I work for a Government crisis line. My job is to locate those who are suicidal and coordinate the rescue efforts. I am seeking those who have technical knowledge regarding cell phone “pinging”. I have acquired some knowledge but the technology changes so quickly it’s hard to keep up. Also, at times, I get conflicting information when I initiate a ping from various techs at different carriers. I have even been lied to by those too lazy to do their job.
What would be the best forum on this site to ask my questions from time to time?
Example: Last night I was told by a tech at T-Mobile that he could not give me the last cell site hit by my target number who’s phone was turned off because they “still had not downloaded the LTE cell sites into their system” and therefore could not locate the last tower hit. I have never encountered this explanation before. (I then opened a file to ping every 15 minutes till it went active)
Your assistance would be greatly appreciated. I can confirm my credentials through private message w/ my Gov. email address.
Thank you in advance.
Put in an inter-agency request with your supervisor and get the NSA on it. If you do work for a federal government agency you have quite a few resources at your disposal, I would suggest talking to your supervisor before consulting straight dope. I shudder to think tax dollars are used for this forum…
sorry not an expert myself- but I do know who TO ask: 9-1-1 dispatchers. They would know, if not know the tech aspect at least know a little about the logistics. All I know of it is, when a mobile caller can’t be located (because they didn’'t give an exact address) is the emergency dispatch has gone so far as to contact the carrier, and what did it get them? The carriers BILLING address, which probably won’t be much help a lot of time. FYI to other readers, that GPS on your phone does nothing for emergency response: nothing. They can’t access that. I’ve heard of certain data off of a phone being had through a subpoena such as GPS or whatever.
I have only heard dispatch calls, and I do know that some and not all 1st responders use triangulation, but using common sense if you are working off a few towers, and the caller is in an apartment complex maybe dying of an overdose (an actual call I heard about 3 mo. ago, the 1s responders were working frantically to locate the victim, only getting as far as a general suburban block made up of apartments- they then contacted the carrier and got a billing address, which was not the same as where the call originated)
Since I am not a dispatcher, and only a monitor and not privy to the logistical workings, you would do might have some luck lurking around the 1st responders/fire dept/EMS type of internet forums or joining one to get that answered. Good luck- I’d like to hear how it works myself just out of curiosity. Oh I just thought of “radioreference” radio guys forum- someone there probably knows- there are a lot of firemen, police and other types on that site so I would start there.
We are not a LEA or 3 letter agency and it’s a common misconception that just because we are a Gov. agency we have limitless resources. My SUPs are ignorant and leave it to us workers to do what we need to save lives…that’s all I’m trying to do. But thanks for your imput
I also used to handle suicide calls for a non profit organization, the best thing you can do is ask leading questions that show an interest in the individual and get a co-worker to call local law enforcement in the area from where the caller is. Turning over the phone number to law enforcement along with any identifying information you get is far more helpful than attempting to multitask triangulation and gather enough information to determine whether or not the individual has a plan for suicide
Ive got an analytical mind myself, I like to solve problems so I totally get the desire for figuring out how to triangulate calls, etc but when dealing with a live suicide call contacting local law enforcement in the area the individual is and allowing them to handle it (which can be difficult to trust a complete stranger!) is the best course.
uh…yeah, guess you don’t really know what we do…I’m just looking for technical assistance, but thanks.
As for 911 dispatchers…well, they don’t do enough real time intercepts for active pings to be proficient at them and we usually have to teach them how it is done or fight with them to do it. Some of the larger agencies are adept at it but it’s not the norm sadly.
Potestas, you’ve been cautioned before about political commentary in General Questions. No warning issued, but save the editorializing for other forums.