Within the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group are a variety of departments that provide vital support in the areas of logistics, special events, information systems, psychological profiling and multi-agency coordination. These departments have been bundled under the auspices of the Investigations and Operations Support Section (IOSS).
The IOSS provides an array of services that are absolutely critical to the performance of the FBI in its missions to protect the nation from domestic and international threats, as well as protect the public from criminal activity. Without the support provided by these departments within IOSS, the many operations that the FBI conducts within the United States and around the world would not be possible.
In its ongoing mission to defend the U.S. from terrorist attack, the FBI employs a number of unique programs. The Behavioral Analysis Unit provides insights into the minds of terrorists and their supporters in order to predict likely modes of attack. Areas of American life that are particularly vulnerable to terrorist incidents are major events like conferences, sporting events and political gatherings; these high-value targets receive special protection through the Special Events Management Unit. When the FBI deploys teams to locations too remote from an FBI office, it calls upon its Rapid Deployment Logistics Units to set up mobile command centers.
The FBI utilizes its extensive resources to help prevent and investigate crimes. The National Center for Analysis of Violent Crime utilizes a vast history of past crimes and the latest research into aberrant and criminal behavior to help investigate crimes and apprehend perpetrators before they commit any more. The Violent Criminal Apprehension Program helps coordinate law enforcement operations at the federal, state, local and international levels.
In order to facilitate all of these vital operations within the Critical Incident Response Group, the Communications and Information Technology Unit was created to provide the IT and technological support necessary for peak operational performance.
National Center for Analysis of Violent Crime
The National Center for Analysis of Violent Crime houses the three Behavioral Analysis Units and the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program. This division was established in 1984 in order to investigate serious crimes including serial rapes, homicides, bombings, terroristic activities, child exploitation and extortion. The NCAVC utilizes historical databases, psychological studies and the insights of the most qualified criminal experts and researchers to analyze anti-social behaviors and provide investigative advice to FBI Special Agents as well as other law enforcement personnel.
Behavioral Analysis Unit
The NCAVC manages the three sections of the Behavioral Analysis Unit. These three sections are designated as
- BAU-Counterterrorism/Threat Assessment
- BAU-Crimes Against Children
- BAU-Crimes Against Adults
The Behavioral Analysis Units provide information and mission support in cases where time is an important issue. Cases that pose significant threats to the public like serial killers or armed fugitives often require the specialized expertise that can only be obtained through the BAU. These units often provide psychological assessments that the public commonly refers to as profiling. The Counterterrorism unit primarily provides support for cases that involve national security, arson, bombings and stalking. The Crimes Against Children Unit delivers mission support for cases involving kidnappings, disappearances, exploitation and homicides involving children. The Crimes Against Adults also focus on major crimes that have targeted adults, and may sometimes lend support to investigations involving white-collar crimes, criminal organizations or civil rights.
Violent Criminal Apprehension Program
The fourth unit within the National Center for Analysis of Violent Crime is the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program. ViCAP operates the largest database of violent crimes in the country, which is designated ViCAP Web. In an effort to provide more comprehensive understanding of violent crimes, ViCAP Web is accessible by authorized law enforcement throughout the country. Since its creation this database has grown to 84,000 cases with submissions from more than 4,000 police agencies. ViCAP is often the lead agency when law enforcement operations involving multiple organizations are implemented. ViCAP offers a wide array of psychological and investigative tools involving long-term cases related to missing persons, fugitive apprehension, and unidentified bodies.
Communication and Information Technology Unit
The FBI is heavily dependent upon a robust and secure information and telecommunications system in order to organize and perform almost all of its major responsibilities. In order to provide the technological tools required, the Communications and Information Technology Unit was created to oversee design, implementation and management of such critical systems. Through ongoing efforts to provide an agile and resilient infrastructure, the professionals of CITU are continuously upgrading and modifying critical systems in order to facilitate mission success.
Special Events Management Unit
The Federal Bureau of Investigations is often responsible for ensuring that major disruptions like terrorist attacks, cyber-attacks and riots do not affect major cultural and governmental events like the Super Bowl and political summits. In order to provide the security and logistical support necessary to ensure the safety of the public and government dignitaries, the Special Events Management Unit was created. Using extensive case histories from past events like the Munich attacks and the Atlanta Olympics bombings, SEMU is able to develop effective strategies involving FBI personnel, police, and private security. The specialists of SEMU often arrange many of the most important security protocols like aircraft diversions, traffic rerouting, and security training.
Rapid Deployment Logistics Unit
In order to function at peak capacity, FBI field teams require enormous amounts of specialized equipment and resources. When operating in remote locations throughout the U.S. and around the world, logistical support of the tons of equipment required becomes a serious consideration. The FBI has developed its own support system that facilitates the organization and transport of mission critical resources including vehicles, weapons, telecommunications equipment, and basic human necessities. The Rapid Deployment Logistics Unit uses the latest methodologies gleaned from the military and private organizations to deliver FBI resources to virtually any point on the globe within a matter of hours. Read more…