Mobile Data Collection in Governance, Justice, Law and Order: Real-World Applications

How Does Mobile Data Collection Work?

Below is a step-by-step breakdown of how mobile data collection generally works. We have also included some of the tools used at each stage of the process:

1. Form Design: Creating Flexible and Dynamic Digital Forms

With survey-authoring tools, organizations can create digital forms tailored to capture a variety of data types, from text and GPS coordinates to barcodes, images, and even voice recordings.

These tools assist in designing, testing, and deploying digital forms efficiently.

Some tools used in form design include:

1. XLSForms – A form design standard supported by Excel and compatible with ODK, KoboToolbox, and CommCare.
2. ODK Build – Form building tool designed for Open Data Kit users.
3. Kobo Form Builder – Simplified visual form creator for KoboToolbox.
4. SurveyCTO Designer – Enterprise-grade form-building with conditional logic.
5. Google Forms – Basic web-based form creation tool.
6. Magpi Forms – Mobile-friendly form designer for surveys and data collection.

Using digital survey platforms, businesses can design adaptable forms to collect various data such as text, geographical location, barcodes, visual content, and voice input. Picture/Courtesy

2. Data Collection: Capturing Data on Mobile Devices

Mobile data collection tools offer a range of functionalities, including barcode scanning, GPS tracking, image capture, voice-to-text input, and digital signatures.

Mobile tools can also capture data offline for later synchronization with a server.

Some of the tools used to collect data using mobile devices include:

1. ODK Collect – ODK Collect, an open-source mobile app, allows for offline data collection.
2. KoboCollect – KoboToolbox Mobile app for data collection.
3. SurveyCTO Collect – Offers secure data collection, even offline.
4. Survey123 by Esri – This is a GIS-enabled app for collecting geospatial data.
5. CommCare – provides mobile case management for health and humanitarian initiatives.
6. TaroWorks – Salesforce-integrated data collection tool.
7. Magpi+ – Supports multimedia data input.
8. Dimagi CommCare – Offers longitudinal tracking and case management.

3. Offline Data Collection: Capturing Data Without Internet Access

A key benefit of mobile data collection tools is their ability to store data offline and sync it automatically when an internet connection becomes available.

Some of the tools for offline data collection include:

1. ODK Collect – Stores responses offline and syncs later to a cloud server.
2. KoboCollect – Stores responses offline and syncs later to a cloud server.
3. Magpi+ – Designed for low-bandwidth regions.
4. TaroWorks – Works offline and syncs with Salesforce CRM.
5. CommCare – Enables offline case tracking for healthcare and NGOs.
6. Surveys on Tab – Offline-first solution for market and corporate surveys.

Mobile data collection tools store data offline and sync it automatically to a cloud server once an internet connection becomes available. Picture/Courtesy

4. Data Synchronization: Uploading & Syncing Data to the Cloud

When an internet connection is established, mobile data collection tools automatically sync the captured data to a centralized cloud or on-premise servers for processing.

Some of the tools for data synchronization include:

1. ODK Central – Stores and manages synchronized data.
2. ODK Aggregate – Stores and manages synchronized data.
3. KoboToolbox Servers – Stores and manages synchronized data.
4. Google Sheets API – Auto-syncs data to spreadsheets for easy access.
5. RedCap – Secure data management for research and healthcare projects.
6. ODK Cloud, Microsoft Azure, AWS S3, Digital Ocean, Google Cloud – Secure cloud-based data storage solutions.

5. Data Management: Cleaning, Processing, and Storing Data

After collection, the data must be cleaned, processed, and organized for analysis and decision-making.

Some of the tools for data management include:

1. Microsoft Excel & Google Sheets – Used for basic data cleaning and filtering.
2. Power BI – Dashboard creation and business intelligence reporting.
3. Python & R – Advanced data processing and analytics.
4. Tableau – Data visualization and storytelling.
5. QGIS – GIS software for geospatial data mapping.
6. Google BigQuery – Cloud-based big data warehousing.

Data processing empowers law enforcement and justice systems to gain critical insights from vast datasets, improving investigations, crime prevention, and public safety. Picture/Courtesy

6. Reporting & Action: Analyzing Data for Decision-Making

After data is collected and processed, organizations generate reports, visualize insights, and automate decision-making processes.

Some of the tools for reporting & action include:

1. Microsoft Power BI – Interactive data visualization and reporting.
2. Google Data Studio – a Cloud-based business intelligence platform.
3. Tableau – Advanced analytics and visualization.
4. SPSS & Stata – Statistical tools for complex data analysis.
5. QGIS – GIS mapping and spatial analytics.
6. Looker (Google Cloud) – Data-driven business intelligence platform.

Although mobile data collection can take time to learn and implement, expert training significantly accelerates the learning process and helps you get up to speed quickly.

Case Studies on the Successful Implementation of Mobile Data Collection in Governance, Justice, Law, and Order

1. KoBoToolbox for Monitoring Municipal Construction in Burkina Faso – The KfW Development Bank

Burkina Faso’s municipal structure is characterized by a system of communes, which serve as the basic unit of local government.

These communes are set up in both urban and rural areas to promote local development and governance.

KfW Development Bank, a division of a German state-owned bank, supports government decentralization to empower local communities.

The bank is, therefore, actively building Burkinabe municipalities with projects like the construction of municipal buildings, including schools, health centers, and markets.

Project Details

1. While infrastructure helps meet local community needs and assists the regional economy, the widespread distribution of these construction sites posed significant challenges in monitoring progress effectively.
2. KfW implemented KoBoToolbox, an open-source digital data collection and management system in 2021.
3. This tool allows for the entry and organization of various data types, including photographs, facilitating remote monitoring of construction activities.
4. Consultants or local project managers captured images of construction sites using standard smartphones.
5. They then compiled reports adhering to predefined criteria and structures, uploading both images and reports into KoBoToolbox.

Challenges Before the Adoption of KoBoToolbox For Government Infrastructure Monitoring in Burkina Faso

1. Sites were scattered nationwide, complicating on-site supervision.
2. Tense security situations further hindered regular site visits.​

The issues above led to delays in information flow and increased the risk of inaccuracies in progress reporting.

A busy marketplace at Yako, a commune of Passoré Province in north central Burkina Faso. Picture/Courtesy

Key Benefits After the Adoption of Mobile Data Collection

1. Geo-referenced, date- and time-stamped imagery prevents the misuse of photographs from different sites.
2. Remote data collection reduces the need for frequent site visits, saving time and resources.
3. Timely and reliable data supports better communication with implementing entities and facilitates prompt resolution of issues.

Source

KfW remote project management with KoBoToolbox – Development and Cooperation (D+C)

2. Drone Technology in Law Enforcement – Alameda County Sheriff’s Office

Alameda County is located in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, United States.

Like many areas in the United States, it faces a significant drug problem, particularly concerning the opioid crisis.

Local law enforcement has intensified efforts to secure major ports, airports, and interstate highways, which act as key transportation corridors for the movement of illicit drugs.

Project Details

1. In December 2014, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) acquired two drones to enhance its law enforcement operations, including drug enforcement.
2. Drones offer real-time aerial views of target locations, allowing officers to assess situations before initiating action.
3. During one such raid, the Alameda County Sheriff’s drone recorded suspects fleeing a property, capturing them discarding drugs and a firearm.
4. Drone surveillance recorded a suspect’s attempt to evade arrest by changing clothes and fleeing into bushes, leading to his arrest.

Challenges Before the Adoption of Drones in Law Enforcement Operations

1. Without real-time aerial intelligence, officers were at increased risk during operations, especially in unfamiliar or hazardous environments.
2. Deploying ground units for reconnaissance was time-consuming and resource-intensive, often delaying response times.

A law enforcement officer from Pennsylvania deploys a drone on a routine security operation. Picture/Courtesy

Key Benefits After the Adoption of Drones

1. High-resolution cameras and sensors on drones enable the collection of visual evidence without alerting suspects, preserving the integrity of investigations.
2. Aerial data assists in coming up with strategic approaches to raids, ensuring optimal positioning of personnel and resources.
3. Drones reduce the need for officers to enter potentially dangerous situations without prior knowledge, thereby decreasing the risk of injury.
4. Enhanced law enforcement capabilities contribute to improved public safety and crime reduction.

Source

Drones in Tactical Crisis Response – Police Chief

3. GIS Data Collection for Enhanced Land Governance in Vihiga County, Kenya

Vihiga County, located in western Kenya, is characterized by its lush, green landscapes and rolling hills.

Known for its agricultural productivity, the county is home to the Maragoli people, a sub-group of the larger Luhya community.

Despite its natural beauty and agricultural potential, Vihiga County faces challenges related to population density, access to social amenities, and infrastructure development.

Project Details

1. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive solution, Vihiga County initiated the adoption of GIS technology to enhance data collection and analysis.
2. GIS data was used in the mapping of health facilities, early childhood development centers, and other critical infrastructure to create an accurate spatial database.
3. Partnerships with organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Union (EU) provided technical support and resources for the project.

Challenges Before the Adoption of GIS for Governance in Vihiga County

1. Manual record-keeping led to inconsistencies and disputes over land ownership and boundaries.
2. The absence of spatial data hindered effective planning and allocation of resources for development projects.
3. Without precise geographic data, policymakers struggled to make informed decisions regarding land use and environmental management.

GIS offers effective governance by enabling spatial analysis and decision-making to optimize land use, manage resources, and ensure sustainable urban and rural development. Picture/Courtesy

Key Benefits After the Adoption of GIS 

1. Accurate mapping of health facilities and educational centers facilitated better planning and allocation of resources, leading to improved public services. ​
2. Access to reliable spatial data enabled policymakers to make evidence-based decisions regarding land use, environmental conservation, and infrastructure development.
3. Digital records reduced discrepancies and increased transparency in land transactions, thereby minimizing disputes and fostering trust among residents.

Source

A New Era of Data-Driven Land Governance: Kenya Embraces GIS Technology – Food and Agriculture (FAO)

4. SMS-Based Crime Reporting by the Philippines National Police

In 2002, the Philippines National Police (PNP) launched an SMS-based system to enable citizens to report crimes and police misconduct via text messages.

This initiative aimed to leverage the widespread use of mobile phones in the Philippines to enhance transparency and accountability within law enforcement.

Project Details

1. Citizens could send text messages to designated numbers for urgent security appeals.
2. While citizens could report information about criminal activity, they could also highlight instances of abuse, corruption, or inefficiency among police officers.

​

Challenges Before the Adoption of SMS in Philippine Law Enforcement

1. Mobile phones made crime reporting more accessible to the wider population.
2. The system provided a confidential channel for citizens to report crimes and misconduct without fear of retaliation.
3. Streamlined communication facilitated quicker evaluation and action on reports.
4. Encouraging citizen participation fostered a collaborative approach to law enforcement and accountability.

SMS alert systems empower Filipinos to report crimes rapidly and enable police to act, leading to quicker response times and enhanced community safety. Picture/Courtesy

Key Benefits After the Adoption of SMS

1. The general public gained a secure and convenient method to report crimes and misconduct for quick justice.
2. The police service received timely information to address criminal activities and internal issues, enhancing overall effectiveness.
3. Streamlined communication facilitated quicker evaluation and action on reports.
4. Encouraging citizen participation fostered a collaborative approach to law enforcement and accountability.

Source

Text 2920/117: Reporting Police Wrongdoing via SMS in the Philippines – eGovernment For Development

Also read: Mobile Data Collection in Gender and Youth Programs: Social Service Success Stories

5. Implementing Open Data Kit (ODK) for Wildlife Conservation in Tanzania – Jane Goodall Institute

The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is a global community conservation organization founded by Dr. Jane Goodall in 1977.

Its work in Tanzania is deeply rooted in Dr. Jane Goodall’s pioneering research at Gombe Stream National Park, where she began her groundbreaking studies of chimpanzees in 1960.

Today, the institute continues to conduct vital chimpanzee research at the Gombe Stream Research Center in Tanzania’s Kigoma region, contributing to our understanding of these primates.

Tanzania’s government also prioritizes wildlife conservation as a key policy to safeguard its vital tourism sector.

Project Details

1. The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) began utilizing Open Data Kit (ODK) in 2015 to enhance data collection and management in their conservation projects across Tanzania and Uganda.
2. JGI empowered local communities to monitor and manage their lands by using smartphones and tablets equipped with ODK.
3. In collaboration with law enforcement and organizations like the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), community members used ODK to collect data on wildlife populations and human activities within Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs).
4. This facilitated efficient data collection on forest conditions and wildlife sightings.

Challenges Before the Adoption of Mobile Data Collection in Wildlife Conservation

1. Conservationists and community members relied on paper-based methods, leading to data inconsistencies and difficulties in data consolidation.
2. The manual nature of data entry resulted in slow processing times, hindering timely decision-making and responsive conservation actions.
3. Collecting and managing data manually was labor-intensive and required substantial resources, limiting the scope and efficiency of conservation projects.

A female tourist enjoys a game drive inside the Tarangire National Park in Tanzania. Picture/Courtesy

Key Benefits After the Adoption of Mobile Data Collection

1. Digital data entry minimizes errors associated with manual recording, leading to more reliable datasets for analysis.
2. ODK facilitated the immediate transmission of collected data to centralized databases, enabling prompt analysis and decision-making.
3. Automating data collection reduced the need for extensive manpower and resources, allowing conservation organizations to allocate funds more effectively.​
4. Training local communities to use ODK tools fostered a sense of ownership and active participation in conservation efforts.
5. Enhanced involvement in conservation activities led to improved livelihoods and strengthened community-based resource management.
6. Access to accurate and timely data improved the effectiveness of conservation strategies and policy-making.

Source

Introducing Advanced Application Technology to African Wildlife Conservation – Odk.org