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Dissemination Strategy - Current position

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3.6 Dissemination Strategy - Current position

The Consortium has successfully created and developed a communication plan for the project including decisions on what information will be disseminated. Marketing tools like the website are now fully operational and well used and other marketing tools like the creation of a logo, banner, poster, leaflets have all been completed. The first Odyssey Newsletter has also been distributed to the mailing list of over 300 members with future newsletters planned quarterly.

The creation of an initial awareness of the project by potential users has been stimulated and been further developed by Consortium members presenting and attending various workshops and Conferences across Europe to build on the growing approval of the project from stakeholders.

In summary, as of May 2010, Phase 1 and 2 have been completed, with members making significant progress in completing Phase 3.

3.7 Target groups identification

One of Odyssey's main project goals is to create a European Standard for ballistic data collection, storage and sharing across Europe to tackle organised crime and terrorism within borders of the EU. This focus is reflected in Odyssey's target market which is primarily made up of Law Enforcement agencies dealing with ballistics in the European Union.

The target market is already well represented in the project's Consortium. The User Group contains representatives from EU Member States Law Enforcement agencies, as well as EUROPOL.

3.8 Current Technologies

Current ballistics technologies use digital imaging to compare one object such as a cartridge case or bullet to another. The market leader in this field is currently systems produced by Forensic Technology Inc, but there are other systems also being used by European countries. These systems work by placing the object on a platform and shining a light upon it. The object is then captured using a high resolution digital camera. The exception to this is Forensic Technology’s BulletTrax and BrassTrax systems that use a con-focal microscope and laser lighting to measure the surface of an object. Items recovered also have markings that are specific to a particular make and model of weapon. Databases of these markings have been developed and are in operation in Europe.

Example of Technologies

IBIS BulletTrax 3D – Forensic Technology Inc
IBIS BrassTrax 3D – Forensic Technology Inc
EvoFinder – ScannBi Technology
Balscan – Lucient Technology
Arsenal – Papillon Systems
Poisk
Condor
Tias

All ballistics systems currently in use approach ballistics imaging and data capture in very similar ways. However, there are subtle differences in the use of technology and algorithms for data extraction and comparison. The ballistic market is an ever changing environment, with new technologies are entering the market on regular basis as in the case of the new system ALIAS.

3.9 Dissemination Tools

A range of tools have been used in order to disseminate the learning and knowledge from the Odyssey Project including:

Workshops
Conferences
Journal Publications
Press Releases
Press Pack
Newsletters
Promotional Leaflets
Direct Mailings
Website

3.9.1 Conferences, Workshops

In order to raise the awareness of Odyssey, the Consortium have either attended or organised a wide range of conferences and workshops across Europe.

Conferences have been held in a variety of settings from arenas to smaller venues and have been focused upon particular areas of interest; appealing to specific target markets, rather than a general audience. This approach has enabled the targeted audience to see the functions and benefits of Odyssey. Workshops and seminars have been even more specialised, and held on a smaller scale. FPL have been central in developing this approach by working with partners and Law Enforcement agencies across Europe, including ENFSI, to explore the usage of existing standards, as well as work collaboratively to develop new ones.

Conferences of international/national/regional interest have been targeted and each Consortium partner involved in dissemination has defined their own objectives in terms of participation and publication in these conferences. Thus the Consortium regularly submit and present papers about the Odyssey project's objectives and results.

Key functions to these events have been the building up of personal contacts and networking. This has led on to contacts receiving letters and emails updating them on the status of the project and inviting them to attend live demonstrations of the system, as well receiving the Odyssey newsletter.

Consortium members have also attended and evaluated possible competitor displays and demonstrations to see what other products are available. Ultimately this has helped give useful feedback on how the market can be targeted and in turn has facilitated the adaptation of the Dissemination Strategy in response to this information. Brochures, flyers and posters have also been available at these events, with the logo and website address all visible.

The next stage will be to organise a series of test workshops with non-partner EU LEA stakeholders, with the ultimate objective of increasing awareness and support for building the future ODYSSEY take up by creating expectation and finding industries interested in exploiting these results.

Summary Conferences Attended
Conference	Date & Country	Organisation	Further Information
European Academy of Forensic Science Conference	September 2009	FPL	Dissemination of Odyssey project information.
Criminal Justice PhD Conference	October 2009	FPL	Dissemination of Odyssey project information.
Yorkshire & Humber region delivering EU Projects Conference	December 2009	NYP	Dissemination of Odyssey project information.
Europol Homicide Working Group Conference	4th February 2009	FPL & WMP	Dissemination of Odyssey project and inspection of technology.
Straw - Security Priorities in Europe matching needs and responses - FPL	23rd June 2009 Rome	FPL	Dissemination of Odyssey project information.
OTS’2009 - Presentation of Odyssey project to members of NESSI - XLAB	June 2009 Maribor Slovenia	XLAB	Presentation on the Odyssey project.
The 4th European Security Research Conference - SRC09 - SHU	29th - 30th Sept 2009 Stockholm	SHU & NYP	Odyssey Exhibition.
CENTERIS 2009 - Conference on Enterprise Information Systems - SHU	7th - 9th Oct Portugal 2009	SHU	Paper Accepted.
Criminal Justice PhD Conference - FPL	October 2009	FPL	Presentation of Odyssey research.
ENFSI Firearms Working Group Annual Conference – FPL	October 2009	FPL	Presentation of the aims, objectives and progress so far of the Odyssey Project. Also presentation of Jenny Thomas's PhD research plan to the technology manufacturers.
SMAU Conference	October 2009	MIP	Creating awareness about the Odyssey project and its potential.
EIDS www.internet Conference	19th & 20th November 2009 Rome	SHU	Presentation of Odyssey's research outcomes.
Yorkshire in Europe Conference	8th & 9th December 2009	SHU & NYP	Presentation of the objectives of Project Odyssey to a range of participants including European Commission, DG Justice and End Users.
NFC & Mobile Payment Conference	January 2010	XLAB	Creating awareness about the Odyssey project and its potential.
Mobile World Congress 2010 Conference	Feb 2010	MIP	Creating awareness about the Odyssey project and its potential.
Huddersfield University Applied Criminology & forensic science centre Conference	March 2010	FPL	Dissemination of Odyssey information
EU Project Odyssey Conference	March 2010	XLAB	Presentation of the Odyssey project.
Applied Criminology Computing and engineering Forensic science and investigative psychology conference	April 2010	NYP & FPL	Presentation on the Odyssey project at the launch of the research centre.
European Activity tackling organised crime workshop	April 2010	NYP	Meeting / Workshop on EU activity addressing organised crime.
Euroforensics Conference	May 2010	FPL	Dissemination activities and meetings with Law Enforcement and Industrial Experts in the European Forensics field.
Forensic Science Society's Firearms Day Conference	June 2010	FPL	Presentation concerning the research being developed and conducted as part of the Odyssey Project with specific reference to the work on Standardisation.

Summary Networking & Workshops
Meeting	Date & Country	Organisation	Further Information
Visit to BKA - FPL	April 2009	BKA	Visit to BKA (Germany) to meet Users and firearms experts to discuss the user requirements, nature of gun crime in Germany and potential uses for Odyssey in Germany.
Visit to Evofinder - FPL	April 2009	Evofinder	Visit Evofinder (Germany) to ascertain technical approach of their ballistics imaging system, sample data, sample images. Undertake use of technology and observe system in operation.
Visit to Mentar SVO - FPL	April 2009	Mentar SVO	Visit Mentar SVO Prague, Czech Republic to inspect EBIS in operation and ascertain technical platform details.
Visit to Laboratory Imaging SVO - FPL	April 2009	SVO	Visit Martin Sabl (Laboratory Imaging SVO), Prague, Czech Republic to inspect BALSCAN in operation and ascertain technical platform details.
Visit to Institute Krimnalisky - FPL	April 2009	Institute Krimnalisky	Visit Institute Kriminalisky, Prague, Czech Republic to ascertain technical approach of their ballistics imaging system, sample data, sample images. Undertake use of technology and observe system in operation.
Visit to Operation Trident - FPL	April 2009	Met Police	Visit to Operation Trident, Metropolitan Police, London to discuss the User Requirements and problems facing police officers when they are dealing with gun crime and ballistics evidence and intelligence.
Visit to Papillon Systems in Russia - FPL	May 2009	Papillion	Jenny Thomas and Richard Leary from FPL travelled to Miass, Russia to the headquarters of Papillon Systems.
Meeting with Special Agent John Cooper - FPL	May 2009	US Government	Meeting with Special Agent John R. Cooper, Dept of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, United States Government to invite him to join the User Group and obtain his expertise in the use of IBIS (Forensic Technology) in USA.
Meeting with International Association of Chiefs of Talinn Police	May 2009	FPL	Visit to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Tallinn, Estonia re: User Requirements, data sharing and co-operation for interoperability.
Workshop with IRCGN staff - RMA	June 2009	RMA	Workshop with IRCGN staff
Meeting with Mark Mastaglio - FPL	July 2009	FPL	Jenny Thomas and Richard Leary met with Mark Mastaglio who is the Lead Ballistics Scientist for the Forensic Science Service (FSS). The aim of the meeting was to discuss research that we are planning to undertake and potential collaboration with the FSS. In particular, the areas explored were the FSS providing Odyssey with test fired bullets and cartridge cases, providing expertise to the project and providing access to laboratory facilities.
Visit and Presentation to NABIS - FPL	July 2009	NABIS	Jenny Thomas and Richard Leary visited the London NABIS Hub to look at the IBIS Trax equipment and talk to staff about their work practises.
Meeting with FSS - FPL	August 2009	FSS	Discussion to explore the business side of any potential collaboration.
Visit to BKA – SHU & FPL	17th - 18th Aug 2009 Germany	BKA	Visit to BKA (Germany) to meet Users and firearms experts to discuss joint research collaboration in completing a joint technical experiment for the Odyssey Project.
Presentation to ENFSI Firearms Working Group Steering Committee	September 2009	Germany	Presentation
FP7 Security Research Info Day - SHU	15^th September 2009 Brussels	EC	Networking Event
Home Office’s FP7 Security Theme Event - SHU	23rd September 2009 London	UK Home Office	Home Office’s FP7 Security Theme event.
Training with Arsenal – FPL	September 2009	Miass, Russian Federation	Jenny Thomas travelled to Miass, Russia to be trained on the Arsenal ballistics system.
Visit to FTI – Forensic Pathways Limited, Sheffield Hallam University, Met Police, Garda.	6^th – 7^th October 2009 Dublin	FTI	Consortium members from Forensic Pathways, Sheffield Hallam, Met Police and Garda met with Forensic Technology to discuss the project and potential collaboration.
Workshop with French police & gendarmarie	December 2009	RMA	Description of the Odyssey project.
West Yorkshire Police User Study Workshop - SHU & NYP	29th January 2010	WMP	User study workshop.
FP7 Security Project Detector Meeting	February 2010	NYP	A presentation and discussion on projects and ethical issues.
Forensic Pathways Limited Open Day	February 2010	FPL	A presentation on the Odyssey Project.
Improved ballistics data sharing conference - FPL	February 2010	FPL	Invite to assist the Spanish Presidency in gaining a greater understanding of how the treaty of PRUM could be facilitated in terms of crime and ballistics data sharing.
Straw Second Workshop	March 2010	ATOS	This event was aimed at supporting the basis of a European Network on Security.
Odyssey Briefing session for UK National Ballistics Intelligence Service	15th March 2010	WMP	Update Odyssey briefing to Senior Management Team of NABIS.
Odyssey Testing & Exploitation Meeting - WMP	29th April 2010	WMP	Co-ordination meeting for test phase of Odyssey prototype.
Odyssey presentations to Slovene police	April & May 2010	XLAB	Informal presentation of the project.
Visit to Belfast Firearms Centre - SHU	12th May 2010	SHU	To learn the examination process involved with ballistics.
Presentation of Odyssey Platform	June 2010	RMA	Presentation on Odyssey
Speakers Dinner for Forensic Science Society's Firearms Day	June 2010	FPL	Pre-dinner speech on Odyssey
Ballistics evidence - Back to the future workshop	June 2010	FPL	Workshop discussed how ballistics evidence and investigations using this evidence will change after the Odyssey Project is completed.
CCRC Networking Event	22nd July 2010	SHU	Dissemination of information to local businesses about the Odyssey project.

3.9.2 Papers

The Consortium members have also promoted the Odyssey project through papers, articles, promotional material and publications in specialised journals. The objective has always been to obtain greater visibility among potential user and stakeholder communities. Moreover, attention will be paid to the prestige of the selected press channels, preferring the ones considered as sector opinion leaders and specialised in the security fields. The press channel could either be a physical journal or an online version; both should be addressed.

Summary Papers
Paper	Conference Submitted	Date	Further Information
Improving Accuracy & efficiency of forensics analysis and technology Jenny Thomas & Dr Richard Leary European Academy of Forensic Science Conference 2009	ENFSI	September 2009	ABSTRACT The investigation of gun crime has been founded upon the comparison of bullets and cartridge cases recovered during investigations. This has involved experts using microscopy to reveal features unique to a single weapon and class characteristics common to families of weapons that are transferred onto projectiles when a firearm is discharged. Declaring a match between the two, results in an inference that the objects bear marks from the same source. Inferences can therefore be made about links between crimes, suspects, weapons and associated evidence. (Leon, 2006). This process is time consuming, costly and the expertise of examiners is difficult to replicate and standardise across large organisations.
A Pan European Platform for Combating Organised Crime and Terrorism (Odyssey Platform) Babak Akhgar, Simeon Yates, Fazilatur Rahman, Lukasz Jopek, Sarah Johnson Mitchell and Luca Caldarelli	CENTERIS Portugal	7-9th October 2009	ABSTRACT Combating organized crime requires evidence matching and visualization of criminal networks using advanced data mining capabilities. Current approaches only aim to generate static criminal networks rather addressing the issues with the evolution and prediction of the networks, which are inherently dynamic. In this paper we will report on our ongoing research in advanced data mining tools and semantic knowledge extraction techniques. The research of combined semantics and data mining outcomes is the foundation for a platform that captures information that is hidden in the data, and produces applied knowledge.
Semantic Interoperability Between Ballistic Systems Through the Application of Ontology Professor Simeon Yates, Lukasz Jopek, Sarah Johnson Mitchell, Richard Wilson	IADIS www/internet Rome	19-22nd November 2009	ABSTRACT Ballistic systems providers and crime data repositories currently do not effectively share and cross-correlate data from different sources. This paper will focus on the application of ontology-driven technologies to leverage interoperability between heterogeneous systems within a Pan-European Odyssey security project. An integrated data model will facilitate knowledge exchange and intelligence discovery between law enforcement agencies, this will allow information to be used more innovatively.
The Odyssey Platform: A Unified European Response to a Global Threat Professor Simeon Yates, Lukasz Jopek, Sarah Johnson Mitchell, Richard S Wilson and Luca Caldarelli	CEPOL	2009	ABSTRACT Odyssey is a European funded research project that tackles the problem of analysing crime and ballistics data, taken from disparate heterogeneous ballistic systems, across Europe. The variety of systems in operation across Europe has been brought about through each individual country having the autonomy to choose its own ballistics system. At present there is no interoperable way to analyse ballistics data taken from these systems used in each European country. At present it is not possible to collectively analyse ballistics data extracted from the heterogeneous systems currently in use. The Odyssey platform attempts to resolve these issues by the development of (a) interoperable data and (b) interoperable systems. In addition, the project is also exploiting ontologies semantic reasoning and data mining. This paper intends to provide a brief overview of the Odyssey approach. It begins by providing an overview of the technology and goes on to highlight the shortcomings of the current ballistics technologies. The paper concludes with a potential use case scenario that illustrates some of the benefits of the Odyssey platform.
An Application of a Domain-Specific language Facilitating Abstraction and Secure Access to a Crime and Ballistic Data Sharing Platform Lukasz Jopek	IADIS Conference To be submitted November 2010	November 2010	ABSTRACT Crime investigation requires controlled sharing, secure access and formalised reporting on heterogeneous datasets. This paper will focus on encapsulating data structures and services, whilst exposing abstraction, relevant only to the End-User through the application of a domain-specific language. The language is used for all interactions with the platform, enabling non-technical users to build complex queries. The language also increases the platform’s security, by hiding the internal architecture of services and data structures. This solution has been demonstrated to law enforcement communities across Europe as a prototype crime and ballistic data sharing platform.
Sharing Ballistics Data Across the European Union Richard Wilson	IADIS Conference To be submitted November 2010	November 2010	ABSTRACT Across Europe police organisations are using numerous systems, both computerised and manual, to capture information about firearm crimes. The Odyssey platform intends to address this issue by providing police organisations with the ability to access ballistics data from other European law enforcement agencies. The Odyssey platform is a prototype system that has been developed to identify standards for the development of a European wide ballistics information system. In this paper, we outline the investigation tools found within the platform and discuss how these were developed. The prototype has been demonstrated to law enforcement communities across Europe and is in its final stages of development.

3.9.3 Press releases

A key success to project dissemination is ensuring that all relevant audiences are aware of the product. An important part of the Odyssey Dissemination Plan has been to create and use an eclectic range of official press releases for a selection of different targeted audiences.

Certain general guidelines have been agreed by the Consortium in relation to press releases created. The Consortium agreed that any press release, regardless of its publication context, must outline what the system is, what its innovative functionalities are and what its benefits are. It supported the idea that press releases should be in English, however translations undertaken into native languages to boost readership in local magazines would also be welcomed and written in time to overlap with related workshops.

Articles written for magazines aimed at more general audiences have given a higher level overview of the project and used more open and accessible rhetoric, whilst pieces for the more specialised magazines have given much greater level of project detail and depth of facts.

Summary Press Release

Date

Overview

19/11/2009

Sheffield Hallam University hosts kickoff meeting for the Odyssey Project

The Odyssey project was officially launched at Sheffield Hallam University on November the 12th. The project will undertake research to create and develop a secure platform which will identify and track organised criminals and the weapons they use. Part funded by the 7^th European Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, the Odyssey project will span over 30 months.

26/01/2009

Tackling gun crime across Europe
One of the biggest threats facing society today – organised and armed criminal or terrorist gangs - could soon be challenged with the help of a new system being coordinated by Sheffield Hallam University.

Organised crime and terrorism creates a threat that can undermine the democratic and economic basis of societies, resulting in a loss of confidence in the law, and despite Home Office statistics suggesting a fall in gun-related crime in recent years, other sources suggest that gun crimes have doubled since the late 90s, with deeply disturbing figures of a gun crime being committed every 52 minutes being reported by the media.

30/07/2009

City stands firm in the firing line

Sheffield is leading the fight against gun crime and terrorism across Europe. Hallam University is spearheading a CSI style ballistics tracking programme that will enable police forces across the continent to find criminals and terror suspects through the use of weapons and ammunition they use.

05/08/2009

Odyssey and what it means to you
It's one of the biggest threats facing society today and helps organised criminals and terrorists stoke fear in our communities - and that's gun crime.

But that is about to change with the launch of a new pan-European project called Odyssey.

Co-ordinated by Sheffield Hallam University in the UK, the project will see police experts, industrialists, computer scientists and researchers working together to develop a secure interoperable situation awareness platform for the automated management, processing, sharing, analysis and use of ballistics data and crime information to combat organised crime and terrorism.

15/08/2009

Police force joins fight against gun crime
North Yorkshire Police has joined a ground-breaking new project to identify and track organised criminals and terrorists and the weapons they use across Europe.

The project, called Odyssey, will allow agencies to instantly share and cross-reference crime and terrorism evidence by instantly flagging up ballistics data that matches similar crimes around Europe. It means that a single gun used in multiple crimes can be tracked across the continent. The platform will enhance mutual co-operation, security and sustainability across the EU and is supported by EUROPOL.

03/09/2009

Why the days of cross-border gun crime are numbered

A new ballistics information service could help police across Europe track guns used by criminals and terrorists. Here Steve Lumley explains what Odyssey is about.

It's a ground-breaking project which is attracting interest from police forces around Europe and they are all working towards taking guns from criminals and terrorists and, ultimately, off our streets.

Called Odyssey, it's being led by experts at Sheffield Hallam University. It has the grand strap line of: Strategic Pan-European Ballistic Intelligence Platform for Combating Organised Crime and Terrorism.

12/2009

The Crime Fighter's Odyssey
Odyssey is a ground breaking project which is attracting wide interest. The project's main aim is to use modern information technology to support police across Europe in their task of removing guns from criminals and terrorists - and ultimately from our streets.

03/2010

Interview with Chris Bates - New View
Chris Bates is senior lecturer in software engineering and technical lead on the Odyssey project.

What is Odyssey?
Odyssey is an attempt to find a way of unifying data about gun crime from police forces across Europe. There's lots of gun crime across Europe, ranging from homicide, through incidents where a gun is waved around but not necessarily fired, through to incidents including discharge of a gun. The guns that are used in crime in the UK have typically come in from overseas, so there's a need to track guns back and see patterns in crime and movement of guns. At the moment there's no way of sharing that data, so Odyssey is an attempt to show how that data can be shared.

09/2010

On track and looking to the future - C3RI Newsletter
May of this year saw the Odyssey Consortium members come together in Brussels for the eagerly anticipated Midterm review of the project. The team met with both external experts and the European Commission staff.

The objective of the review was to analyse the work of the project and redirect its focus and intervention where necessary. Partners illustrated the journey of the Odyssey project so far with lively presentations and technical demonstrations.

3.9.4 Press Pack

During May 2009 Sheffield Hallam University developed a press pack dedicated to the Odyssey Project. This press was loaded onto the Odyssey website for consortium members and press agencies to download.

3.9.5 Newsletters

The first Odyssey newsletter was distributed in March 2010 and went out either in hard copy or electronic form to over 200 recipients with positive results.

General attributes of the Odyssey Newsletter include news and upcoming events, as well as contact information for general inquiries and information about project events such as meetings, publications and conferences. The aim is for the Odyssey Newsletter to be produced on a quarterly basis.

3.9.6 Direct mailing

Odyssey will provide a public mailing list to which external parties will be able to subscribe and receive updates on Odyssey. This functionality will also be available through RSS feeds that will be published and updated throughout the project's lifecycle on the Odyssey website.

3.9.7 Website

The Odyssey website started up in November 2009 and is available at http://odyssey-project.eu and is fully functional as a tool to obtain information about the Odyssey Project and is an important element in the Dissemination Plan, acting as a first contact communication tool and main information resource. The website is also regularly updated in response to new and developing news on the project and partner activities.

3.9.8 Exhibition Stand

For the SCR09 Conference in Stockholm Sweden, in October 2009 the Odyssey team developed an exhibition stand to be used at this and future conferences.

Exhibition Stand SRC09

3.9.9 Odyssey logo

A new logo was developed during the first months of the project and this is the Official Odyssey Logo. It is used on both internal and external documents.

Official Odyssey Logo