Introducing HELIOS 4.0: Featuring Powerful Tools for Digital Evidence Management

July 17, 2024 Digital Evidence Management, HELIOS by Utility™

Development to HELIOS by Utility™ is largely driven by direct feedback from attorneys. Focuses on capability refinements and new features to expand the user experience have been a priority – helping the prosecution tackle tasks and prepare for cases in a more efficient manner than ever before.

“We listen closely to our clients, who emphasize the crucial need for maximum efficiency and accuracy when approaching case analysis and preparation. Through ongoing two-way dialogue with clients, Utility ensures that each technology update in HELIOS is not only practical but also impactful, enhancing user experience, efficiency and addressing critical chain of custody challenges.”– Simon Araya, Chief Technology Officer, Utility

We understand that prosecuting attorneys operate in a world that is becoming more complex by the day. They need tools and technology that help them be more efficient and more effective in their day-to-day work.

Security and Chain of Custody with HELIOS

In environments where inter-agency collaboration is common, concerns about a secure chain of custody arise. HELIOS addresses this by implementing a robust role- and privilege-based system that safeguards against unauthorized access and ensures credibility of evidence.

Chain of custody logs automatically note all activity, from a viewing by a single user to any case-sharing activity with the defense or any download of evidence. This all comes as good news to prosecutors who may face intense scrutiny from the defense around chain of custody issues.

Seamless Integration and Collaboration with HELIOS

Collaboration and coordination among agencies is critical to success. But as multiple agencies – and their sometimes radically different technologies – come together, managing evidence can emerge as a big challenge. Thankfully, HELIOS is a true chaos reducer in such an environment.

It does so by being data source-agnostic. HELIOS can ingest and manage digital evidence from any source through multiple access options. This includes a bulk file uploading tool as well as a pre-built API library that can enable cloud-to cloud system sharing to allow for seamless integration with other cloud systems. Attorneys can use a single platform through which they can securely ingest, store, manage and share case evidence information, regardless of its originating source.

Enhanced Tools for a Simpler User Experience

HELIOS has features that were designed specifically to help prosecuting attorneys prepare for court more efficiently and handle files more securely while augmenting transparency efforts on the administrative side. Among those features:

• Court preparation and evidence handling: Effective workflows, smart redaction tools, secure case management and sharing capabilities for more efficient and thorough evidence handling.
• Data ingestion: Options for digital evidence ingestion includes a bulk file uploading tool and API integration with other cloud systems – simplifies processes for the prosecution to access case evidence.
• Evidence management: Simplified media playback and conversion lets users view, listen to and transcode non-proprietary media files into more web-friendly playback formats.
• Digital media preparation: AI-based video and audio redaction tools, transcription, and image and document quick edit tools.
• Administrative reporting: Comprehensive administrative reporting features for monitoring both system, data usage and user activity.

Elevate Your Legal Ingenuity with HELIOS

With these latest enhancements, HELIOS, gives attorneys more control over things like security and chain of custody while empowering them to collaborate more effectively and streamline court-readiness.

For a full list of HELIOS updates, please contact our team at clientsuccess@utility.com.