Criminal justice system data

Identified CJS records/databases.

The data generated from CJS records were located within separate databases.

1. CIS. Individual records comprise a number of screens. The front screen for each case contains basic demographic information, flags and warnings as appropriate. The ‘back screens’ for each case provide detail and a rich picture of participants’ interactions with the CJS and other services as reported by police staff. The following fields will be accessed:
   • Subfield 1: nominal menu.
   • Subfield 1: nominal index update main screen.
     • Reason: demographics, PNC warnings and rationale, local warnings and rationale
   • Subfield 2: nominal index update secondary screens.
     • Reason: details of offence/incidents. Free text: report and rationales of arresting.
2. OIS. This system contains the initial detailed logs created by operators and officers following a reported incident. The log is generated from the information that the police call handler obtains from the caller, it is graded and a response is generated. Owing to the level of detail required to be entered into the OIS, inclusion of these data to the data corpus enables the researchers to examine the decision-making processes of the police in their interactions with participants and other professionals within both the CJS and interagency. The OIS represents up to the first 72 hours of any case, after which the case is entered onto the CIS described above. The following fields will be accessed:
   • Subfield 1: AP’s view.
     • Reason: confirming identification (linkage), PNC warning flags (e.g. suicidal, etc.).
   • Subfield 2: associated incidents/persons.
     • Reason: collate number of incidents in research window, rationale for call, real-time log, identification of RPs (including HCPs).
3. NSPIS custody system. This system provides current and archived data relating to individuals who have been through the three custody suites in Cornwall. A proportion of participants may be taken to the custody suite in Plymouth despite being resident in Cornwall dependent on the location of initial interaction with the police. The front screen pertaining to each individual provides a table with basic demographics and rationale for custody (e.g. Section 136 and/or alleged offence). The detention log in the back screens of this system provides a timetable of procedures and context to a range of decision-making processes including authorisation for searches, checks on individuals and calls and logs of requests for examination and advice from medical practitioners with responses . . . The following fields will be accessed:
   • Subfield 1: custody record.
     • Reason: PNC source documents.
   • Subfield 2: custody record front sheet.
     • Reason: initial reason for arrest, place of arrest/custody, circumstances of arrest, demeanour on arrival (substance use, mental state), prior offender.
   • Subfield 2: detention log.
     • Reason: real-time log of custody attendance, medical assessments, interactions with health/medical practitioners, Section 136, disposal.
   • Subfield 2: risk assessment.
     • Reason: mental health issues, risk to self/others.
   • Subfield 1: custody record.
     • Reason: detention management.
   • Subfield 2: national medical form.
     • Reason: HCP assessment of state (physical and mental health), examination and observation completed, medication, risk of self-harm, plan of treatment/referral, plan of observation/rousing, log of HCP movement times.
4. NHRR. This is a spreadsheet-based system. Information is collated for addresses in the 12 policing areas of Cornwall based on repeat calls to addresses (three or more calls to the police in 3-monthly periods). The following fields will be accessed:
   • Subfield 1: location.
     • Reason: neighbourhood.
   • Subfield 1: history of attendance.
     • Reason: number of attendances to address.
   • Subfield 1: risk identified.
     • Reason: risk tendency score, PSP.
   • Subfield 1: underlying issues.
     • Reason: vulnerable person, children aged < 18 years, age-related alcohol misuse, ASB, domestic abuse, disability/medical, drugs, mental health, racial/hate, repeat missing person/truancy, other.
   • Subfield 1: free text.
     • Reason: opinion of reporting officer/main rationale for calls giving rise to inclusion to NHRR, rationale behind/expansion on underlying issues, background to incidents.
5. PNC. Although the three systems used above are routinely used throughout police constabularies across the country, the PNC is the only national database. If the researchers find an incident(s) in OIS or CIS relevant to the research within the 12-month period, an application was made to view that data to the relevant data processing officer from the relevant force.

Health data

Identified NHS records/databases: CFT initiated use of the BT RiO system in August 2010 for all service users with severe and EMHN. RiO is an electronic health record, which captures referral processing, details of assessments and ongoing care. CFT uses RiO to record all interactions with service users, all care plans and all risk assessments. The feasibility study identified a range of folders within the system that would enable the researchers to gain a holistic picture of participants’ access to and interactions with mental health services. Furthermore, it was clear that the level of detail of the combined documents would enable the researchers to answer the research questions. The following list details the folders that have been identified to be included in the data corpus.