AU2002320648B2

AU2002320648B2 - An Offender Tracking System

Info

Publication number: AU2002320648B2
Application number: AU2002320648A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Bruce Nichols
Original assignee: WEBCODES Pty Ltd
Current assignee: WEBCODES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2002-12-19
Filing date: 2002-12-19
Publication date: 2005-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-19
Also published as: AU2002320648A1; WO2004057490A1; NZ541304A

Description

AN OFFENDER TRACKING SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an offender tracking system and in particular to a system to assist with the reporting, tracking, detection and subsequent apprehension of persons who fail to pay and/or steal items of property.

BACKGROUND

ART

Systems for the storage and retrieval of information on the basis of terms of reference supplied by a user are well known. Almost every type of database has a search capability and these searches can be restricted or limited using search parameters. A common type of search is the Boolean search where a user searches information stored in a computer using a word or group of words.

Information data models are used by database designers to model various environments. For example, information data models are used to model business environments in order to assure, inter alia, operational efficiency.

Market research databases are used to track the flow of products through one or more business enterprises and ultimately to an end user, such as a consumer. Such a database may be useful in determining the effective use of shelf space within a retailer, the effective use of advertising and other promotional campaigns, the effectiveness of distribution systems, the buying habits of consumers, retailers, wholesalers, and the like, and other information which can make manufacturers and distributors of products more efficient and profitable.

In this way, databases are used as storage and retrieval devices and may contain a large amount of information. There are therefore methods and means to control access to the information on such databases. One simple means is through a password type situation wherein a person or prospective user is allocated a password or code number by the system administrator and by inputting this code into the system, the system allows access to data by the user.

Databases maintained by law enforcement agencies are a typical example of a database used in this manner. Police software systems have been developed to record and track details of suspects. Authorised users can view and manage a database of suspect records. However, only the database administrator has the ability to amend or add new records to the system due to the secure nature of the information contained in the database.

An example of a database of this kind is outlined below and is known as Suspect Logging and Tracking Software (SLATS) used by the Cleaford Police in the United States.

SLATS was designed in response to a request from a Deputy Sheriff, who particularly wanted a system to would hold a picture of the suspect alongside the data record. It runs on a standard PC, and may be used in single user mode or be networked.

SLATS allows rapid searching through the database to find a suspect's name instantly. It also uses a 'progressive find' facility which causes the system to home in on a name as it is typed. The database can be displayed in a number of different sort orders to aid rapid finding of all the records in the category that a user needs.

SLATS allows recording of a suspect's aliases and associates, with rapid searching through the database.

Other more mainstream databases are maintained to track incidents, warrants, criminal history, and jail bookings of criminals or suspects.

They can give enforcement agencies the means to participate in an automated incident submission program.

The Art Loss Register is another example of database tracking.

According to this system, a stolen or missing art piece can be added to the database lists using various search references such as the artist, size or subject of an artwork. When a prospective purchaser finds an art piece that they like and wishes to purchase, the Art Loss Register can be searched using a computer.

The Register may display all similar records or only the matches found. These can then be checked for similarities to the prospective purchase.

The main drawback with all of the above systems is the update and maintenance of alleged offender records on the database. Generally, offender information must be entered in Police or other official law enforcement database by the database administrator. All the search provider does is provides an interface through which users of the search portal conduct their search. The database is not generally maintained by the search providers, but is provided for the use of the law enforcement agencies and the search provider merely taps into that database. The search provider or searcher has no control over the information loaded onto the database.

Similarly, the users of the search portal don't have the ability to amend or add information to the database. All additions or amendments to offender records are performed by the database administrator or law enforcement agency. This can result in a time lag between the time that an offence occurs and when the actual details are loaded onto the database. This can be a particular drawback when a criminal or offender goes on a crime spree over a relatively short time period. By the time the people at risk are in a position to find out information from the database, the offender may have ceased activity or moved localities to escape being caught.

This is a result of the time required for the incident reports being written, then being sent to the database administrator or law enforcement agency where they are generally checked for veracity. They then go to the data entry department which loads the information onto the database. There can be a considerable backlog of entries so the database updating can take a significant period of time.

Other problems also exist such as the most accessible databases being usually also the least secure. The most useful databases, that is the best maintained and those that contain the most information and cross-referencing are not usually available to general online users. Access to these databases is generally restricted to law enforcement agencies or other official or government departments.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an offender tracking system, which may at least partially overcome the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in an offender tracking system for assisting in the reporting, tracking, detection and subsequent apprehension of persons who fail to pay for services or steal items of property comprising the steps of: setup of at least two databases and an associated web site by a database administrator; subscribing to access to the databases by at least one subscriber; accessing the databases by a subscriber using the web site; providing a search facility for each database; the input of identifying information into the search facility; performing a search of at least one of the databases using the identifying information; and displaying the results of the search; wherein changes to current information and/or addition of new information is made to at least one of the databases by the at least one subscriber to the system.

The present invention may provide clients with access to at least one database, through the use a search portal or interface located on the Internet. The search portal or interface may be used to access a database located remotely from a user. The databases may preferably contain information about offending persons, including identities, credit card details, contact details, identification documents, and the least previous offences.

Subscribers to the system may generally pay an annual subscription fee, which will allow them access to the networked database using a unique identification number and password. The subscribers may receive regular bulletins and warnings of likely offender activity in the area, as well as results of data analysis performed on the information contained in the database.

The data analysis may be preferably be performed by the database administrator. Subscribers may also receive a monthly newsletter advising of updates about the service, information about any new features, details of client success stories and special information technology offers such as discount internet access or computer hardware specials.

The system according to the present invention may preferably be directed towards preventing offences or detecting and assisting apprehension of offenders.

There may preferably be two portions or sectors of the system. The two portions of the system may preferably be known as the front end and the back end. The front end may preferably comprise a user interface. The user interface allows a subscriber or database administrator to access or connect to the back end of the system. The front end or user interface may preferably be located or accessible using an Internet browser. Alternatively the user interface may be located on a computer or server or a network of computers or servers. It may be of any suitable type or configuration.

The back end of the system may preferably comprise at least two databases. One of the databases may preferably be an offender database, containing information about offenders and their offences, and the second database may preferably be a subscriber database, containing information about subscribers and their accounts. Access to each of the databases via the subscriber interface may preferably be differentiated depending on the access or login details. For example access by a subscriber may allow only particular or restricted functions to be performed whereas access by the system administrator may grant "superuser" status and allow access to all portions of both databases and all functions of the system.

Typically, a subscriber may contact the database administrator in order to subscribe to the system. The database administrator may suitably provide the subscriber with a unique username and password to allow access to the system. The subscriber may preferably pay the database administrator a subscription fee in order to access the system for a preset period of time.

Preferred features of the system are more easily described with respect to use of the system by a subscriber or by the database administrator.

The front end of the system may preferably be reached using an Internet browser to visit a predetermined web site address. Upon opening the predetermined web page, the subscriber may suitably be prompted to enter their username and password in order to access the database. The correct entry of a 6 subscriber username and accompanying password may preferably allow access to the system as a subscriber.

Upon access to the system, the subscriber may preferably be presented with a menu giving several options for proceeding. The options may suitably enable function with the back end of the system and may include.

searching the offender database; add details of an offender; modify details of an offender; and modify details of the subscriber's account.

The search option may preferably present a data entry screen to allow the subscriber to enter details of a person about whom they may have suspicions or it may be used as a general precaution prior to the provision of goods or services to the person. The details may be used as parameters for search of the databases.

The option to add details of an offender may preferably present a data screen to allow the subscriber to add details of offender to the offender database, that is someone who has committed an offence against the subscriber.

Examples of offences that may be committed against the subscriber include non-payment of an account or removal of property from premises without permission.

The option to modify details of an offender may preferably present a data entry screen to allow the subscriber to modify details of offender in the offender database in relation to possible further information to assist in identification, further offences or some other detail missing when the original entry was made. It may suitably allow the subscriber the flexibility to enter sufficient initial information to have an offender recorded quickly on the system.

This option may also preferably allow a subscriber to delete the offender if there are changes to their status, that is where payment is received prior to the offender leaving.

The option to modify details of the subscriber's account may preferably present a data entry screen to allow the subscriber to change personal and/or account details relevant to their subscription on the subscriber database.

The "search' option and the "addition of details of offender" option may preferably be the two most often used options. The addition of details of an offender may preferably update the remotely located database containing offender information. Once the addition of details of an offender has been updated on the offender data base, the information may then preferably be immediately available to all other subscribers and the database administrator.

Upon selecting the search option a subscriber may preferably be called upon to enter information in order to set the parameters for the search of the offender database. Examples of typical information that may be entered by the subscriber are: the offender's name, including first name, middle initial and surname, the arrival and departure date of the offender, the offender's address as given to the subscriber including number, street, suburb, town or city, postcode, and state, any credit card details given including credit card number and type for example Visa/MasterCard/American Express or the like, drivers licence details given by the offender, including drivers licence number and state of issue, a description of a vehicle driven by the offender including registration number, vehicle colour, vehicle make and vehicle description.

The system may then preferably search the offender database based on any or all of the information that was entered by the subscriber. The system may preferably provide results of the search to the subscriber via the front end user interface, if no information corresponding to the search parameters is found, the-system may preferably report nothing or a nil result. If information corresponding to the search parameters is found during the search, the information may preferably be displayed to the subscriber together with any law enforcement crime numbers, the nature of offences committed, any amount owing, and whether offences had been reported to law enforcement agencies.

Upon selecting the "add details of an offender" option, a data entry form may be displayed which may allow entry of any of the following information: the offender's name, including first name, middle initial and surname, the arrival and departure date of the offender, the offender's address as given to the subscriber including number, Street, suburb, town or city, postcode, and state, any credit card details given including credit card number and type for example Visa/MasterCard/American Express or the like, drivers licence details given by the offender, including drivers licence number and state of issue, description of a vehicle driven by the offender including registration number, vehicle colour, vehicle make and vehicle description, description of the offender including age, build, approximate height, eye colour, complexion details, hair colour, or other distinguishing features, the nature of the offence including a description for example failure to pay, stealing property or damaging property, an indication of whether the offence was reported to the police, and if so, at which police station and if available, the crime number or other identifying details.

Any details which do not form part of the offender database, may be entered at a later stage by a subscriber choosing the "modify details of an offender" option.

Upon selecting the option to modify the subscriber's details, an editable form is preferably displayed allowing the subscriber to edit their subscription details or account details. This may allow the modification of the details such as username, password, contact name and address details including telecommunications numbers, e-mail and subscriber web site address.

Use of the system by the database administrator may also preferably be accessed through the front end user interface. In a manner similar to a subscriber's entry of their username and password, the administrator may also have a username and password, entry of which may suitably allow broader on unrestricted access to the system than that allowed to a subscriber.

The correct entry of the administrator username and accompanying password may preferably allow access to the system as the database administrator.

Upon access to the system the database administrator may preferably be presented with a menu giving several options for proceeding. The options may include, adding a new subscriber, editing the details of an existing subscriber, removing an existing subscriber's details from the subscriber database, checking an offender's details in the offender database, editing the details of an offender, removing an offender's details from the offender database, and creating a list of offenders, either a complete list, or a list according to a particular search parameter.

The option of' adding a new subscriber" may preferably present a data entry screen to allow the administrator to add details of new subscriber to the subscriber database.

The option of "editing the details of an existing subscriber" may preferably present a data entry screen to allow the administrator to edit subscriber details in the subscriber database.

The option of "removing an existing subscriber's details" from the subscriber database may preferably present a data entry screen to allow the administrator to remove a subscriber in instances where the service is no longer required in the subscriber database.

The option of "checking an offender's details" in the offender database may preferably present a data entry screen to allow the administrator to check the offender details that have been entered by a subscriber the offender database. This data may preferably need to be checked in order to ensure that the appropriate data has been entered and that the data has been entered in the correct format.

The option of "editing the details of an offender" in the offender database may preferably present a data entry screen to allow the administrator to modify the data entered by a subscriber if that information entered is deemed to be not suitable for the database. Choosing this option may preferably be linked to the option of "checking an offender's details".

The option of "removing an offender's details" from the offender database may preferably present a data entry screen that allows the administrator to delete an offender record or part thereof or make the offender record inactive. The offender record may be made inactive for a period of time if it is not deleted entirely. This option may be preferably used in circumstances where an offender has been arrested or the complaint against the offender has been withdrawn. This option may be linked or used in combination with the option(s) of "editing the details of an offender" or "checking the details of an offender" in the offender database.

The option of "creating a list of offenders" may preferably present a data entry screen to allow the administrator to produce a list of offenders and other information for the administrators use in analysing the data contained in the offender database to produce for example, profiles or criminal patterns or the like.

Additions or modifications to subscriber information may preferably update the subscriber database. Additions or modifications to offender information may preferably update the offender database.

The database administrator may preferably also be able to view subscriber listings, either in complete form or according to some search parameter. This function may preferably be used to maintain subscriber accounts or to print reports of subscriber use or activity.

The database administrator may preferably also be able to view offender listings either in complete form or according to some predetermined search parameter. This function may preferably be used in the analysis of offender information entered by subscribers to produce profiles and/or warnings to be forwarded to subscribers or particular groups of subscribers. The forwarding of profiles and/or warnings to subscribers may preferably be accomplished using the interface of the system, or by e-mail.

The ability of an administrator to modify the information pertaining to offenders may preferably allow the additions or modifications of offender information in ways similar to that provided for subscribers. In addition to this, the administrator may preferably be able to add or modify subscriber information.

Typical information pertaining to subscribers may include an account number for billing purposes, a subscriber username, password, expiry date for subscription and also contact information such as the subscriber name and address and contact telephone or facsimile numbers. The modification function which can be used by the administrator may include the ability to mark a subscriber as active (up-to-date with subscription fees) or in active (subscription fees are owing).

In a particularly preferred embodiment, both data bases forming the back end of the system may preferably be located on a secure server with at least 128 bit encryption processes to enhance or ensure security of the data.

The subscriber database and the offender database will preferably be co-located, in the sense that the databases will be interlinked and provide at least some overlap in function and/or information.

The system according to the present invention may find particular application in the temporary accommodation sector such as to monitor nonpayment of accounts and illegal removal of property from hotels, motels or other temporary accommodation. It is to be appreciated however that the present invention may also find application in other spheres such as tourism, hospitality or marina operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic or flow diagram of the access an operation of the system by a database administrator of the system.

Figure 2 is a schematic or flow diagram of the access and operation of the system by a subscriber to the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention, an offender tracking system for assisting in the reporting, tracking, detection and subsequent apprehension of persons who fail to pay for services or steel items of property is provided.

The system includes the setup of at least one database and an associated web site by a database administrator, and subscribing to access the databases by at least one, and generally a plurality of subscribers. Each of the subscribers will receive a username and a password or other code in order to access secure databases. The system has a front end which is a web site accessible over the Internet. Subscribers and the database administrator will generally enter the web site address corresponding to the front end location.

The front end will display a data entry form prompting the input of the subscriber's username and password or the database administrators username and password.

The system will also have a back end which is linked to the front end. The back end comprises a secure server or other network which is associated with a subscriber database 5 and an offender database 8. The offender database 8, contains information about offenders and their offences and the subscriber database 5 contains information about subscribers and their accounts. Access to each of the databases via the subscriber interface is differentiated depending on the access or login details. For example access by a subscriber allows certain limited functions to be performed whereas access by the system administrator grants "superuser" status and allows access to all portions of the databases as well as other maintenance functions.

Figure 1 illustrates the operation of the system entered using the administrators access. Operation of the system in this form allows access to all functions and parts of the databases. The database administrator will enter the web site address corresponding to the front end location 1. A data entry form is displayed, prompting the input of a username and password, in this case the database administrator's username and password 2. Once the database administrator has entered their username and password, and access to the database is granted, a series of options will be displayed for selection by the database administrator 3.

The option is displayed will include: adding a new subscriber 3a, editing the details of an existing subscriber 3b, removing an existing subscriber's details from the subscriber database 3c, checking an offender's details in the offender database 3d, editing the details of an offender 3e, removing an offender's details from the offender database 3f, and creating a list of offender's, either a complete list, or a list according to a particular search parameter 3g.

As can be seen, items 3a to 3c above coincide with the addition or modification of subscriber information, whereas items 3d to 3g relate to the addition or modification of offender information.

Upon selecting one of the options for proceeding, a data entry form will be displayed by the system. The data entry form allows the database administrator to input data.

If any one of options 3a to 3c are chosen, and the database administrator inputs data, the subscriber database 5 will be either accessed or updated 4a.

The subscriber database 5 may also be searched by the database administrator and the administrator may view subscriber listings 6 either in a complete form, or according to a search parameter chosen by the database administrator. This function is usually used to maintain accounts 7, for instance subscription details including the length of subscription and the payment of subscription fees.

If any one of options 3d to 3g are chosen, and the database administrator inputs data and the offender database 9 will be accessed. The selection of options 3d to 3f allows the entry of additional or modification of information that will update 8 the offender database 9. The selection of option 3g will access the offender database 9 and allow the database administrator to view an offender listing 10, either in a complete form, or according to a search parameter chosen by the database administrator. This function is usually used to extract information from the offender database in order to analyse the data 11.

Upon analysis of the data extracted from the offender data base, the database administrator can produce profiles andlor warnings 12 relating to a subscriber or group of subscribers. The database administrator can then advise the subscribers of the warning 13, usually using e-mail or the Internet.

Figure 2 illustrates the operation of the system entered using a subscriber access. Operation of the system in this form allows access to parts of both databases, but not to all of the available functions. The subscriber will enter the web site address corresponding to the front end location 1. A data entry form is displayed, prompting the input of the username and password, in this case the subscriber's individual and unique username and password 2, provided upon subscription to the system. Once the subscriber has entered their username and password, and access to the database is granted, a series of options will be displayed for selection by the subscriber 3.

The options displayed will include: general search or guest entry 16, adding offender details 14, editing the details of an existing offender a editing the details of a subscriber 17, As can be seen, items 14 to 16 above coincide with the search, addition or modification of offender information, whereas item 17 relates to the modification of subscriber information.

Upon selecting one of the options for proceeding, a data entry form will be displayed by the system. The data entry form allows the subscriber to input data.

If any one of options 14 to 16 are chosen, and the subscriber inputs data 19, the offender database 8 will be either accessed or updated 18. If the search function is used, the offender database will be searched using any of the search parameters input by the subscriber or it may be searched on any combination of more than one search parameter. Examples of search parameters which can be used may be any of the following or any combination thereof: the offender's name, including first name, middle initial and surname, the arrival and departure date of the offender, the offender's address has given to the subscriber including number, street, suburb, town or city, postcode, and state, any credit card details given including credit card number and type for example Visa/MasterCard/American Express or the like, drivers licence details given by the offender, including drivers licence number and state of issue, description of a vehicle driven by the offender including registration number, vehicle colour, vehicle make and vehicle description, description of the offender including a inch, build, approximate height, eye colour, complexion details, hair colour, or other distinguishing features, the nature of the offence in including a description, for example the failure to pay, stealing property or damaging property, an indication of whether the offence was reported to the police, and if so, at which police station and if available, the crime number or other identifying number.

Upon completion of the search, the system will produce a result The result will be one of two outcomes. Firstly the search may find no matches 23 in the offender database 8 and therefore will display or indicate that no results or matches were found 21. In this case, the subscriber will accept the booking 28. Alternatively, if matches are found 24 the system will display a list of the positive matches 22.

If positive matches are found and are listed, the system will then prompt action 25 on the part of the subscriber. The action to be taken by the subscriber could be to advise the police 26 of the presence of an offender, or the subscriber may choose to do nothing 27. Following either of these actions, the subscriber may decide to accept the booking 28.

The search feature may also be used to find an offender's details in order to modify them 15. Once the offender's details are displayed to the subscriber, the subscriber may modify the offender's details. Upon completion of the modification of the offender details, the system will update 18 the offender database, which will immediately allow other subscribers to view the modified details.

Upon choosing the edit subscriber details option 17, the subscriber's details are displayed. These details may then be modified by the subscriber and the subscriber database updated.

As can be seen from the preceding description, the system is particularly applicable to the hotel or temporary accommodation industry. It could also be used in any industry where goods are rental in order to minimise or prevent damage or theft of the goods.

In the present specification and claims, the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated 16 integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

The system may also be integrated into an existing booking system, such as a hotel/motel booking system.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An offender tracking system for assisting in the reporting, tracking, detection and subsequent apprehension of persons who fail to pay n for services or steal items of property comprising the steps of s setup of at least two databases and an associated interface by a 00 database administrator, the at least two databases include at Oleast one offender database containing information about 0 N offenders and their offences and at least one subscriber N database containing information about subscribers and their accounts subscribing to access to the databases by at least one subscriber, subscription to the system being closed at all times except through the administrator, accessing the databases by a subscriber or database administrator using the interface, providing a search facility for each database, the input of identifying information into the search facility, performing a search of at least one of the databases using the identifying information, and displaying the results of the search, wherein changes to current information and/or addition of new information are made to the at least one offender database by a subscriber to the system and addition of new information to the at least one subscriber database can only be made by the database administrator.

2. The offender tracking system according to claim 1 wherein the interface and search facility is a website located on a world wide computer network, the interface used to access the at least two databases located remotely to the subscriber/database administrator.

3. The offender tracking system according to claim 1 wherein the offender database contains information about offending persons, including any one or more of the offenders name, including first name, middle initial and surname, the arrival and departure date of the offender, the offender's address has given to the subscriber including number, street, suburb, town or o city, postcode, and state, any credit card details given including credit card number and type, drivers licence details given by the offender, including drivers licence number and state of issue, description of a vehicle driven by ethe offender including registration number, vehicle colour, vehicle make and vehicle description, description of the offender including a inch, build, 00 approximate height, eye colour, complexion details, hair colour, or other Sdistinguishing features, nature of the offence in including a description, an N indication of whether the offence was reported to the police, and if so, at N which police station and if available, the crime number or other identifying O 10 details.

4. The offender tracking system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, subscribers to the system are provided with a unique client identification number and password in order to access the system.

5. The offender tracking system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, the subscribers receive regular bulletins and warnings of offender activity in an area, containing a result of data analysis performed on the information contained in the at least two databases.

6. The offender tracking system according to claim 5 wherein, the data analysis is performed by the database administrator.

7. The offender tracking system according to claim 1, wherein there are two portions of the system, a front end and a back end, the front end comprising a subscriber interface allowing a subscriber to access or connect to the back end using a world wide computer network and the back end of the system comprising the at least two databases.

8. The offender tracking system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, access to each of the databases via the interface is differentiated on the basis of the access details, access by a subscriber allowing certain predetermined functions to be performed and access by the database administrator grants unrestricted access to all of the databases and functions.

9. The offender tracking system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, upon entering the interface, the subscriber is 0 o prompted to enter a username and password in order to access the databases, the correct entry of a subscriber username and accompanying password allows access to the system as a subscriber.

The offender tracking system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, access to the system allows search, retrieval and 00 updating of information including offender information and subscriber Sinformation. 0 N

11. The offender tracking system according to any one of the Npreceding claims wherein, the system presents a data entry screen to allow o 10 the subscriber or database administrator to add or modify details of offender.

12. The offender tracking system according to any one of claims 2 to 11 wherein, addition of details of an offender updates the database containing offender information, making the information immediately available to all other subscribers and the database administrator.

13. The offender tracking system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, the search facility allows a subscriber to enter information in order to set parameters for the search of the databases.

14. The offender tracking system according to claim 13 wherein, information that is entered by the subscriber includes any one or more of the offenders name, including first name, middle initial and surname, the arrival and departure date of the offender, the offenders address has given to the subscriber including number, Street, suburb, town or city, postcode, and state, any credit card details given including credit card number and type, drivers licence details given by the offender, including drivers licence number and state of issue, description of a vehicle driven by the offender including registration number, vehicle colour, vehicle make and vehicle description.

The offender tracking system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, the system provides results of the search to the subscriber or database administrator via the interface, if no information corresponding to the searched parameters is found, the system reports a nil result, and if information corresponding to the searched parameters is found during the search, the record is displayed via the interface. o

16. The offender tracking system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, the database administrator is provided with a data entry screen allowing the database administrator to check the information ndetails that have been entered by a subscriber in the offender databases in s order to ensure that the appropriate data has been entered in the correct 00 format.

17. The offender tracking system according to any one of the 0 N preceding claims wherein, records on each database can be made inactive N for a period of time or deleted entirely. 0 lo

18. The offender tracking system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, the database administrator analyses the data contained in any database to produce profiles or statistical information for use by the database administrator or subscribers.

19. The offender tracking system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, the databases are located on a remote secure server with at least 128 bit encryption processes to enhance or ensure security of the data contained therein.

The offender tracking system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, the databases are co-located, in the sense that the data bases are interlinked and provide at least partial overlap in function and/or information.

21. An offender tracking system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 13 th day of April 2005 2 5 Webcodes Pty Ltd By their Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.