Criminal investigations
Our investigations respond to specific intelligence and threats. In every case our aim is to reduce the damage caused to the UK by organised crime groups by disrupting or dismantling them. We do this through prosecution and other lawful means.
We know the greatest impact comes from attacking entire criminal networks from top to bottom, not just convicting low level players who can be replaced easily. This means investigations can take a long time and can be worldwide.
There’s no single crime type for which we have sole responsibility, so working in partnership is essential. SOCA’s investigation teams are often part of a much wider response to organised crime.
Expert teams
When a SOCA criminal investigation begins, we appoint a lead officer, along with a team of specialist staff who have experience in various roles:
- Investigation
Our trained investigators are experts in gathering information and evidence. This could be previous criminal activity, financial activity, the use of communications technology, and the lifestyle and habits of the criminal group. - Disclosure
There are strict rules on recording the material gathered during an investigation in preparation for its use in court, and a trained disclosure officer will manage this process. - Exhibits
A principal exhibits officer will be responsible for ensuring the investigation team follows the correct procedures on the seizure, packaging, labelling and handling of exhibits. - Forensic support
Specialist forensic staff help the investigation team with:
- forensic science techniques;
- best practice in the collection of items for forensic examination; and
- submitting and authorising forensic evidence.
- Surveillance
Trained surveillance officers can obtain information about an organised criminal group in a covert manner by:
- establishing an observation post;
- following people on foot and in vehicles; and
- using authorised technology.
- Authorities
To ensure that all activity during an investigation is lawful, an authorities officer will oversee applications for covert activity, including surveillance. - Intelligence
Intelligence officers work as part of the investigation and are responsible for telling the team about intelligence requirements and knowledge gaps. - Financial investigation
One of our priorities is to make sure crime doesn’t pay. We appoint a specialist financial investigator to every investigation to identify any assets that are a result of criminal activity. These may later be subject to an asset recovery application. - Case preparation for court
During a criminal investigation the lead officer will communicate regularly with the legal team to discuss evidence gathering and admissibility in court. We also prepare strategies for arrest, search of premises and interviews of suspects. At the end of the court case, we review the investigation and share what we’ve learned with SOCA staff and partner agencies.
Find out more now
Read the current UK Threat Assessment (765.62 kB PDF)
Read about our new approaches to countering crime
Further information about asset recovery
Read the latest news from SOCA
Where possible we have included downloadable files in Adobe PDF format. To view these files you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader which you can download free from Adobe’s website:
