Innovative ICAC investigation training on IoT, OSINT, dark web, and crypto

Boston University and its partners, working in collaboration with OJJDP leadership, will produce a new investigation training to support ICAC Task Force investigations.

The goal of ICAC Investigative Tool and Technology Training is to introduce a new dimension into IoT forensics and cryptocurrency tracking investigation techniques as it creates a new composite relation characterized by a starting entity type, an ending entity type, a given set of intermediate entity types, and a sequence of interactions.

Despite the increasing use of cryptocurrency in various CSAM-related activities, the existing capabilities of many law enforcement agencies to investigate CSAM crimes that involve cryptocurrency are limited. Many local and state law enforcement officers lack the expertise to identify and acquire potential evidential artifacts from contemporary consumer technologies as well as utilizing OSINT (open-source intelligence), which can then be used to support the elements of proof required in a successful prosecution. This necessitates the design of courses at different levels (e.g., basic, intermediate, and advanced) to train investigators in undertaking the required forensic analysis.
This new ICAC taskforce training will enhance the capabilities of law enforcement and support cross-border cooperation. There is a pressing need to undertake this project for additional development and design of ICAC training and the improvement of ICAC Task Force investigations. The underlying theory of change is that the development of ICAC investigative training will lead to improved investigations and successful prosecutions, ultimately resulting in reduced internet victimization of children.