Defence Force enlists SHIRLOC for detective work
The Department of Defence has announced that its R&D division, the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), has developed a PDA device that could soon be used to give personnel in the field better local information.
The Synchronised Handheld Information & Local Observation Collator (SHIRLOC) was developed by the DSTO for Australian troops to use in East Timor.
The SHIRLOC device
Credit: Defence Science and Technology Organisation
The device is designed for use on peacekeeping and law and order operations, such as those underway in Timor-Leste, and allows troops on the ground to compile and share data on local criminal elements and gangs.
"shirloc consists="" of="" a="" database="" with="" large="" number="" records="" that="" can="" be="" readily="" referenced="" during="" patrols,="" providing="" soldiers="" an="" enormous="" amount="" information="" not="" previously="" accessible,"="" dr="" nanda="" nandagopal,="" acting="" chief="" defence="" scientist,="" said="" in="" statement.<="" p="">The handheld database enables personnel to conduct cross-referenced searches on people of interest, providing links to associated individuals, groups, locations, events and even vehicles.
An accompanying report released by the DSTO described the processes facilitated by the SHIRLOC as "a big advance on previous ad hoc practices of record-keeping using unstructured Excel spreadsheets".
Nandagopal described the field trial in Timor as a success and said the "capability could be extended to other theatres of operation".
According to the DSTO, use of the technology has already been requested by personnel working in other areas of active deployment.