Tools C: Investigative Technology

Effectively utilize applied science and engineering resources to empower the FBI’s investigative and intelligence operations and thwart the techniques of our adversaries.

Other Information:

Situation: In addressing today’s terrorists, intelligence operatives, and criminals, computers and electronic media have become the evidentiary equivalent of yesterday’s paper files. Moreover, the potential sources of audio, video, and image evidence continue to expand as technologies advance and as adversaries make wider use of them. Video cameras and other audio and imaging technologies, such as solid-state recording devices, voice mail systems, Internet audio, digital cameras, and flatbed scanners, are becoming commonplace throughout the world. The electronic surveillance (ELSUR)[2] of criminals, and of foreign powers and terrorists, has proven to be one of the most effective tools of the U.S. Government. The FBI’s emphasis on proactive and preventive counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and cyber activities requires technical collection and analysis activities that adapt from historically simple technology to a more complex systems approach, resulting in the development of new tools and the retraining of investigative, translation, intelligence, and technical personnel. In June 2002, the FBI established the Investigative Technology Division in order to consolidate all responsibilities for technical investigative support and increase the emphasis on future investigative technologies. [2] There are two federal statutory regimens pertaining to electronic surveillance — one regarding criminal investigations and another regarding foreign intelligence, counterintelligence, and terrorism investigations. The former is derived from (1) Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (commonly referred to as “Title III”), as amended; (2) portions of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986, as amended; and (3) portions of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), enacted in 1994. The latter is derived from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA), as amended.

Objective(s):

T C.1: Information Dissemination

T C.2: Tools, Technologies, and Services

T C.3: Intercept Capabilities

T C.4: Radio Communications

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