Feb 17th, 2009
Missing Children iPhone Application
Data forensics expert and iPhone developer Jonathan Zdziarski has created an Amber Alert iPhone application to assist in finding missing children. Utilizing the GPS function built into the iPhone, it helps alert local law enforcement when a missing child has been spotted.
The app lists all current, active AMBER alerts with a small photo of the victim. Clicking one of the alerts brings up detailed information about the abduction, including physical description, last known whereabouts, and details and photos of suspects (if any). A "Report Sighting" button allows you to report a sighting of a victim or suspects along with your current GPS coordinates. This information is analyzed for accuracy and forwarded to the investigating state patrol agency that issued the AMBER alert.
"The iPhone is ideal for not only disseminating [the alert] information, but also for its GPS, which can allow us to aggregate multiple sightings together to assess credibility and to also build better reporting logic to the state police conducting these investigations," according to Zdziarksi.
The application will be free for download as soon as it is approved by Apple.