The Changing Nature of Criminal Investigations

The criminal landscape in our country is changing. While burglaries and auto thefts have plummeted in recent years, cases of identity theft are on the rise. Gangs, which traditionally funded their operations through narcotic sales, are increasingly turning to cyber scams such as credit card fraud and fraudulent tax refunds and the “dark web” is rapidly becoming a preferred marketplace for a variety of criminal transactions. How these types of crimes are being carried out, and what law enforcement and correctional agencies need to do to combat them, will be the focus of this training.

Researchers now estimate that the total global revenue from illegal drug sales on the dark web “cryptomarkets” is between $12 and $21.1 million per month-and illegal drugs account for only a portion of criminal activity on the dark web. It also provides individuals access to guns and other weapons, while simultaneously creating space for illegal activity like contract killing, child exploitation, and terrorism. The proliferation of the internet for criminal purposes greatly expands the research of criminal organizations beyond a physical location.

Attendees will review a variety of case studies which illustrate how the “dark web” markets for illegal drugs and is contributing to the current national opioid crisis. Instructors will show how boots on the ground investigations are no longer sufficient. Today, investigators must also know how to explore and utilize many different forms of digital evidence to identify perpetrators.

Instructor Name(s): Special Agent Matt Wright (Section Chief, Cyber Crimes Unit, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Homeland Security Investigations Cyber Crimes Center) and Special Agent Albert Giangregorio (Homeland Security Investigations, Illicit Finance and Proceeds of Crime Unit Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Liaison)


This course is open to all Public Safety investigators in both Law Enforcement and Corrections, including those assigned to internal investigations, intel and cyber-crimes.

Training Coordinators: Contact Katie.Johnson@maryland.gov to add a student to the wait list.

Location: PSETC Sykesville
Dates of Class: 10/31/2017 - 10/31/2017
Approval Number: NA
Approved Hours: NA
Price: 0.00

Instructor Name(s): Special Agent Matt Wright (Section Chief, Cyber Crimes Unit, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Homeland Security Investigations Cyber Crimes Center) and Special Agent Robert Whitaker (National Homeland Program Manager, HSI Financial)

8:30am - 4:30pm

**Limited to 5 Seats per Agency at this point in time** This course is open to all Public Safety investigators in both Law Enforcement and Corrections, including those assigned to internal investigations, intel and cyber-crimes.

Training Coordinators: Contact Katie.Johnson@maryland.gov to add a student to the wait list.