"Now we can look for things like a silver gun or a name on a tattoo, or search for a person's name," Onalfo said.

Those databases weren't easy to import. The NYPD has about 55 databases scattered in various locations, most using older technologies such as FoxPro, Microsoft Access, flat file storage and even mainframe-era technologies such as VSAM and Adabas that Tyler joked only "old ladies" like herself are still familiar with.

The third phase, which the NYPD is now beginning, involves connecting additional data sources from within the NYPD and from outside agencies. In doing so, the NYPD is moving from homegrown data integration software based on Cobol to Informatica Corp.'s PowerCenter tools.

"We won't initially save time, but our investment is reusable, so it will lower future development [costs]," Tyler said.

Informatica is already used to send 911 emergency call data to the RTCC, which transmits alerts straight to detectives in the field. For the data warehouse, Informatica will help integrate sources such as the fingerprint databases run by New York state and the FBI, speeding up a fingerprint matching process that can take up to three weeks to one that is completed in seconds, Onalfo said.