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.