Supporting Trusted Recognition and Interpretation of Data from Events to Enhance Fusion Center and Law Enforcement Insights
Download the Year 6 project summary.
So What?
Suspicious activity reports frequently lack clarity and consistency, making it difficult for analysts to identify threats quickly while protecting civil liberties. Improving how reports are collected, displayed, and interpreted strengthens Fusion Center and law enforcement decision-making.
Project Summary
The project develops a validated national question set, user-friendly interfaces, and training resources that improve the quality of suspicious activity reporting. By combining stakeholder input, prototype testing, and education, it ensures analysts receive clearer, more actionable information to support timely and appropriate responses.
Purpose/Objectives
The aim is to enhance the reliability, interpretability, and trustworthiness of data flowing from the public and first responders to analysts. Objectives include refining intake questions, building smarter display tools, testing analyst comprehension, and creating toolkits and training for adoption nationwide.
Method
The project proceeds in four phases: (1) interviews with public safety stakeholders to map intake and analysis gaps; (2) design and testing of a national survey and exploration of next-generation technologies; (3) development and analyst testing of interface prototypes; and (4) synthesis into practical toolkits and recommendations for operators.
Outputs and Impact
- Identify interface and display patterns that measurably improve analyst comprehension and decision-making.
- Core national question set that improves upon legacy forms with options to tailor to specific end-users.
- Road-mapped next-gen technologies (chatbot-mediated engagement, agentic web infrastructure) with recommendations for responsible, privacy-aligned adoption.
Research Team
Erin Kearns, Ph.D.
- University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Associate Professor, Head of Prevention Research Initiatives at NCITE
- School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Expertise: Relationship between public perceptions of terrorism and counterterrorism practices, relationship between communities and law enforcement
Joel Elson, Ph.D.
- University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Assistant Professor, NCITE Head of Information Science & Technology Research Initiatives
- College of Information Science and Technology
- Expertise: Human-machine teaming, spatial computing, and terrorism
Tin Nguyen, Ph.D.
- University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Assistant Professor, NCITE Senior Research Associate and Technology Transition Lead
- College of Business Administration
- Expertise: Technology transition, industrial-organizational psychology