Monthly Archives

October 2022

Entities – Add Person

by robAdmin

A Person entity can be added as a specialized note.

When added, the entity will also show up in the “Entities” section available on the main side menu.

To add an entity, go to:

“Add Specialized Note > Person Entity” option.

Add Specialized Note - Person Entity

Select the type of Entity you want to add…

Person Entity Types

Upload one or more images of the person.

This can include a picture of the person (if legally allowed) or pictures of their ID.

Entity Images
Entity Name and ID

When you edit an entity, Forensic Notes will create a new note to document the changes you made.

Location & Weather

by robAdmin
Forensic Notes makes it easy to add your current location and weather.
 
From the “Add Specialized Note” option, click on “Location & Weather”.
Add Specialized Note
Map

When you add your location to your notes, it will include the following:

  • Latitude / longitude coordinates
  • Satellite view (approx. 75-meter / 246 feet radius)
  • Map view (approx. 2 kilometer / 1.2 mile radius)

Asset Management

by robAdmin
Manage software assets, including:
 
  • License Type
  • Purchase Date
  • Annual Support Fee
  • Licensing Cost
  • Dongle information
Asset Management
Asset Management Menu
Asset Management - Software Details

Manage software dongles.

Asset Management - Software Dongle Details

Contacts

by robAdmin

Contact sections include:

  • External Contacts
  • Internal Contacts
External Contacts

External Contacts

Click phone # to call

Internal Contacts

IMPORTANT - CMS Configuration

The Case Management System (CMS) configuration will determine how each section of contacts is used.

Private Industry CMS

Internal Contacts:

Will not be used in the CMS and can be used as a contact list for all internal employees within your organization.

External Contacts:

Will match the organizations and contacts used within the CMS.

Law Enforcement CMS

External Contacts:
 
Will not be used in the CMS and can be used as a contact list for all external organizations your organization works with.
 
Internal Contacts:
 
Will be used as options for the “Requesting” and Lead” Investigators.
 
 
Law Enforcement - Add Work Request

Entities

by robAdmin

The Entity section lists all “Person” records added to notes using the

“Add Specialized Note > Person Entity” option.

Add Specialized Note - Person Entity

This allows you to see all entities entered into the application and find the note where it was entered.

Person Entities

If you click on “View Entity in Notebook”. The application will load the notebook and scroll to the note.

View Entity in Notebook

If you click on “View Entity in Notebook”, the app will open the notebook and scroll to the latest version of the entity. The note will also be highlighted with a yellow border allowing you to find the information you need.

View Entity in Detail
Highlighted Entity

Edit Entity

When you “Edit” an entity, the original information remains while a new note is created that will include any of the changes made.

This allows you to know what information you knew at the time of the note while still allowing the entity to be updated.

Edit Entity Menu Option

If you return to the Entities page, Edward’s record will be updated to include the latest information.

Updated Person Entity

Case Management System (CMS)

by robAdmin
CMS - Mobile Device

Keep notes and exhibits organized in one place.

CMS in Notebook

CMS Settings & Options

Forensic Notes Case Management System (CMS) is designed to help keep your investigations organized.

The CMS can be set up for either:

  1. Private Industry
  2. Law Enforcement

Depending on the above selection, the structure of your CMS will be as follows:

Private Industry:

  1. Client
  2. File
  3. Section
  4. Work Request
  5. Exhibit
  6. Exhibit Details

Law Enforcement Agency:

  1. Project
  2. Incident #
  3. Department
  4. Work Request
  5. Exhibit
  6. Exhibit Details
CMS Settings Menu

Team Notebooks – App Interface Overview

by robAdmin
Notebooks that have been created by other team members will be displayed in the Team Notebooks section.
Team Notebooks
Team Notebooks - Menu Options

Additional Information

Download Forensic Notebook or Note

by robAdmin

Our goal is to provide transparency, accountability, and trust in the information you enter.

Our Full-Disclosure package provides the essential information the courts need. This includes all versions of notes, original attachments and metadata to show when it was recorded.

If you want to review your notebook  or note, you can download the PDF Only version. But if disclosing your evidence to the courts, you will want to provide the Full-Disclosure package.

Download Forensic Notebook Dialog

Common FAQ's

What is the format of a Forensic Note or Notebook?

Forensic Notes and Notebooks are in PDF format so they are readable on any device capable of viewing PDF documents.

Each Forensic Note and Notebook is also:

  • Embedded with a digital Timestamp issued by an Independent and Trusted Timestamping Authority (TSA).
  • Digitally Signed
  • Entered into our Private Blockchain

Both can be downloaded within a password-protected ZIP archive to help ensure the security of your private information.

Should I use the same password for downloading my Forensic Notes as my login credentials?

 The simple answer is: NO!
 
You should always keep your login credentials safe & secure using a complex password and never use it for other sites or downloads within Forensic Notes.

How do I extract the files from the downloaded ZIP file?

Please refer to the following article:

 

Mac Users
Opening & Viewing ZIP Files

Forensic Notebooks & Notes are typically downloaded in a password protected ZIP file.  Unfortunately, Mac O/S does not natively open password protected ZIP files.

The error provided by the Mac O/S can be vague making it seem like the download was corrupted.

The solution is to use 3rd party software.  For a FREE option, we suggest Keka.

Mark Notebook as Deleted

by robAdmin

Our goal is to provide transparency, accountability, and trust in the information you enter.

As a result, the ability to delete notes and notebooks is restricted unless a specific request is made. This helps to protect against allegations from an opposing party that you deleted information from the system.

To hide this note from your view, you can “Mark Notebook as Deleted”.

If you need to recover this notebook in the future, please contact support.

Delete Notebook Dialog

Quick Add – Notes & Attachments

by robAdmin
 Notebooks that you have created will be displayed in the My Notebooks section and have the option to quickly add notes and attachments.
Notebook Menu

Quick Add

Add notes and attachments (pictures, videos, files) to your notebook without opening the notebook.

Note - Quick Add

Full function editor allowing you to add formatted notes or use templates (ALT+T).

Quick Add - Note

Attachment - Quick Add

You can drag/drop images, browse your hard-drive or take a picture or video without needing to load the notebook.

This feature allows you to quickly add notes when in a hurry.

Quick Add Attachment

Attachments will upload and automatically be added to the notebook selected.

Quick Add Attachment - Success

Now if you go into your notebook, you will see the attachments you added with the Quick Add feature.

Quick Add Attachments - In Notebook

Home – App Interface Overview

by robAdmin
Home section will be developed to include:
  • Quick links to active cases
  • Calendars showing events bookmarked in notes 

Disable User

by robAdmin

ADMIN’s have the ability to manage all team members in the “Team Management” section. 

This includes the ability to Disable Users.

Profile & Settings Menu Option
Disable User

The user’s access will be instantly disabled.

Disabled User Alert
The menu for the user will change to only include “Enable User”.
Disabled User Menu - Enable User
The menu for the user will change to only include “Enable User”.
And the user will be ‘greyed’ out in the main list of users.

Change MFA Phone Number

by robAdmin

ADMIN’s have the ability to manage all team members in the “Team Management” section. 

This includes the ability to reset passwords.

Profile & Settings Menu Option
Change MFA Phone Number

Enter the new cellphone number associated to the user…

The users’ cell phone number will be changed to the number entered.
 
You should now notify the user that their MFA # has changed.

Reset Password

by robAdmin

ADMIN’s have the ability to manage all team members in the “Team Management” section. 

This includes the ability to reset passwords.

Profile & Settings Menu Option
Reset Password - Team

Confirm that you want to reset the users password…

Reset Password Confirmation

The users’ password will be reset.

A new temporary password will be sent to the user via Text Message. They will need to use this password the next time they log in to Forensic Notes.

When they log in, they will be required to change their password to a more secure password.

Reset Password - SMS Temp

Also, the user will receive an email advising them of the password reset.

This not only notifies the user, but also allows them to verify that the phone number is correct.

Email Temp Password Information

All ADMIN users will also be notified of the Password Reset for security purposes.

ADMIN Email - Security Password Reset

Profile

by robAdmin

Profile settings page is available to all users.

Profile & Settings Menu Option
Profile Settings Page
Profile Settings

Upgrade App

by robAdmin
Forensic Notes is upgraded on a regular basis to fix bugs and bring you new and exciting features.
 
When logged into your account, the app will display the following dialog when a new version is available.
New Version Available

Click “OK” to install the latest version.

Advised To Upgrade by Support

If you have been advised to upgrade your app by support, please do the following to force your app to get the latest version.
 
  1. Open main menu in app
  2. Click on “Get Latest Version”
Get Latest Version
The app will refresh the page. 
 
At this point, the new app has not installed, but simply put in a request to our server to download the latest version.
 
Do nothing!
 
The app will download, but only install once no user activity is detected. This can take a minute or two depending on your internet connection.
 
If a new version is available, you will see the upgrade dialog discussed above.
New Version Available

Team Member Access Rights

by robAdmin
A team member can either be:
  • ADMIN
  • Regular
 
ADMIN Member
 
Full account access to:
  • Add/remove team members
  • Change access rights
  • Reset passwords
  • Change MFA phone #’s
  • View all notebooks
  • View audit logs
 
Regular Member
 
Only able to view their own notebooks.

Change User Access Rights

Profile & Settings Menu Option
Change to Admin User

Once you decide to change the Access Rights of a team member, you will confirm your decision.

To reverse this action and change an ADMIN user to a Regular team member, follow the same steps, except now, select “Change to Regular User”.

Change to Regular User

Invite Team Members

by robAdmin
Invite other Team members to your Forensic Notes account.
 
This will allow you and your team to share and collaborate during investigations.
 

Team Settings Menu

Profile & Settings Menu Option
Add Team Members option
Add Team Member Form
Email Domain Security Setting

Team Invite Process

Once you create a user, this will cause the following events to occur.
 

1) Email sent to the new Team Member

The email advises the new Team member that they have been invited to the Team account. The email will not include their temporary password which is sent in a separate text message.

Invite Email

2) Text Message sent to new Team Member

The text message will provide the new Team member with their temporary password. They will use this temporary password to log in before they are forced to change the password.

New Team Member - Log In Process

New Team members will be required to change their temporary password the first time they log in to a more complex password.

Enter email address and temporary password at:

https://app.forensicnotes.com

Sign In Process - New Team Member

Re-enter temporary password and new password (x2) to change temporary password.

Change Temp Password

Complete sign-in process by sending your MFA code sent via text message or phone call and then enter the code received. 

Send MFA Validation Code via Text Message or Phone Call

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