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Criminal Investigations

Criminal Investigations

ICITAP provides technical assistance and training to help foreign law enforcement agencies investigate crimes and bring criminals to justice. ICITAP develops skills such as:

  • Interviewing and interrogation
  • Serving as an expert witness
  • Improving relationships with prosecutors
  • Witness/court protection
  • Criminal intelligence, undercover operations, managing informants, and surveillance techniques
  • Investigating and using forensic evidence (see Forensic Services)
  • Developing criminal databases (see Information systems)

These skills are used in all types of investigations: homicides, sexual assaults, robberies, assaults, and organized crimes, such as drug trafficking, money laundering, intellectual property theft, and cybercrime.

Programs

Here are a few examples of ICITAP's work around the globe in helping police improve their investigative skills:

System-wide Reform in Colombia

In Colombia, ICITAP's investigative training program helped transform the criminal justice system into an evidence-based, adversarial system. ICITAP's work has contributed to a significant decrease in kidnappings, homicides, and terrorist attacks in Colombia.

Evidence Management in Bosnia-Herzegovina

In Bosnia-Herzegovina, ICITAP helped develop a comprehensive evidence management program, including guidance on the handling and storage of evidence. ICITAP emphasizes the long-term sustainability of such programs; in Bosnia-Herzegovina, this included technical guidance in the development of laws and procedures that support criminal investigations.

U.S.-Based Forensics Training for Malawi Police Officers

ICITAP organized an internship for two Malawi police officers at the New Jersey Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory. Shortly after in-depth training on digital forensics—extracting evidence from computers and other electronic media in criminal investigations—the Malawi officers returned home and solved a computer fraud case.

Updated August 11, 2023