30/12/2020
Increased regional cooperation between the SICA-region countries to combat organised crime with the preparation of manuals on special investigative techniques
The I-CRIME project team has brought together the countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA) to participate in preparing eight manuals on special investigation techniques, a practical tool to modernise and improve effectiveness in the fields of prevention and the fight against serious forms of international organised crime, including terrorism and illicit drug trafficking.
The manuals will offer practical guidelines aligned with international legal practice, with recommendations for the authorities involved: analysts, investigators, prosecutors and judges. They will contain strategies to combat organised crime in a collaborative and supportive manner among the countries of the region and will enhance coordination between the bodies in charge of investigating and prosecuting crimes in the SICA member states, facilitating joint communication and cooperation.
The topics they will deal with are: undercover agents, controlled delivery, telephone call interception, property investigations, kidnappings, critical incidents with localised hostage-taking, witness protection and cybercrime.
To prepare these manuals, I-CRIME has held participatory workshops in three phases: analysis of existing procedures; exchange of good regional practices between representatives of security forces and bodies, prosecutors, and decision-making specialists; and, finally, preparation of concrete and written proposals for the finalised drafting of the manuals. The SICA General Secretariat has been present, accompanying the prosecutors, designated authorities, and participants throughout the process.
After the videoconferences and once the draft manual has been prepared, it will be sent to the countries for evaluation, modification, ratification, publishing and distribution.
The I-CRIME project, funded by the European Union, and in whose management the FIIAPP participates, is a further addition to the criminal investigation integration process of the countries of the region. It aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the criminal justice system in the prosecution of transnational crimes and drug trafficking in order to improve criminal justice enforcement rates.
