FBI aims to launch new computer system by '06

WASHINGTON: The FBI has designed a new computer system to replace a failed $170 million one aimed at helping agents share information but it will not be ready for use until the end of 2006, the FBI director said.

The need for the system was identified after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, when investigators found deficiencies in the sharing and recording of information by U.S. agencies.

FBI Director Robert Mueller told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee the FBI had designed a new electronic information management system called Sentinel. The bureau expected the first phase to be deployed by the end of next year.

In February, a report by the Justice Department inspector general criticized the FBI for still having failed to create such an automated system to replace the antiquated one it now uses.

About the same time, Mueller acknowledged that the Virtual Case File system -- the key part of a $170 million revamp of the FBI's antiquated computer system -- was not viable. Virtual Case File, which was meant to help agents quickly and easily share information and file data on their cases, was never implemented.

In his testimony on Tuesday, Mueller acknowledged the problems with the Virtual Case File system, and said he was disappointed at the time and money that was wasted on it.