How Customization and 'Query by Scan' Drive Efficiency

The Testimony of Kerry Andrews, Supervisor, Dallas County Sheriff's Department

In the world of property and evidence management, where chain of custody and stringent compliance are non-negotiable, the software powering daily operations must be more than just a digital ledger. It must be an adaptable, powerful partner. This philosophy is perfectly embodied by the relationship between the Dallas County Sheriff's Department and EvidenceOnQ, as highlighted by Supervisor Kerry Andrews.

A long-time user of the system since 2017, Mr. Andrews provided compelling insight into the features that transform complex, high-volume tasks into streamlined workflows.

1. The Necessity of Adaptable Software: Customization is Control

A common pain point in public safety technology is the one-size-fits-all solution, which often forces departments to abandon efficient processes to suit the software. Kerry Andrews notes that the core strength of EvidenceOnQ lies in its adaptability:

"One of the best things about EvidenceOnQ is the overall control it gives the user... I value the fact that I can truly customize it. If I need a box for a specific, unique item, I can create that box. I'm the one that gets to create that, and I put it in the position where I want to put it. 

For a large department dealing with diverse types of evidence, the ability to tailor the system to specialized evidence categories or unique storage requirements ensures consistency and prevents the creation of administrative bottlenecks. This user-driven customization empowers supervisors to design processes that align perfectly with their departmental policies, rather than compromising them.

2. Transforming Daily Inventory with 'Query by Scan'

Efficiency, particularly with high-volume evidence such as firearms, is often measured in minutes saved per transaction. The Query by Scan feature is the technology that delivers this daily operational gain.

As Mr. Andrews explains, this tool eliminates the need for manual, page-by-page verification—a tedious, error-prone task—and replaces it with an efficient, spreadsheet-based workflow:

"The other function I use on a daily basis is the Query by Scan. This is a powerful tool for streamlining high-volume tasks, like auditing guns for an inventory... I can create a custom query that instantly pulls up what I need. Once I run the scan, I’m able to create a spreadsheet right from the data."

This capability allows supervisors to work from a single, consolidated spreadsheet, making corrections and bulk changes directly before seamlessly uploading the data back into the system. The result is a substantial reduction in labor and a significant boost to data accuracy.

A Partnership Built on Compliance and Trust

The Dallas County Sheriff's Department's multi-year reliance on EvidenceOnQ underscores a successful partnership built on more than just features. It is built on the shared goal of achieving operational excellence. By focusing on customization and highly specialized tools like Query by Scan, EvidenceOnQ ensures that law enforcement agencies can meet stringent compliance standards while maximizing the efficiency of their personnel.

Ready to bring this level of customization and control to your evidence management? Contact us today for a full demonstration of EvidenceOnQ.