution to cases in an area in which it is notoriously difficult to do so.
Earlier this year PDS launched an Impact Lab for tech companies and stakeholders that presented four key challenges: improving the victim’s experience in the reporting and investigation of a case; extracting data from devices; reviewing and analysing digital evidence; and presenting digital evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, judiciary and defence teams more effectively.
Complexity of data
Potential solution providers were given access to data from the Avon and Somerset and North Wales police forces to allow them to understand the complexity of RASSO cases.
An unspecified number of proposals are now being taken to proof of concept stage, supplementing existing trials by British Transport Police, Northamptonshire and Kent Police.
“There is still a long road ahead, but once they are fully developed there is hope that these new tools can have a real impact on RASSO cases and, ultimately, improve outcomes for victims of these life shattering crimes,” PDS said.
