Descriptive review of Crime and Criminal Introduction:

tracking network system (CCTNS)

The current governance of the Indian police

force is based on the Police Act of 1861. The

Anand Saurabh structure in the police force is strictly

& hierarchical. Decision making in Indian police

Siddarth Shankar system is mainly centralized with high rank

officers. The police come under a State

subject as per the constitution. The main

Abstract: responsibilities of police force in modern India

is typically 1) maintaining routine law and

The paper aims to introduce to the reader the
order; 2) riot control; 3) crime investigation;
new data warehousing system that is being
4) protection of state assets; 5) VIP
set up by the ministry of home affairs (MHA)
protection; 6) Traffic control.
namely: Crime and criminal tracking network

and system (CCTNS).The paper describes

Currently Indian police does not have any
current Indian police system. It looks at
advanced data-warehousing capabilities. Use
various IT based application being used at
of information technology in processing and
police organisation across India. The paper
day to day activities at police head-quarters is
gives module wise descriptive analysis of
not optimal. Some state police is having good
CCTNS. CCTNS aims at creating an integrated
official website but they provide limited
system for enhancing effectiveness of policing
functions. For example, Mumbai police has an
by the adoption of principle of e-Governance.
official web site www.mumbaipolice.org.
It will create nationwide networking
Information about all applications for issue of
infrastructure for IT enabled tracking system
various licenses, passport, verification,
for investigation and detection of crime and
missing items and persons , information about
criminals.
traffic related issues, passport status
information, daily arrested persons and crime In short, there is lot of scope of improvement

press, important event and notices, weather in adoption of Information technologies based

updates and know your law etc are available. solution to improve the efficiency and

Similarly Delhi police website also contains effectiveness of Indian police system.

information regarding crime control, Safety

Tips, missing personal etc. Under the National e-Governance Plan of

Govt. of India various project has been

started. Crime and Criminal Tracking Network

& Systems (CCTNS) is one of them. It is a

Mission Mode Project which aims at “

Creating a comprehensive and integrated

system for enhancing the efficiency and

effectiveness of policing through adopting of

principle of e-Governance and creation of a

nationwide networking infrastructure for

evolution of IT-enabled-state-of-the-art

Figure: Delhi police website: showing various tracking system around 'Investigation of crime

modules and detection of criminals”[1]

There are some IT based application Approximately 14,000 Police Stations

developed by various police organisation and throughout the country has been proposed to

state police. Appendix-1 gives detail of various be automated under the CCTNS Project by

application developed by National Crime and 2012.

Record Bureau (NCRB). [16]

Following are the objectives of CCTNS as per
Similar applications are also has been
National Crime record Bureau (NCRB) official
developed and being used by many state
site.
police.
1. Make the Police functioning citizen friendly The NCRB (National Crime and Records

and more transparent by automating the Bureau) site provides with introduction and

functioning of Police Stations. objective of CCTNS. It gives a detailed timeline

2. Improve delivery of citizen-centric services of initiation and progress of CCTNS. NCRB also

through effective usage of ICT. gives various links to tenders, Expression of

3. Provide the Investigating Officers of the interests, guidelines and specification

Civil Police with tools, technology and documents. [1]

information to facilitate investigation of crime

The Functional Requirement Specifications
and detection of criminals.
(FRS) documents contain details about the
4. Improve Police functioning in various other
modules of CCTNS. The various modules
areas such as Law and Order, Traffic
include the following: registration module,
Management etc.
Investigation module, Prosecution module,
5. Facilitate Interaction and sharing of
search module, citizen interface module,
Information among Police Stations, Districts,
Navigation module and configuration module.
State/UT headquarters and other Police
The registration module deals with
Agencies.
registration of the complaint by the citizens,
6. Assist senior Police Officers in better
logging and generation of unique ID for every
management of Police Force
complaint, assigning of personnel for a
7. Keep track of the progress of Cases,
specific complaint and tracking the complaint
including in Courts
to closure.
8. Reduce manual and redundant Records

keeping The investigation module is where the details

of the crime details, chance finger prints and

Literature Survey: investigation details are captured. The arrest

details are also captured using this module.

CCTNS is currently under implementation

phase and expected to be completed by 2012.

The prosecution module is designed to act as and cuts the red tape for day to day need of

a conduit of police department with the citizens interacting with police.

judicial system. This module helps the user

The capacity building guideline document
track the status of cases currently in progress
provides states with framework on which the
in the courts.
states could plan their basic activities. It also

The search module enables the police to provides guideline for initiatives for which

retrieve/update information about the cases. funding would be made available in during

The information based on crime, accused FY09-10.The objective is to empower the

details etc can be obtained through simple direct users and other stakeholders to use it

querying. best possible manner leading to effectiveness

of entire system.
The configuration module comprises of

functionalities required for the administration Above all, national news channels and

to help maintain the system on day to day ministry of home affairs are providing updates

basis. The configuration module helps in on CCTNS on regular basis. Cabinet

providing data and functionalities to police Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has

staff as per their roles. approved the project and an allocation of Rs.

2000 corers has been made and Expression of

The navigation Module describes the
Interest (EOS) has been invited from various
interface the system provides to the staff
the Software developers. [1]
once they log into the system. It also provides

various options present to each one of them.

Finally the Citizen Interface Module provides a Descriptive Analysis of Modules

point of contact for the interaction between

Following are the modules of CCTNS. :-
citizens and police. It increases the efficiency
1. Registration Module
2. Investigation Module station to file a request. When the details of

the request are entered into the system by

3. Prosecution Module
police personnel with requisite access a
4. Search Module
unique number is generated for the petition.

5. Citizen interface Module

When a request is filed in the system a

6. Navigation Module response has to be generated for it.

Whenever general petitions are filed by the

7. Configuration Module
citizens the required response is generated by

We will be discussing them one by one. sending generation of reports like no object

certificates and then the request is sent to

relevant authorities whose response is

Registration Module:
required.

The registration module consists of the login

Property information page enables the police
page, General Service petition, prepare
capture data on Unclaimed/Abandoned
response, property information, register
property. The data which are captured are
complaint, complete registration and close
Number of the property, details, acts, section
complaint.
code, seizure place, date/time, witness details

The login page can be accessed by people and other information. The page allows the

from multiple roles from the police force like user to capture details about property type,

SHO, IO, DO, SW (Station writer), CC (Court automobiles and human parts (like kidneys

constable) and DEO (Data entry operator). eyes). The system also tries to associate the

Based on the role of the person logging in, the missing property with a case and tries to solve

access is restricted to the relevant pages. the case. There is also an option to search by

various parameters.
The general service petition page is used to

enter data when citizen reaches a police

Register complaint page helps the police to Prosecution Module:

capture information when the citizens (or

The prosecution module consists of submit
police themselves) come to them regarding
trial date, split case, alert senior officers and
incidents like theft, robbery, murder or other
order reinvestigation. The prosecution
disputes. The user assigns data related to
module acts as conduit between the police
section and acts. The information like
and the courts where the case is happening.
occurrence place, reported place, registration
The submit trial date update capture the data
place, duty officer and investigation officer
on the activities on the trial day. The details
are entered manually. The information about
about the activities that happened in the
the witness, victim and the accused are also
court are updated. Some of the information
captured here. The system captures other
are the number of witnesses who appeared,
case specific details.
number who did not etc. The data on next
The complete registration page enables the
trial date is also captured. Some of the data
user to create FIR (First information reports),
include the next trial date, collect evidence,
zero FIR, NCR (Non cognizable reports),
alert witness, summons and warrants to be
complaint report and final report of juvenile
executed, bail petition, to appeal or not etc.
crime. The system helps in exporting the
Split case page enable the user to split cases
reports into pdf formats for easy
logically when accused have not been
comprehension.
apprehended or the case is happening in
The close complaint page enables the user to
different courts. When a particular accused is
close cases which do not go to investigation
not apprehending while the rest of them have
stage. Here the final report is generated
been, then the system enables a user to
immediately after complaint is registered and
create a new FIR for the person not
the case is closed.
apprehended. This enables the police to

prosecute the people who have been caught.

Alert and MIS for senior officers are to inform The register complaint helps in registering non

the senior police officials about the cases that emergency complaints and also gets an

are getting prosecuted in the courts. Usually acknowledgement of the same. The citizens

the alerts are for cases which are grave in can also view status of the complaint and get

nature and have to be informed. The alert is copies of the case documents.

sounded when the senior police official logs

The query page helps the citizens get
into his system.
information from the system based on a

Order for reinvestigation comes into effect number of parameters. The citizens can get

when the courts order the same. The user data on missing persons, status of a case,

enters the data like name of court, court stolen property, abandoned property, crime

order detail, court order date, court order profile of an area, most wanted persons in an

receive date and investigating officer details. area and information on police station trends.

The system then informs the investigating

The module also enables the citizens to apply
officer when he logs into the system.
for no clearance certificates (NOC) and also

seek status for the same.

Citizen Interface module: Finally the feedback page enables citizens to

give general information to the police,

The citizen interface module acts as an
register complaints against the police and also
interface between the citizens and police. It
allows citizens to contribute intelligence
also helps in increasing the efficiency by
information anonymously.
cutting the red tape involved. The module

consists of Register complaints and receives

acknowledgement, conduct a query, apply/

Search Module:
seek status of NOC and provide feedback to
The search module enables the user to
the police.
retrieve information about cases that can be
reviewed and updated. The search module When an IO and SHO logs into the system, he

has quick search and advanced search can access information related to list of cases.

features. There is also an option to save and Also he can view information on cases under

retrieve queries. investigation and trial; administration related

work, calendar, and court related work.

In the quick search page, the user enters data

like FIR number, Date range, Beat area, A duty officer is responsible for entering

interval and type of case. The search gives the details about a complaint. When a duty officer

results page with the option of exporting the logs in to the systems he is taken to the

results to PDF or excel. registration page where details like

registration date, IO name, IO code, case type,

In the advanced search option the user will be
act, local act, section, date, time, place of
able to retrieve information based on type of
occurrence, direct and distance from police
crime, accused details, property details, victim
station can be entered by the duty officer.
details and modus operandi. All the options

have the feature of viewing the results either Station writer is responsible for report writing

by suspects or by cases. and data related to cases. When a station

writer logs into the system, he lands in the

page with following tabs namely: FIR number,

Navigation Module:
Select area, category, date range and

The navigation module consists of the yearly/monthly/weekly. The station writer can

functionalities which are available to each generate reports containing data on pending

user based on their role in the police force. arrests, registered cases, charge sheet, court

The roles which have been defined are IO, disposal and summons.

SHO, duty officer (DO), station writer (SW),

The court constable is responsible for duties
court constable (CC), SSP and senior officer.
related to court work. When he logs into the

system he can view the court appointment

schedule tab which contains data related to the system. The information that are captured

court, date of trial, FIR number, activity, and include date, motive, victim, accused if exists,

case description. He can also view the report witnesses, place of occurrence and possible

summary for the categories like charge suspect gangs.

sheets, court disposal, warrants and

In the finger print page, the FP experts send
summons.
the reports to the police station after

The SSP and senior officer can view the tasks analysing the crime scene. The data in the

which are pending and status of various tasks. reports are entered into the system. The date

He can view data related to open, closed, of capture, captured by and the scanned copy

reopened, and disposed cases. The senior of the finger print which can be enlarged are

officer will also be able to generate reports on entered into the system.

various types like general service requests,

As the investigation proceeds and more
summons, warrants, registered cases and
information come into light these have to be
charge sheets.
entered into the system. This is done through

the investigation page where new information

on witness, accused, victim, property and

Investigation Module:
motive can be updated. The user can also
The investigation module consists of
view the current status of the case with
capabilities to capture information related to
options like details collected, evidence
crime including crime details, chance finger
collected, charge sheet created and arrests
print details and investigation details. It also
made.
helps in preparing arrest report and remand
The module also helps the police force in
report.
preparing the arrest report, remand
In the crime details form information that are
report/judicial custody report and property
gathered at the crime scene are entered into
seizure form. The module helps in interacting
with external agencies like forensic science lab Configuration Module:

(FSL), finger print bureau (FPB), RTO in case of

The configuration module helps the
accidents, Post mortem, hospitals, medico
administration in maintaining the system on a
legal case (MLC), excise officer and hospitals.
daily basis. The module consists of
The module helps in preparing request forms
configuration of acts/sections, additional data
for each of these parties as required by the
elements to state acts/sections, MO/Property
case.
type/castes/tribes Police organization,

The module also helps in entering the data court/FSB/FSL, templates, case specific service

into the system based on the reports from the levels and users.

external agencies like FSL, FPB, RTO, excise

In the configuration of acts/sections the user
officer, RTO, MLC and hospitals. The
can update the system with addition of new
information is entered into the system for
acts and sections. The user can also delete old
each of these categories by the user.
acts and sections. The user should update the

The module helps in preparing inquest report act number and section number in the

and the final charge sheet for a particular relevant sections. The module also has

case. The module has capabilities of alerting flexibility to update the sections based on

the senior officer and SSP with regards to the local need which come from individual police

status of the case. The case can be transferred stations.

to another station if it does not come under

The user will be able to add/delete new
its jurisdiction. The module also helps in
MO/castes/tribes/property type as per the
maintaining checklist and alerts to finish tasks
needs of the situation. The user enters the
before stipulated time.
data manually. The module helps in changing

the police organization structure by adding

new districts and beats. These changes take

place at the instance of local authorities. The

 user is able to view/change the roles principle of e-Governance. It will create

associated with a police station using this nationwide networking infrastructure for IT

module. enabled tracking system for investigation and

detection of crime and criminals. The

The user information can be configured by
Government of India is taking CCTNS project
adding a user, changing the role of a user and
seriously. It has been aimed to be completed
resetting the password. Other information like
by 2012. Already an allocation of Rs. 2000
name, ID, role, date of enlistment, caste and
crores has been made for CCTNS Project.
educational qualification can also be entered.

Finally the module also provides capabilities

to configure the court/FSL/FBP and templates

according the needs of the police force.

Conclusion

The current Indian police system is hierarchal

and mostly centralised and the use of Data-

warehousing and Information Technology is

limited. Police comes under the state

administration and every state have some

record keeping applications. There is an

obvious need for nationwide centralised

record keeping system using latest

Information technology. CCTNS aims at

creating an integrated system for enhancing

effectiveness of policing by the adoption of

References 13. www.votemumbai.org/policerefor
ms/.../The%20Indian%20Police%
20System-%20A%20Summary.pdf
Link to various sites and document used in
14. http://www.mumbaipolice.org/
paper are
15. http://www.delhipolice.nic.in/
1. http://ncrb.nic.in/CCTNS.htm 16. http://ncrb.nic.in/itresourcecentre.ht
m
2. http://igovernment.in/site/India-to-
apply-IT-enabled-US-model-security-
system/

3. www.tnpolice.gov.in/pdfs/cctns_24
09.pdf

4. http://www.egovonline.net/articles-
list/47/8113-cctnsconnecting-
police.html

5. www.chandigarhpolice.nic.in/TEND
ER/CCTNS/Tender%20index.pdf

6. http://netindian.in/news/2010/03/11
/0005718/chidambaram-calls-
completion-cctns-2012

7. http://igovernment.in/site/wb-
gearing-cctns-roll-out-37036

8. http://www.24dunia.com/english-
news/shownews/0/CCTNS-project-to-
enhance-crime-investigation-
Chidambaram/5764664.html

9. http://e-
pao.net/GP.asp?src=1..230310.mar10

10. http://www.neytri.com/tcs-infy-
wipro-ibm-to-bid-for-rs-2000-cr-
online-fir-project/

11. http://www.currentitmarket.net/200
9/09/indian-it-firms-queue-up-for-
criminal.html

12. http://www.mynews.in/Chidambara
m_calls_for_Completing_CCTNS_Proj
ect_on_Schedule_N40419.html
 APPENDIX-1

SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS DEVELOPED BY POLICE

ORGANISATIONS / AGENCIES

Org. ORGANISATION SOFTWARE SCOPE ENVIRONMENT

NCRB NATIONAL CRIME IN INDIA CRIME IN WINDOWS/ACCESS

CRIME INDIA, DATA
RECORDS ENTRY,
BUREAU VALIDATION,
& TABLE
GENERATION
NCRB NATIONAL MOTOR - WINDOWS/ACCESS/VISUAL
CRIME VEHICLE BASIC
RECORDS COORDINATION
BUREAU SYSTEM (MVCS)

NCRB NATIONAL FORENSIC - WINDOWS/ACCESS/VISUAL

CRIME SCIENCE BASIC
RECORDS LABORATORY
BUREAU SYSTEM (FSL)

NCRB NATIONAL JAIL - WINDOWS/ACCESS/VISUAL

CRIME MANAGEMENT BASIC
RECORDS SYSTEM (JMS)
BUREAU
NCRB NATIONAL PROSECUTION - WINDOWS/ACCESS/VISUAL
CRIME MANAGEMENT BASIC
RECORDS SYSTEM
BUREAU
NCRB NATIONAL TALASH - WINDOWS/SQL/VISUAL
CRIME SYSTEM BASIC
RECORDS
BUREAU
NCRB NATIONAL POLICE - WINDOWS/ACCESS/VISUAL
CRIME STATION BASIC
RECORDS MANAGEMENT
BUREAU SYSTEM
NCRB NATIONAL CULTURAL - WINDOWS/ACCESS
CRIME PROPERTY
RECORDS SYSTEM
BUREAU
NCRB NATIONAL ACR TRACKING - WINDOWS/ACCESS
CRIME SYSTEM
RECORDS
BUREAU
NCRB NATIONAL PAYROLL - WINDOWS/ACCESS
CRIME SYSTEM
RECORDS
BUREAU
NCRB NATIONAL TRAINING - WINDOWS/ACCESS
CRIME MANAGEMENT
RECORDS SYSTEM
BUREAU

NCRB NATIONAL INVENTORY - WINDOWS/ACCESS/VISUAL

CRIME MANAGEMENT BASIC
RECORDS SYSTEM
BUREAU

NCRB NATIONAL PERSONNEL - WINDOWS/ACCESS/VISUAL

CRIME INFORMATION BASIC
RECORDS SYSTEM
BUREAU

NCRB NATIONAL FIRE ARMS - WINDOWS/ACCESS/VISUAL

CRIME COORDINATION BASIC
RECORDS SYSTEM (FACS)
BUREAU

NCRB NATIONAL DOSSIER - WINDOWS/ACCESS/VISUAL

CRIME SYSTEM FOR BASIC
RECORDS MP POLICE
BUREAU
NCRB NATIONAL PRISON PRISON WINDOWS/ACCESS/CLIPPER
CRIME STATISTICS STATISTICS
RECORDS SYSTEM OF INDIA,
BUREAU DATA ENTRY,
VALIDATION
& REPORTS