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.