In this guest post, the Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T) Forensics and Criminal Investigations Program Manager Travis Brown provides an update on how S&T is arming investigators with innovative tools to combat transnational crime.
In the modern era of law enforcement, data has become a critical tool in solving crimes and ensuring justice. From digital footprints to forensic evidence, data plays an essential role in uncovering facts, identifying suspects, and even preventing crimes before they occur. As technology continues to evolve and criminals become even more sophisticated, so too does the role of data in criminal investigations. S&T is on the forefront of identifying and developing new tools to aid law enforcement investigators who lead the charge toward the arrest, trial, and conviction of individuals who commit heinous crimes against our citizens and communities.
Recently, an investigation in Tennessee led to the indictment of eight individuals accused of trafficking multiple women from Venezuela. Two of the eight are known to be members of, or have ties to, the gang Tren de Aragua. All eight have been charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution and conspiracy to commit interstate and foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises. Three have been charged with a separate sex trafficking conspiracy charge, which carries a maximum punishment of life in prison. One has been charged with possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. All eight individuals lack legal immigration status.
S&T is proud to have contributed to this success with federal law enforcement partners, with whom we worked to rapidly develop, protype, test, and field data-driven analytic tools to support investigations of crimes like human trafficking, fentanyl, and child exploitation. In this case, a suite of S&T-developed software-based analytic tools enabled automated discovery of high value targets and criminal associations and enhanced data mining and information sharing that led to the arrests.
Data-driven investigations have revolutionized law enforcement, allowing new insights never seen before. As technology continues to advance, particularly the application of artificial intelligence, the role of data will only continue to grow. S&T is committed to continued investment in data-driven tools that will be key to the continued success of modern law enforcement. The fusion of data and criminal investigations represents a promising future where crimes are solved more efficiently, communities are safer, and law enforcement organizations are better equipped to combat criminal activity.
Thank you to S&T’s operational partners who work night and day tirelessly to secure the United States from the threats posed by transnational organized crime. It is an honor to partner with you in this vital work. I encourage you to visit the Forensics and Criminal Investigations website to learn more about our work, and make sure to learn more about how you can partner with S&T.