September 12 th Building a RapidResponse Research Database

September 12 th: Building a Rapid-Response Research Database Charlotte R. Spinner President Effective Systems Solutions LLC info@effectivesys. com Info. Today/E-Libraries 2003 Building a Digital Library: Shining Examples and Lessons Learned Session F 201 ~ May 7, 2003

U. S. News Coverage in the Aftermath of Sept. 11 th

Fields in the USN&WR Terrorist Attack Database Record Type (Person, Group, Meeting) Preferred Name Variant Name(s) Event Role/Involvement Date of Birth Variant Date of Birth Age Physical Description Place of Birth Employment Info Social Security Number Country of Origin Ethnicity Religion Citizenship Passport(s) Visa Type(s) US Entry Points Address(es) Flight Hijacked Pilot Training Pilot License Info Educational Info FBI Watch List? Other Monitoring Link to Person Link to Organization Arrest Information Financial Data Car Registrations Link to Article Link to Photo General Notes Sources Checked

Stats • Currently ~3, 000 records in TERROR database • 80% of records are about a person • 11% groups/businesses • 9% full-text of stories, transcripts or other documents • smattering of records about key terrorist meetings

Lessons Learned • Flexible database tools are a must • Establishing interconnections probably the most valuable feature • Rapid accomplishments are possible! • Model for other big stories: – Enron & other Corporate Scandals – Sex Abuse Scandal in the Catholic Church