The DS Criminal Intelligence and Research Branch (CIR) was created in 2005 to collect, collate, and analyze criminal intelligence pertaining to terrorist travel and document fraud. The CIR disseminates information essential to the success of DS Special Agents' ability to conduct global criminal investigations involving document counterfeiting, imposters, processing irregularities, and related document fraud. CIR analysts review investigative information from a wide range of government and Department databases, such as the Consolidated Consular Database (CCD), to detect patterns of criminal activity related to U.S. travel documents.
The expansion of the CIR is essential to prevent, detect, and neutralize travel document fraud that enables individuals to enter the United States and/or other countries illegally. CIR operations have created an intelligence and research operations component within DS that can access sophisticated analytic tools, technical investigations equipment, and a network of legal and regulatory sources of information. CIR has become a focal point for DS's worldwide criminal program, serving as a clearinghouse for intelligence and information provided by DS's overseas and domestic criminal investigations.
Expand the Intelligence Analyst Program
Over the past two decades, DS has used intelligence analysts to support its protective security responsibilities through its Intelligence and Threat Analysis Division and Overseas Security Advisory Council. Building upon these successful models, DS created the CIR intelligence analyst program to meet the needs of an expanding international criminal program. However, the current CIR headquarters intelligence staff is but one component of a comprehensive analysis program designed to process raw intelligence generated by overseas and domestic investigations.
Successful implementation of the CIR will require the deployment of intelligence analysts in response to the expansion of DS's worldwide enforcement initiatives. Assignment of analysts to overseas posts that encounter high levels of fraudulent travel documents, to CA fraud prevention programs, and to DS domestic field and resident offices will enhance substantially the Department's interbureau intelligence collection and dissemination efforts. Detailing analysts to the FBI, DHS, NCTC, and HSTC headquarters will ensure the timely exchange of intelligence on the vulnerabilities of U.S. travel documents and terrorist mobility. Finally, expanding the analyst program to the JTTFs and Fraud Benefit Task Forces will augment current DS participation and ensure that DS criminal intelligence is provided to domestic task forces targeting terrorist travel and travel document fraud.
Table of Contents
Mission Statement | Introductory Letter From Assistant Secretary Griffin | The Bureau of Diplomatic Security: A Brief History | Visa and Passport Fraud: An Overview | Introduction | Strategic Goal 1 | Strategic Goal 2 | Strategic Goal 3 | Conclusion | Appendix: Operation Triple X
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