Optimizing Field Data Management for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Using ESRI's Field Maps Application

Summary

This is an abstract from the session entitled "A Decade of DPAA: Challenges and Opportunities to the Accounting Mission", at the 2025 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) undertakes critical missions to locate, recover, and identify missing military personnel. In this pursuit, efficient field data management is paramount. This abstract evaluates the implementation of ESRI's Field Maps application within DPAA's operations. The application streamlines field data collection processes, enabling DPAA teams to document archaeological sites, recoveries, and associated artifacts with precision and accuracy. Its customizable forms facilitate standardized data entry, ensuring consistency across missions. Moreover, the application's offline capabilities are indispensable in remote or austere environments where connectivity is limited. By integrating seamlessly with GIS technology, Field Maps empowers DPAA analysts to conduct real-time spatial analysis, aiding in mission planning and decision-making. Ultimately, the adoption of ESRI's Field Maps application enhances the DPAA's ability to fulfill its solemn duty of bringing closure to families and honoring the sacrifices of the missing personnel.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• A Decade of DPAA: Challenges and Opportunities to the Accounting Mission   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2025

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Nicole Haddow