The Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T) Forensics and Criminal Investigations program assists DHS Components and law enforcement partners with research and development of technologies than can be applied across multiple mission areas for federal, state, and local law enforcement. This program aims to provide DHS Component operators and its law enforcement partners with the necessary investigative tools to recognize, collect, ingest, process, analyze, and share information quickly to dismantle criminal activity and safeguard our citizens and the nation from threats.
Projects and Activities
Countering Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking
- Forensic Technologies to Counter Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking on Livestream Platforms
- Dark Web Investigations
- Evidence Analysis Countering Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
Countering Fentanyl/Opioid Abuse
- Quality of Evidence (QoE) and Value of Target (VoT)
- Fentanyl Supply Chain Model
- Learn more about S&T’s research to fight fentanyl
Forensics Support
- Dynamic Scripting Solutions for Computer Forensics
- Software and Hardware Reverse Engineering
- Emerging Technology Research
Combatting Trans-National Organized Crime
Every day, transnational criminal actors across the globe attempt to compromise the nation’s financial systems; commit cybercrimes; smuggle drugs, weapons, contraband, people, and counterfeit goods, into and out of the United States; and exploit children and other vulnerable populations.
- Develop capabilities to collect, preserve, process, analyze, and share information to investigate and prosecute transnational organized crime actors.
- Provide DHS Components and partners with capabilities to disrupt transnational organized crime, arrest criminals and protect victims.
S&T developed a Discrete Event Simulation Model (DES) to simulate complex processes within Immigration Customs and Enforcement Removal Operations (ICE ERO), providing a virtual environment where different scenarios can be tested and analyzed. This innovative approach allows ICE ERO to model various aspects of its operations, from resource allocation to case management, without the need for costly real-world trials. By simulating these processes, the DES model offers insights that can lead to more informed decision-making and optimized resource utilization.
S&T has developed advanced technologies for ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), enhancing their ability to collect, analyze, and extract information critical to combating crimes like child sexual exploitation, abuse, and human trafficking. These tools empower agents to disrupt criminal networks, make arrests, and ultimately save lives. By equipping investigators to protect communities and bring justice to victims, S&T plays a vital role in advancing public safety. Looking ahead, S&T remains committed to driving innovation in forensic science and ensuring DHS investigators have the resources needed to stay ahead of evolving threats.
S&T funds and leads teams of data engineers and scientists to develop advanced analytics tools that integrate into the HSI RAVEN analytics platform. These tools help map and dismantle domestic and international fentanyl networks by providing key investigative insights.
S&T partners with the HSI Innovation Lab to identify and incorporate cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence and machine learning technologies. These efforts include creating a fentanyl supply chain activity model aimed at providing real-time decision support during operations to disrupt the fentanyl supply chain.
Learn more about us and discover how your organization can partner with S&T to make the homeland more secure.