Statement of the Problem:
Prior to 2002, the State of Tennessee did not have a system to both analyze all of the contributing factors in the DUI prosecution chain and to predict the probability of DUI recidivism. These analyses would be vital for the knowledge base and training of law officers, District Attorneys, judges and the State Highway Patrol to combat this crime. Additionally, a ubiquitous system was need for tracking cases for DUI offenders.
Goal:
In 2002, researchers at The University of Memphis determined that a system with every conceivable detail of the DUI prosecution chain must be developed. This would provide an exhaustive canon of data from which many questions could be answered. Additionally, the system should be accessible by a wide variety of users and platforms and offer updates and reports instantly. The end users (both law enforcement and administrative) would need arrestee demographic, vehicle, agency, sobriety test, pre and post stop behavior, court, charge, treatment, and training information; concisely, the system should contain all of the information from arrest through treatment/punishment.
Time constraints with a new system such as this would be constrained by the constantly changing landscape of “technology standards” and the slow user adoption of technology. It is common knowledge that problems must be diagnosed before effective interventions can be deployed. The researchers at The University of Memphis concluded that a web-based (for broad user compatibility), enterprise-level (for high security and availability) application would provide all of the necessary features of the system. Additionally, this system, with real-time updates and reports, would be able to improve the training and communication for both law enforcement officials and the judiciary in a timely manner.
The goal of the state officials, the Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office, and the Administrative Office of the Courts was to utilize a solution that would analyze their both their grant supported DUI law enforcement/judiciary programs and their training and technology development programs. Through this systematic analysis, these agencies would be able to diagnose problems and validate current programs.
Strategies and Activities:
Dr. Richard McCowen at The University of Memphis designed and implemented the DUI Behavioral Tracking System (a.k.a., the DUI Tracker) a web-based system that met all of the above requirements. Charlie McConnell and Dr. William Dwyer, also at The University of Memphis, provided the pilot court opportunity at the 13th District Attorney Office. In cooperation with the 13th Judicial District and both active and retired law enforcement officials, these researchers determined the base set of elements to be included in the system. Once Dr. McCowen constructed the system, the Tennessee GHSO Director requested all grant-funded District Attorneys to participate DUI Tracker data entry in order to provide enough data for sound problem diagnosis. In order to gain greater Law Enforcement cooperation, the Law Enforcement Liaison network was used to encourage DUI Tracker participation. In addition to providing comprehensive training documentation, the system also allows the GHSO to determine performance-based measures on some of their 402 Federal Highway fund grants.
Results:
To date, the DUI Behavioral Tracking System is yielding a wide variety of results due to having over 20,000 cases entered. Currently, there are between 8,000 to 10,000 cases entered every year. In addition to the judges, law enforcement officials, and DA’s having quick access to pending citations and past adjudication outcomes, they also have the means to determine case outcomes based on the primary and secondary arrest variables. This system allows all agencies to analyze both treatment and recidivism rates. Additionally, researchers at The University of Memphis have discovered variables in the DUI prosecution chain that predict conviction and acquittal. One surprising characteristic found in Tennessee was the irrelevance of DUI-related crashes on case outcomes.
Through the data received and analyzed to date, the Tennessee GHSO has been able to both recommend and strengthen their law enforcement officer and court official training programs. As an example, it demonstrated a need to concentrate training on NHTSA’s 24 pre-stop behaviors in order to increase the probable cause for arrest. The combination of all resources has demonstrated an increasing trend of convictions for both first time and multiple DUI offenders in the districts utilizing the DUI Tracker. Several research papers are currently under scientific review and are available upon request in the event that other states wish to utilize the DUI Tracker.
Cost:
Less than $500,000 of 402 funds has been utilized to support and aid in the training for the DUI Tracker. Additional funds have been used to demonstrate and encourage usage through local LEL Network meetings.
Contacts:
Dr. Richard McCowen
Research Assistant Professor
The University of Memphis
202 Psychology Bldg.
Memphis, TN 38512
901-678-3795 (work)
rmccowen@memphis.edu
Mr. Bob Richie
Grant Manager,
Governor’s Highway Safety Office
505 Deaderick St, Suite 1800
Nashville, TN 37243
615-253-5522 (work)
Bob.richie@state.tn.us
Erick J Moran
Southeast Region
September 12, 2006