Law enforcement professionals gathered at the Regional Organized Crime Information Center in Nashville, TN from April 16 - 18, 2024 for an export of the Cyber Tools for Active Shooter Prevention and Response (CASPR) course, provided by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) marking the third iteration of the course. The training equipped officers with the latest strategies to combat digital crimes through hands-on exercises and theoretical teachings.

The comprehensive curriculum immersed participants in key areas such as internet investigations, Internet of Things (IoT) recognition, and practical Wi-Fi tool applications. By utilizing cutting-edge techniques and strategies, officers gained the skills necessary to successfully address and mitigate digital offenses, enhancing their proficiency in navigating the complexities of digital crime.

“Threats to public safety due to domestic terrorism are on the rise. It is common for persons of interest to use social media platforms to publicly state their intentions to cause harm or provide clues about their intentions,” said FLETC Cyber Division, Technical Investigations Branch Chief Timothy Davis.

The course aimed to provide advanced insights and skills essential for roles in digital investigations by offering hands-on experience in using tools and methods relevant to combating digital crimes effectively. Through interactive exercises and expert guidance, officers were expected to improve their capabilities in identifying and responding to various digital offenses.

Divided into three phases - Internet Investigations, IoT, and Wi-Fi tools and de-authorization - the specialized training course focused on equipping participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate and investigate the digital realm. By the program's conclusion, officers achieved objectives such as leveraging social media for investigations, monitoring social media using Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) tools, identifying IoT devices and their impact, collecting and preserving digital evidence, conducting electronic surveys, identifying transmitting devices, mitigating threats electronically and operating within legal restraints.

Davis went on to explain “Investigators should be familiar with open-source tools and advanced search functions within social media sites to help them locate and identify potential threats to public safety. Due to the proliferation, increased processing power, and interconnectivity of electronic devices, law enforcement officers are expected to encounter various types of ’smart’ or ’Internet of Things (IoT)’ devices. Officers and agents should have a basic understanding of these devices and how they can alter data, interact with their environment, and be modified in ways that impact officer safety. This course covers fundamental actions to identify subject(s) of interest through social media, and how to detect, neutralize, and collect IoT/smart devices.”

The commitment of agencies to providing advanced training opportunities underscores their proactive approach to enhancing officers' proficiency in digital crime investigation. As participants return to their respective agencies armed with new knowledge and insights, the impact of this specialized training course is expected to reverberate across the law enforcement sector, enhancing their collective ability to combat digital offenses effectively.
To be eligible for the course, participants must be sworn state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement, or law enforcement support personnel, with no cost to the agency for enrollment.

Federal organization personnel should contact their agency training officer to register for training, contact FLETC Admissions with any additional questions, or call (912) 267-3447. State, local, and tribal officers requesting training should register online. If organizational support is required or you have additional needs, please contact FLETC Admissions. International (non-US) personnel should email FLETC-intlrqst@fletc.dhs.gov.