CORE Search

CORE Search is an incident command and investigation platform for law enforcement and first responders. It is best suited to agencies coordinating active investigations across teams; its connected case picture and live updates serve that work, while its free account is limited to read-only access.

Overview

CORE brings investigative records and operational coordination together in a cloud workspace. Teams can connect people, places, and vehicles, follow a case chronology, and share updates across connected screens. That makes it a focused option for agencies that need a shared view of an incident, especially when mutual aid, task forces, or unified command are involved.

The main constraint is access to create and edit: those actions require a Badge Apps Premium Account. A free account can view incidents and use Chat, so it can help participants stay informed but cannot serve as the working account for investigators building the case.

Key features

Connected case records

Investigators can map people, locations, and vehicles and see their connections. CORE also links suspects, victims, witnesses, and associates with identity, contact, and intelligence details. This structure can help teams follow relationships across a case; agencies wanting case intake forms should look elsewhere, since CORE does not provide them.

Chronology and canvassing

A time-stamped event log builds a chronology as an investigation develops. For witness canvassing, investigators can mark contacted addresses, record what occupants said, and pin cameras whose footage still needs to be collected. Together, these tools give teams a way to track both the sequence of events and outstanding field work.

Multi-agency coordination and continuity

CORE supports mutual aid, task forces, and unified command, with updates appearing across connected screens in real time. Investigators can also reopen a dormant case and continue from its preserved picture, which suits agencies returning to cold cases. Workflow automation and reporting dashboards are included, though the product facts do not describe their specific functions.

Mobile access and security

The cloud service has Android, iOS, and web access. Its mobile app supports iPhone, iPad, and Android, with real-time sync to the command post. Sensitive case information is stored in AWS GovCloud, and views and edits are audit-logged, giving agencies a recorded trail of data access and changes.

Pricing

CORE uses a freemium model. The Free Badge Apps account costs nothing and includes read-only incident access and Chat tools. It is appropriate for people who need to follow incidents or communicate, but its access limits rule it out for investigators who need to create incidents or edit data.

A Badge Apps Premium Account is required for those capabilities. Premium pricing is custom pricing. Agencies should choose it when they need teams to manage case records; the free account is the narrower choice for viewing and Chat.

Platforms

CORE is a cloud deployment available on web, Android, and iOS. The mobile app supports iPhone and iPad as well as Android devices, with real-time synchronization to the command post.

Who it's for

CORE is aimed at law enforcement and first responders coordinating incident investigations. It is a strong fit for agencies that need linked investigative records, a developing chronology, canvassing activity, and a common operational picture across multiple groups. It is less suitable for teams that need case intake forms or cannot use a paid account for incident creation and editing.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Mapping and linked people records put relationships in view, supporting investigations with many connected subjects and locations.
• Pros: Chronology, canvassing records, and camera follow-up keep event sequence and field tasks together.
• Pros: Real-time multi-agency updates and mobile sync support coordination between teams and the command post.
• Pros: AWS GovCloud storage and audit-logged views and edits address sensitive case handling with recorded access and change history.
• Cons: Free accounts cannot create incidents or edit data, limiting practical investigative work to Premium accounts.
• Cons: Case intake forms are not supported, so agencies needing that part of case handling will need another system.

Alternatives

Case Management Software is a useful category page for comparing a broader range of case tools.

• DFIR-IRIS suits readers seeking free, open-source incident response software with self-hosted deployment across Linux, macOS, Windows, and web.
• Socianote may fit small programmes: its free plan supports up to 3 staff, 50 people, 1 programme, and 200 documents across Android, iOS, and web.
• IntegrityLog is another paid option for readers comparing case software.
• Marble Case Manager offers a free, open-source, self-hosted option with a real-time decision engine and community support.
• Primero has a free, annually billed DIY tier for self-managed deployment, with documentation and community support.
• Pega Investigative Case Management is a paid alternative; contact Pega for a demo.
• Case Closed Software uses custom pricing; contact the maker for pricing.
• DFIRe offers non-commercial use granted case by case.

Verdict

CORE Search is the clearest fit for law enforcement and first-responder agencies that need a shared, live investigation picture spanning case relationships, chronology, canvassing, and multi-agency coordination. Its strongest reason to choose it is that these activities sit in one connected workspace with mobile sync. Look elsewhere if your team needs case intake forms or requires a no-cost account that can create and edit incidents.