Welcome to our Dec/Jan 2021 Newsletter
Our newsletter aims to keep you updated with latest developments in the world of
criminal investigation.
Sponsor our next issue: If you are a company and would like to sponsor the next issue email
Dale at info@the-investigator.co.uk
Have your article published: If you are an investigator, an academic or subject matter expert who would like to include an article in the next issue
email Carol at . You can either submit the written article yourself or we can write it for you.
Company advertorials and advertisements: If you have a company advertorial and or an advertisement you'd like to include in the next issue please contact us for prices.
NEWSLETTER SPONSOR
Forensic Capability Network must be ‘led and shaped’ by policing says host force Dorset’s ACC
Supporting the 43 forces to meet the increasingly complex demands of policing must be at the core of the newly set up Forensic Capability Network (FCN) its lead ACC said this week.
CSA investigators at risk of moral injury according to new research
Police who investigate online crimes against children are themselves at risk of moral injury and other psychological harms, according to new research.
Chartered Institute of Information Security to deliver Institute of Cyber Digital Investigation Professionals (ICDIP) Certification Scheme
The Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) has been awarded the contract to deliver the Institute of Cyber Digital Investigation Professionals (ICDIP) Certification Scheme from April 2021.
National Crime Agency brings to justice prolific offender who committed 96 sex abuse crimes
The National Crime Agency has brought to justice one of the most prolific offenders it has ever investigated.
Counter Terror Policing launches website to combat online radicalisation
Counter Terror Policing has launched a new safeguarding website to combat ‘perfect storm’ of online radicalisation.
Thames Valley Police launches new guidance on romance fraud
Thames Valley Police Economic Crime Unit has released a new romance fraud e-booklet to provide guidance about this growing opportunist crime.
UK Government launches new National Cyber Force to transform UK response
The Government has launched a new National Cyber Force which is says will transforms the country's cyber capabilities to protect UK.
Interpol warns of organised crime threat to Covid-19 vaccines
INTERPOL has issued a global alert to law enforcement across its 194 member countries warning them to prepare for organised crime networks targeting COVID-19 vaccines, both physically and online.
Europol launches global action against mail order gun traffickers
Europol has co-ordinated a global initiative in which over 42 000 parcels were checked and hundreds of weapons to target the trafficking of firearms to and within the EU through post and courier services.
Cyber researchers warn popular Android privacy apps are stealing data and photos
Researchers at CyberNews (www.cybernews,com) have discovered that most popular Android privacy apps actually do the opposite and spy on you when you’re the most vulnerable.
ERSOU investigation uncovers drug dealer who grew cannabis in garden
An Essex man has been handed a court order after a police investigation found he was able to repay money earned from producing and intending to sell drugs more than eight years ago.
Edinburgh Napier University recognised by GCHQ for cyber security education
Edinburgh Napier University is among the first in the UK to be recognised for its commitment to cyber security education under a new initiative from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – a part of GCHQ.
With all the investment in technology, are we forgetting the basics?
By Nadia Tuominen, an experienced Investigations analyst and trainer who runs New Insight Analysis training.
Law enforcement technology has come on leaps and bounds over recent years. Gone are the boxy old computers that stuck around far longer than they should have. Working from home has moved from an impossible dream to a widespread reality thanks to Virtual Private Networks.
And tears of frustration from using outdated Microsoft applications to analyse big data have been wiped away with the introduction of incredible new software.
Constabularies up and down the country, and indeed around the world, invest thousands of pounds in technology; the purchase, the upkeep, and the associated training. But in the race to keep up with technological advancements the most amazing kit of all remains somewhat neglected.
Conference News – new for 2021
The Investigator has launched a number of online conferences and workshops for 2021. Booking is open now. Email Dale at info@the-investigator.co.uk
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Investigating Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery – February 24 and 25
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Investigating Online CSE/A exploitation – March 10 and 11
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Cyber Crime Investigation and Incident Response Management – March 18
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Digital Investigation CPD virtual Learning event - March 24 and 25
Free online workshops for 2021
Book your free place by emailing Dale at info@the-investigator.co.uk
We’ve launched our dates for our free online digital investigation workshops which are led by industry and feature latest developments in how technology and products are helping investigations.
They are free to attend for serving investigators and you can sign up for one of the following dates:
• 28 January
• 22 April
• 24 June
• 1 July
• 30 September
• 2 December
Welcome to our November 2020 Newsletter
Our newsletter aims to keep you updated with latest developments in the world of
criminal investigation.
Sponsor our next issue: If you are a company and would like to sponsor the next issue email
Dale at info@the-investigator.co.uk
Have your article published: If you are an investigator, an academic or subject matter expert who would like to include an article in the next issue
email Carol at . You can either submit the written article yourself or we can write it for you.
Company advertorials and advertisements: If you have a company advertorial and or an advertisement you'd like to include in the next issue please contact us for prices.
NEWSLETTER SPONSOR
Investigator exclusives!
Forensic Capability Network CEO
Jo Ashworth sets out vision for future of forensics in policing
Operational investigators need to be empowered and supported to use forensics to carry out their work on the frontline efficiently and effectively, according to Jo Ashworth, the interim CEO of the Forensic Capability Network (FCN).
Tackling Organised Exploitation project enhances response to tackling and preventing vulnerable people exploitation
The Tackling Organised Exploitation (TOEX) project, is a national project between the NPCC and NCA, seeking to enhance the response to tackling and preventing the exploitation of vulnerable people.
News
First UKAS accreditation for Crime Scene Examination awarded to Bedfordshire Police
Bedfordshire Police is the first force to gain UKAS accreditation for the examination of scenes of crime. The accreditation to ISO/IEC 17020 covers scene activities in relation to Volume Crime undertaken at its Hatfield site.
Forensic Science Regulator honoured with CBE
Forensic Science Regulator Dr Gillian Tully has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Dr Tully has worked in forensic science for over 30 years, specialising in DNA, innovation, validation and enhancement of quality standards.
National hate crime guidance published by College of Policing
The College of Policing's Authorised Professional Practice guidance on hate crime has been developed after extensive consultation with officers, staff and the public. It provides detailed information to help police forces across England and Wales effectively and consistently investigate offences and keep the public safe.
Smuggler jailed after hiding £3m worth of cocaine in customised exhaust pipes
A man has been jailed for a conspiracy to smuggle cocaine worth nearly £3 million concealed in customised exhaust pipes which the NCA believe was destined for Northern Ireland.
College of Policing launches guidance to provide support to undercover officers
The College of Policing has updated it Authorised Professional Practice in relation to undercover policing to emphasis the fact that officers in England and Wales.
CPS publishes new legal guidance on rape and sexual offences
The CPS has published new legal guidance for prosecutors helps to tackle rape myths and stereotypes against the changing picture of modern life.
ERSOU investigation leads to conviction of man who used dark web to buy grenades
A successful investigation by the Eastern Region Special Operations Units (ERSOU) led to the conviction of a Watford man who attempted to buy grenades over a secret area of the internet.
Sharp rise in romance fraud prompts force collaboration
Investigators from UK forces been working together to tackle romance fraud, through a combination of awareness raising and enforcement activity, co-ordinated by the City of London Police.
Ethical hackers unearth 39 nutritional supplement scam sites
An investigation by ethical hackers at CyberNews into one pensioner’s missing vitamin order has unearthed a network of 39 scam sites.
International operation intercepts stolen cars and suspected people smugglers
An international operation supported by INTERPOL has highlighted the scale of motor vehicle crime in Europe, including the smuggling of stolen vehicles, spare parts and document fraud.
Europe’s most dangerous sex offender fugitives targeted by 18 countries
Law enforcement authorities from Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom have joined this online appeal.
Almost 6,000 new recruits join police service
The NPCC and the College of Policing have both welcomed the news by the Home Office that almost 6,000 officers have joined the police service up to the end of September.
Comment
New GDPR-style opt-out is needed for location data collection
By Ed Parkes, Emerging Field
A new generation of tools are making us aware of how we are tracked online. Apple, for example, has recently incorporated a Privacy Report feature in its update of Safari in iOS 14.
Tracking is not limited to which websites we visit however – our movements are tracked offline as well, as location data is collected using our phone’s Wi-Fi and GPS. Unlike online tracking, there are not clear and concise prompts for users that explain when location data is being collected and by who as we move through the physical world.
NEWSLETTER SPONSOR
Welcome to our October 2020 Newsletter
Our newsletter aims to keep you updated with latest developments in the world of
criminal investigation.
Sponsor our next issue: If you are a company and would like to sponsor the next issue email
Dale at info@the-investigator.co.uk
Have your article published: If you are an investigator, an academic or subject matter expert who would like to include an article in the next issue
email Carol at . You can either submit the written article yourself or we can write it for you.
Company advertorials and advertisements: If you have a company advertorial and or an advertisement you'd like to include in the next issue please contact us for prices.
Met Head of Digital Intelligence highlights digital data challenges and opportunities
Operating in a world where digital data has transformed our entire culture has brought about unique challenges and opportunities for the UK’s biggest police forces.
College of Policing launches consultation on draft guidelines for vulnerability-related risk
The College of Policing has launched a consultation exercise to help devise new guidelines around recognising and responding to vulnerability-related risk.
It wants to hear from investigators of all ranks, grades and roles within policing who come into contact with vulnerable people.
Serious Violent Reduction orders considered for knife crime offenders
Consultation has begun on views around a new court order to target known knife and offensive weapon carriers. Views are being sought about the new personalised stop and search powers called Serious Violence Reduction Orders (SVROs) that could help ensure repeat offenders are more likely to be caught and put in prison.
County Lines crackdown results in major disruption to illegal activity
A week of activity co-ordinated by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC) resulted in major disruption to illegal activity across the UK. During the week, more than a thousand arrests were made and 1.551 vulnerable people were engaged with for safeguarding purposes.
New Malware variant threatens smart devices in 84 different countries
Email security experts Barracuda Networks have discovered a new variant of the InterPlanetary Storm malware which has infected roughly 13,500 machines across 84 different countries and counting.
Operation Venetic brings haulage boss to justice over international trafficking conspiracy
The National Crime Agency (NCA) continues to target organised criminals as part of their successful operation called Venetic. The latest success includes the conviction of a haulage firm owner who used the encrypted messaging platform EncroChat to lead a criminal network across Europe.
EXCLUSIVE FEATURE
ERSOU – tackling the scourge of serious and organised crime in Eastern England
Last month, when a criminal network was convicted of smuggling millions of pounds of Class A drugs into the UK, it was the culmination of the biggest ever drugs conspiracy investigation in the history of the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU).
A staggering £4M of drugs was recovered from two shipments that were sent to a farm after being imported from the Netherlands. The gang had attempted to conceal the drugs in boxes for plastic spider catchers aswell as disguising them in Jack Daniels packaging.
Cyan Forensics and Susteen introduce rapid scanning of smartphones for child sexual exploitation and counter terror investigators
Cyan Forensics, the Edinburgh-based company that delivers technologies to help policing find child abuse and terrorist material extraordinarily fast, has partnered with Susteen, the California-based developer of mobile forensic tools.
The partnership brings together two leading capabilities to create a portable, easy to use rapid triage capability for smartphones. The alliance will bring Cyan Forensics’ scanning technology to Susteen’s Datapilot DP10 platform.
