How Qtis Revolutionized Crime Investigation with Business Intelligence

Overview

  • Industry: Law Enforcement
  • Challenge: Poor evidence documentation and criminal connection tracking during complex drug/gang investigations results in few convictions.
  • Solution: Implementing Quick Tracking Investigative System (Qtis), a business intelligence system, to streamline investigations and uncover evidence.
  • Outcome: Improved efficiency in connecting suspects and gathering actionable intelligence for successful law enforcement operations resulting in substantially higher conviction rate.

The Challenge

Law enforcement agencies often face significant hurdles in managing large-scale investigations involving multiple suspects and criminal networks. The challenge intensifies with drug trafficking organizations tied to local gang activity, where connections between suspects and criminal evidence are scattered and poorly documented. These inefficiencies slow down investigations, reduce effectiveness, and increase the risk of missed leads resulting in fewer convictions. These issues highlighted the need for a robust system to document, track, and uncover evidence while mapping criminal connections in a streamlined manner.

The Solution

To address these challenges, the DEA piloted the Qtis system during a 1.5-year-long drug and gang investigation from 2016 to 2018 in Milledgeville, Georgia. Qtis enabled investigators to:
  • Centralize Evidence Management: Store and access evidence in one secure, centralized system.
  • Visualize Criminal Networks: Map out connections between suspects and organizations involved in drug trafficking.
  • Streamline Workflow: Automate documentation processes, reducing manual efforts and improving accuracy.
  • Uncover Actionable Insights: Utilize advanced analytics to highlight patterns and potential leads for further investigation.

Implementation

  • Focus Area: Piloted in Milledgeville, Georgia during a complex drug/gang investigation.
  • Technology: Business intelligence tools for data visualization, analytics, and evidence management.
  • Process:
  1. System Deployment: Installed and configured Qtis within the DEA’s investigative team.
  2. Training: Provided law enforcement personnel with in-depth training on utilizing the system.
  3. Operational Integration: Integrated Qtis into the investigation workflow to track, analyze, and link suspect activities.
QTIS

Results and Impact

  • Faster Case Resolutions: Reduced the time to identify suspect connections and gather evidence.
  • Improved Investigative Accuracy: Enhanced ability to pinpoint key players in criminal networks.
  • Data-Driven Decision-Making: Empowered investigators with actionable insights to drive case strategies.
  • Operational Efficiency: Minimized manual errors and optimized resource allocation during the investigation.
  • Increased Conviction Rate: This case resulted in the highest conviction rate on record for a drug ring investigation.

Key Takeaways

  • Qtis bridges the gap between data collection and actionable intelligence, enabling law enforcement to address complex investigations effectively.
  • Scalable and adaptable: The system’s features can be extended to other jurisdictions and investigation types.
  • Setting a new standard: Qtis has transformed how law enforcement agencies approach evidence management and suspect tracking, proving its effectiveness in real-world applications.

Details of DEA Investigation

During a 1.5-year federal investigation into a drug trafficking operation in Milledgeville, Georgia, the DEA and supporting agencies faced:
  • Disparate and unsearchable case data across individual computers
  • Difficulty linking surveillance data, suspects, and transactions
  • Limited ability to identify patterns or hidden relationships
  • Overwhelming data volume without unified tracking
These limitations made it difficult to build strong, comprehensive cases that could withstand judicial scrutiny.

Implementation

  • Field Use: Qtis was actively used during the investigation to input, tag, and connect data in real time
  • Agencies Involved: DEA, FBI, ATF, IRS, three sheriff’s offices, a local police department, a drug task force, and the National Guard Counter Drugs Unit
  • Evidence Management: All evidence—photos, reports, social media captures, and surveillance footage—was centralized within Qtis for secure, searchable access

Results and Impact

The investigation led to a highly successful outcome:
  • 23 individuals arrested
  • 100% conviction rate
  • 145-year federal sentence for the gang leader
  • Firearms and narcotics (cocaine, meth, heroin) seized
  • 15 guilty pleas with sentences between 18–22 months
Charges included distribution of meth and heroin, firearm possession during drug trafficking, and conspiracy to distribute narcotics. Qtis revolutionized the way federal investigations are conducted:
  • Accelerated intelligence gathering and evidence correlation
  • Improved multi-agency coordination and data security
  • Higher conviction rates through clearer case narratives

Key Capabilities Included:

  • Unified Data Tracking: From addresses, cell-site info, and bank transactions to coded language, subscriber details, and seizure reports
  • Media and Communication Logs: Integration of video/audio surveillance, email records, social media screenshots, and phone logs
  • Relationship Mapping: Automatic connection of individuals, assets, and activities to uncover hidden links
Multi-agency Access: Secure role-based permissions across DEA, FBI, ATF, IRS, National Guard, and local law enforcement