Technical information

System requirements

• Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit (x64). SAMM does not run on macOS, ChromeOS, tablets, or phones.
• Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime. It is already installed on Windows 11 and on most up-to-date Windows 10 computers. If it's missing, the SAMM installer downloads it automatically.
• Screen: 1024 × 768 or larger. A second monitor is handy for presentations.
• Disk space: about 230 MB for the app, plus room for your cases. Imported evidence is copied into the case folder, so plan space for the video you work with.
• Hardware: any modern 64-bit PC. Video conversion runs on the processor, so a faster CPU and more memory make large video imports quicker. No special graphics card is needed.
• Internet: needed to sign in and for satellite maps. See working offline.

Installing SAMM

1. The user signs in at app.sammapper.com and downloads the installer from their Profile page, or uses the download link in their welcome email.
2. They run SAMM_<version>_x64-setup.exe. It installs for the current Windows user only, into %LOCALAPPDATA%\SAMM, and does not need administrator rights.
3. They open SAMM and sign in with their agency email. We email them a 6-digit code to finish.

Windows SmartScreen may ask for confirmation the first time the installer runs. Choose More info, then Run anyway. If your agency only allows approved software, have IT approve the installer before your detectives install it.

The installer also adds a Start menu shortcut and opens .samm case files with SAMM.

Network and firewall

All traffic is outbound HTTPS on port 443. SAMM doesn't open any inbound ports. If your network filters traffic, allow these hosts:

Apart from Mapbox's standard map-usage reporting, SAMM has no third-party analytics or tracking. Crash reports are sent only when the user clicks Send report.

Where data is stored

• Cases and evidence: Documents\SAMM Cases\<case number> - <case name>\ on the computer. Imported files are copied into the case folder, and each case keeps an append-only audit log of changes.
• What our servers store: nothing about your cases. No evidence, no case names or numbers, no lead detectives. We keep only your account (email, agency, role), which computers are signed in (name, OS, IP, SAMM version), and feedback text you send.
• Sign-in token: stored in Windows Credential Manager, not in a file.
• Logs: %LOCALAPPDATA%\com.samm.mediamapper\logs\ (three rotating 5 MB files). Support may ask for these.
• Backups: back up Documents\SAMM Cases with your agency's normal backup tools. Cases can also be exported as a single .samm file.

More detail is on the security page.

Working offline

SAMM checks in with our servers when it starts and every 30 minutes while it runs. If the network is down, SAMM keeps working; a lost connection never signs anyone out.

• Works offline: opening cases, reviewing evidence, video tools, timelines, and presentations. Locations still show on the map; the satellite imagery behind them needs a connection.
• Needs a connection: signing in, satellite and street maps, address search, and road routing.
• Offline limit: SAMM keeps working for up to 30 days after its last successful check-in. After that it asks the user to sign in again before opening cases.

Sign-in and seats

• No passwords. Users sign in with their agency email and a 6-digit code we email them. Codes expire after 10 minutes and lock after 5 wrong tries.
• One computer per person at a time. Signing in on a new computer signs that person out of the previous one.
• Seats are the number of computers across your agency that can be signed in to SAMM at the same time. When all seats are in use, the next sign-in frees the seat that has been idle the longest.
• Web dashboard sign-ins (at app.sammapper.com) never use a seat.
• Admins can see which computers are signed in, sign any of them out, and suspend accounts from the dashboard. A signed-out computer loses access at its next check-in, within 30 minutes.

Updates

SAMM checks for a new version each time it starts. The user chooses when to install it: update now, remind later, or skip that version. Nothing installs silently. Every update is cryptographically signed, and SAMM verifies the signature before installing. If IT prefers to roll out updates, the latest installer is always available from the web dashboard.

Supported file types

Video that won't play as-is is converted to MP4 (H.264) automatically; FFmpeg is included, so nothing else needs installing. Proprietary recorder audio (for example NICE, Verint, DSS, VOX, or WMA) must be exported to a standard format first.

Sharing with prosecutors

Export a case as a portable package: a single .zip with SAMM Player, the case file, and a README. The recipient extracts it, opens SAMM Player, and drags in the case file. Nothing is installed, the case opens read-only, and nothing leaves their computer. The README includes a SHA-256 hash so they can confirm the case file hasn't changed. SAMM Player needs Windows 10 or 11 with WebView2, and an internet connection for the map imagery.