I have used Alpha database products beginning with Alpha Four to track most aspects of my welfare fraud investigations from statistical data to financial information. Since most welfare fraud investigations involve tracking down assets and finances, I often serve search warrants at financial institutions in order to follow money trails and determine a person's income. The enhanced Search and Find features will allow me to quickly see a profile of all the accounts which is often crucial for the success of the investigation and determining course of action.

Using Alpha in an investigation is as basic for me as using a word processor, as I often create small databases specific for a particular investigation which really helps bring into focus what really occurred. Because of the way Alpha Five is structured, I can quickly and easily create complex reports to present the evidence in a manner that is easily understood.

I'm really excited about the release of version 5 as my goal is to eliminate the word processor, and version 5 will help me get closer to reaching that goal. If I had to choose between the two, I'd take Alpha Five.

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Ken has been involved in law enforcement in Minnesota and California since 1970. After returning to Minnesota in 1982, he obtained a private investigator's license and contracted with Region VIII North Welfare to establish their welfare fraud program and investigate welfare fraud for a 3 county regional welfare system.

Ken was the first welfare fraud investigator for Cass County Social Services in Walker, Minnesota and has been there since November 1990. He has made presentations to his colleagues at state and national welfare fraud conferences on the use of a computer for investigating fraud as well as how to create a simple database for basic investigative tasks.

kmnordin@paulbunyan.net