Art and jewel theft are federal offenses for several reasons: These thefts typically cross state lines and, sometimes, national boundaries; therefore, a federal agency with nationwide and international reach is necessary to investigate these crimes. These crimes are frequently committed by theft groups (organized criminal enterprises), which also require a federal agency that has offices throughout the nation and overseas; furthermore, these groups are usually entangled in other organized crime activities that are already being scrutinized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The FBI Creates an Art Crime Team
Art and cultural property crime includes fraud, looting, theft, as well as trafficking across international and state lines. …show more content…
The FBI’s Art Theft Program is responsible for coordinating the Art Crime Team at the FBI Headquarters located in Washington, D.C. These agents receive training dedicated to practices related to cultural property and art investigations; thus, providing the agents with the expertise necessary to assist foreign law enforcement officials and FBI legal attaché offices with investigations pertaining to cultural property and art, worldwide.
The Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) Departments Role in These Crimes
The stealing and trafficking of art and cultural heritage is not a new phenomenon, the only difference is that now cultural pirates can acquire, transport and then sell valuable art and cultural property quickly and easily. Cultural pirates operate globally, without any regard for nationalities, borders, laws or the importance of the items they smuggle.
The nation’s federal importation laws provide HSI with the authority to take control of investigating crimes that involve the illegal importation and distribution of art and cultural property. HSI can legally seize art and cultural property that is unlawfully brought into the U.S., especially when such objects have already been reported as lost or …show more content…
The jewelry industry loses in excess of $100 million every year; moreover, because these crimes are frequently committed using weapons, physical injury or death during these crimes are not unheard of.
Previously, the Major Theft Unit maintained its own Jewelry and Gem database; however, currently there is an industry owned and operated database that is available to law enforcement at no charge. The Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) maintains this database.
The FBI Assists Police Departments and the Jewelry Industry in Combating Jewel Thefts
The FBI works with law enforcement in its attempt to locate stolen jewels by conducting searches through the Jewelers’ Security Alliance Jewelry and Gem database.
The FBI has field offices throughout the country that coordinate with law enforcement to investigate cases that cross state lines; furthermore, the FBI coordinates cases that cross national boundaries through its legal attaché offices that are located overseas.
When necessary, the FBI sponsors investigative coordination meetings and provides resources to jewelry professionals as well as law enforcement
The FBI Creates an Art Crime Team
Art and cultural property crime includes fraud, looting, theft, as well as trafficking across international and state lines. …show more content…
The FBI’s Art Theft Program is responsible for coordinating the Art Crime Team at the FBI Headquarters located in Washington, D.C. These agents receive training dedicated to practices related to cultural property and art investigations; thus, providing the agents with the expertise necessary to assist foreign law enforcement officials and FBI legal attaché offices with investigations pertaining to cultural property and art, worldwide.
The Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) Departments Role in These Crimes
The stealing and trafficking of art and cultural heritage is not a new phenomenon, the only difference is that now cultural pirates can acquire, transport and then sell valuable art and cultural property quickly and easily. Cultural pirates operate globally, without any regard for nationalities, borders, laws or the importance of the items they smuggle.
The nation’s federal importation laws provide HSI with the authority to take control of investigating crimes that involve the illegal importation and distribution of art and cultural property. HSI can legally seize art and cultural property that is unlawfully brought into the U.S., especially when such objects have already been reported as lost or …show more content…
The jewelry industry loses in excess of $100 million every year; moreover, because these crimes are frequently committed using weapons, physical injury or death during these crimes are not unheard of.
Previously, the Major Theft Unit maintained its own Jewelry and Gem database; however, currently there is an industry owned and operated database that is available to law enforcement at no charge. The Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) maintains this database.
The FBI Assists Police Departments and the Jewelry Industry in Combating Jewel Thefts
The FBI works with law enforcement in its attempt to locate stolen jewels by conducting searches through the Jewelers’ Security Alliance Jewelry and Gem database.
The FBI has field offices throughout the country that coordinate with law enforcement to investigate cases that cross state lines; furthermore, the FBI coordinates cases that cross national boundaries through its legal attaché offices that are located overseas.
When necessary, the FBI sponsors investigative coordination meetings and provides resources to jewelry professionals as well as law enforcement