The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has strengthened investigators’ capacity to handle digital evidence and use online intelligence in criminal investigations following a three-day specialised training programme conducted in collaboration with MX4 Rescue.
The training, organised through the National Criminal Investigations Academy (NCIA), focused on Digital Forensics Foundations and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), equipping participants with practical skills to collect, analyse and preserve digital evidence while maintaining its integrity for use in investigations.
The course brought together investigators handling financial crime, cybercrime and digital forensics, intelligence practitioners, analysts and counter-terrorism officers. Participants also included officers from the Transnational Organised Crimes Unit, the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit, and the NCIA digital forensics team.
The programme covered digital forensic procedures, mobile device examinations, evidence preservation and the use of publicly available information to support intelligence-led investigations. Participants also studied international standards, chain of custody, legal and ethical considerations, digital storage systems, mobile data extraction and forensic analysis.
Through practical exercises, the investigators gained experience using specialised forensic tools to collect, verify and preserve digital evidence without compromising its integrity or evidential value.
The OSINT component focused on the intelligence cycle and how information available from public sources can be applied to specific investigative needs. Participants practised combining OSINT findings with mobile forensic extraction results to generate actionable leads from information gathered across multiple sources.
Speaking on behalf of the Director of the DCI during the closing ceremony, NCIA Commandant Ibrahim Jillo emphasised the need for investigators to acquire specialised skills to keep pace with evolving criminal threats.
“Today’s evidence is increasingly found on devices and online,” said Mr. Jillo, urging participants to apply the knowledge and skills gained during the training to their investigations.
The course combined theoretical instruction with hands-on exercises and assessments, giving participants practical competencies relevant to modern criminal investigations, particularly as digital technologies increasingly feature in criminal activities.
The collaboration between the DCI and MX4 Rescue highlights the role of partnerships in strengthening investigative capacity through specialised training and technical expertise. It also reflects the growing importance of digital forensics and open-source intelligence in addressing increasingly sophisticated forms of crime.
Through initiatives such as the training, the NCIA continues to strengthen professional investigative development and prepare practitioners to respond to emerging challenges in the digital and intelligence landscape.