ДО ПИТАННЯ ІНФОРМАЦІЙНО-АНАЛІТИЧНОГО ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ ПРАВОВОЇ РОБОТИ ПОДАТКОВОГО ОРГАНУ

The article describes the place of the State Bureau of Investigation in the system of state bodies of Ukraine, in particular, the content of the categories “state bodies” and “public authorities” is defined, the system of state bodies is outlined, and the specifics of law enforcement agencies are clarified. It is noted that state bodies (public authorities) are characterised by their own specific features, among which the following are distinguished: a set of state bodies form the apparatus of the State, and therefore each of them is one of the elements of the integral system of the State apparatus; they are created and operate on the basis of relevant regulations, in the person of one person (citizen) or a group of citizens; each structural unit (state body) is endowed with unique powers of state power; they are created with the aim of performing tasks and It is also emphasised that the State Bureau of Investigation is a law enforcement agency. Therefore, the place of the State Bureau of Investigation in the system of state bodies is determined by its legal status as a central executive body, as evidenced by the specifics of its activities, since it was established for the special purpose of preventing and combating crimes committed by special categories of subjects, as well as war crimes, which is consistent with the law enforcement function of the state and has nothing to do with either legislative or judicial activities; as a law enforcement agency in view of the fact that its main and, in fact, the only task is to counteract criminal offences within its competence; as a state body with a special status, as evidenced by its tasks, powers and the fact that it carries out its activities independently and independently of other executive authorities in the organisational and functional aspect.

The article analyzes the administrative and legal powers of forest protection and hunting service within the system of state management bodies in the field of forest protection and hunting. The relevance of the research topic is due to the processes of general reform of the forestry industry of Ukraine and the need to clarify the law enforcement powers of officials in this industry. The purpose of the study is to highlight the problems of law enforcement in the forestry industry; clarifying the powers of law enforcement entities, directions for reforming forestry law enforcement agencies, and prospects for improving their activities. The object of the study is the legal regulation of security activities aimed at ensuring law and order and legality in the forestry industry. The research is based on the use of general scientific and special methods. With the help of the dialectical method, internal contradictions in the activities of law enforcement agencies in the forestry industry were revealed. The analysis method is used to identify gaps in legislation regulating the powers of supervisory bodies, etc. Formulated conclusions are aimed at practical use. Thus, it is proposed: definition of the concept of «huntsman»; separation of the management function and state control in forestry enterprises; transfer of the control function to the level of territorial bodies of the State Forestry Agency. Thus, at the enterprises of the State Forestry Agency system and other permanent forest users, the functioning of forest protection will remain without the status of a law enforcement body, but with the right to draw up protocols and the limited right to consider cases of administrative offenses in the field of forest protection.

Control is explained as a systematic verification of the implementation of laws, directives, resolutions and decrees or as state or public measures for the supervision, inspection, accounting of the activities, behavior of natural and legal persons, i.e. control is an inspection in order to ensure the reliability and legality of the actions specified and the process of tracking the actual implementation of plans. Unfortunately, the legal reference literature and the current legislation of Ukraine do not contain a unified approach to the definition of the legal content of the term «control». The Encyclopedia of Law, for example, defines «control» (French controle – check, from Old French contre-role – a list with a duplicate for verification) – as verification of the implementation of laws, decisions, etc. The article examines the place of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine in the system of bodies exercising control in the sphere of banking activity. It is determined that state control is one of the main functions (forms, methods) of public administration. The degree of efficiency of state control, despite the sphere of its implementation, is mainly determined by the quality of legal support of control activities, a certain level of socio-economic and logistical support of state control bodies, the level of mobility and balance of the system of control bodies. It is the balanced construction of the system of state control bodies that is an important prerequisite for the successful functioning of the entire system of state bodies. Analyzing the variety of laws and by-laws, as well as scientific literature on the issue of subjects of control in the sphere of banking activity, it is determined that control over the activities of banking institutions is a complex system, which has two main directions: external control and internal control. Subjects of banking control can be represented both externally (by state and independent regulatory authorities) and internally. The subjects of banking control by the state include: the Accounting Chamber of Ukraine, Control Departments under the Administration of the President of Ukraine, the State Financial Inspection of Ukraine, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine, the National Bank of Ukraine, the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine, the State Treasury Service of Ukraine, the State Property Fund of Ukraine, state extra-budgetary funds (such as the Pension Fund of Ukraine), the National Securities and Stock Market Commission, law enforcement agencies and others in accordance with the current legislation. Independent audit firms act as subjects of independent control, and the subjects of internal control are the Supervisory Board, the Audit Commission, the Management Board (Board of Directors), functional divisions of the bank, and its internal audit service. The article thoroughly covers the functions of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine of control in the sphere of banking activity, its important role and importance. The article defines the main functions assigned to the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine by the current legislation of Ukraine. On the basis of the study, it is established that in case of violation of the current legislation, material and operational-economic liability is provided for business entities in general, and banks in particular. When writing the article, on the basis of the studied material, it is established that the common type of operational and economic sanctions applied by the authorities are: cancellation of licenses and termination of foreign economic operations. And in case of abuse of monopoly position in the market, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine has the right to adopt a resolution on the forced division of monopoly formations.

Purpose: to determine the place of the prosecutor’s office in the current system of public authorities and law enforcement bodies. Methods: analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, abstraction, concretization, generalization. Results: author’s conclusions about the place of the prosecutor’s office in the modern system of public authorities and law enforcement bodies. Discussion: the general theoretical approaches to understanding the place of the prosecutor’s office in the modern system of public authorities and law enforcement bodies of Ukraine have been clarified. The author notes that according to the new legislation on the prosecutor’s office and the adoption of amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine in 2016, a gradual implementation of the model of the prosecutor’s office, which presupposes its belonging to the judicial system with some autonomy, is noticeable. It is established that the prosecuting authorities are involved in the exercise of the main function of the judiciary - the administration of justice, but as a representative of the prosecution, that is, there is no neutral position, which is the main feature of the subject of the judiciary. In carrying out the charges in court, the prosecutor actually represents the state in the indictment perspective, fulfills the powers vested in him by law, which is more characteristic of the subject of the executive branch of power. The author argues that an important indication that the prosecutor’s office cannot be part of the judicial branch is its structure and organization with clear vertical subordination and authority. The place of the prosecutor’s office in the system of public authorities is determined by the functions and tasks entrusted to this law enforcement agency and the importance for the state as a guarantor of legality. The lack of a constitutional function of prosecutorial oversight of law enforcement requires state bodies, non-governmental organizations, citizens to understand the new model of its functioning and gradually transfer responsibility to the competent bodies established in the state to ensure law and order. The author emphasizes that a number of reforms of the judicial and law enforcement systems have influenced and changed the role and place of the prosecuting authorities in the system of public authorities. However, the current legislation does not explicitly indicate that the prosecutor’s office belongs to a specific branch of power. Recommendations on determining the place of the prosecutor’s office in the current system of public authorities and law enforcement agencies of Ukraine have been provided.

The article deals with the search for ways to combine the efforts of customs and law enforcement agencies in the fight against illegal attempts to move goods, objects or substances across the customs border of a country. The concept and basic principles of law enforcement activities are studied, as well as the criteria for inclusion in such a system. By analyzing the powers of a number ofstate bodies, the author has compiled a list of law enforcement agencies involved in the fight against smuggling. It is emphasized that customs authorities today can be fully attributed to law enforcement agencies. Approaches to understanding the interaction of law enforcement agencies, its principles and directions of implementation are considered in detail. The author critically assesses the absence of a legal act regulating the procedure for interaction of bodies in in the fight against crime. While there is definitely a need for this, although the issues of interaction are locally outlined in special laws on individual state (law enforcement) agencies. It is recognized that modern regulation of issues of interaction between law enforcement agencies, and their list should be updated in the light of the reforms of such bodies, and must necessarily include customs authorities. It is emphasized that the problem of duplication of tasks and functions, chasing indicators and creating the illusion of an active fight against crime, has been relevant for more than two decades. Despite changes in legislation, liquidation or reorganization of previous bodies and the creation of new ones, renewal of personnel and units, the lack of clear delineation of powers of law enforcement agencies, and sometimes of law enforcement agencies, and sometimes dual competence or departmental ambitions, lead to a distortion of the actual picture of the organization of countering smuggling. The author outlines certain risks of interference with the organization and implementation of customs control that arise from a destructive perception of interaction. The institutional capacity of customs authorities as a lever is considered for improving the mechanism of interaction between the State Customs Service and law enforcement agencies. The author substantiates the expediency of including operational units to the list of subjects of operational and investigative activities. The author additionally argues that the prospect of granting customs authorities to conduct pre-trial investigations, and it is proposed to to delimit the powers of the authorities conducting it, for which purpose to determine the jurisdiction of the crime of “Smuggling of goods” for the bodies of the State Customs Service of Ukraine.

Purpose Law enforcement agencies in the United States are relying on state fusion centers for intelligence to develop actionable, data-driven reports that increase efficiency and improve investigations in crime prevention and homeland security. This study assesses the extent to which artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) are increasingly shaping intelligence operations in law enforcement and the functions of state fusion centers in supporting intelligence-led policing (ILP). The reliance and integration of AI/ML is improving analytic accuracy, situational awareness and information and data sharing and collaboration among law enforcement and homeland security agencies. This study examines the state of contemporary academic literature, assesses AI/ML applications used in law enforcement and builds a conceptual and theoretical framework centered on ILP policing. It also relies on empirical data, case study applications, and DHS assessments to explore the degree to which AI-driven processes and analytics enhance criminal intelligence, investigative efficiencies, situational awareness and predictive policing. The analysis, while focusing on the opportunities and challenges of using AI/ML tools in law enforcement, also highlights the need for ethical governance, transparency and accountability when relying on advanced technologies for crime prevention and policing. Design/methodology/approach This study utilizes qualitative methods, including a thematic content analysis of government and think tank/practitioner reports as well as academic literature on the benefits, costs and ethical factors regarding variations in the implementation of AI/ML tools for law enforcement intelligence products and resource allocation. For cross-validation of operational outcomes, it examines publicly available information in the DHS Fusion Center Annual Assessment, Bureau of Justice Statistics, LEMAS and RAND Corporation assessments of intelligence-led policing. Findings Qualitative Results Federal and state sources report fusion centers and law enforcement agencies integrating advanced analytic and ML-enabled tools into each step in the criminal intelligence lifecycle process. However, ethical and structural challenges limit and constrain technology-driven narratives in fusion centers. Given these challenges, there is a consistent qualitative and thematic pattern: state fusion centers now function as criminal intelligence analytic hubs or resources that leverage the most contemporary analytic and data-driven tools for criminal intelligence and law enforcement investigations. Interrelated themes describe AI/ML technologies in terms of shaping, constraining and complicating the intelligence lifecycle in fusion centers and law enforcement operations. Seven specific themes emerged from latent coding are illustrated in the chart. Research limitations/implications There are limitations on the collection of quantitative data since DHS, leading think tanks and NGOs do not disclose specific figures on the proportion of AI/ML tools. The DHS Fusion Center Annual Assessment process monitors technology adoption and the growth of analytic capabilities throughout the national network of fusion centers; however, the specific quantitative statistics are not disclosed in public summaries (DHS, 2024). Second, publicly available data and information constitute the bulk of empirical sources. Consequently, this study relies primarily on qualitative narrative reporting, not quantitative performance metrics. Third, publication bias is likely present in industry and government sources as these reports may provide overly optimistic observations and conclusions while overlooking ethical dilemmas, failures and challenges. Moreover, qualitative thematic analysis could reflect broader structural narratives as opposed to empirical outcomes. Finally, since AI/ML adoption varies across fusion centers and according to technology levels, qualitative themes identified in this study must be read as representative patterns and not as universally generalizable. Originality/value Fusion center utilization of AI/ML technologies is as much an operational tool as it is a policy, governance and ethical challenge. Successful and professional use in support of law enforcement is about placing technological innovations firmly within institutional accountability and constitutional guardrails. On the one hand, AI/ML tools are enhancing analytical intelligence production by accelerating analytic workflows, predictive modeling and expanding data/information integration capabilities. AI/ML are extending ILP concepts by offering improvements in situational awareness and threat identification and operational efficiencies. On the other, substantial constraints hinder responsible use of these technologies. In the absence of standardized oversight frameworks, data-quality issues, algorithmic bias and the lack of professional development, workforce capacity and critical skills on the part of fusion center analysts will cancel the benefits of these tools.

Összefoglalás. A tanulmány célja a mesterséges intelligencia (MI) belügyi és biztonsági célú alkalmazásának bemutatása, különös figyelemmel az arcfelismerő rendszerek és egyéb MI alapú megoldások rendvédelmi, nemzetbiztonsági, valamint önkormányzati és vízgazdálkodási területen való alkalmazásának lehetőségeire, adatvédelmi és kibervédelmi szempontjaira. A tanulmány ennek kapcsán mind az irányadó magyar és európai uniós előírásokat és célkitűzéseket, mind az MI-re irányadó hatósági gyakorlatot számba veszi és ismerteti, valamint ezek tanulságait összefoglalja és kiértékeli az egyes MI alapú megoldások sajátosságainak figyelembevételével. Summary. The purpose of the study is to take a closer look on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) concerning internal affairs and for security purposes, with a key focus on facial recognition systems and other solutions used by law enforcement and national security agencies to answer new challenges posed by cybercrime and criminal networks spreading through the cyberspace. In the light of the above, the study further takes into account the risks associated with the usage of AI solutions concerning internal affairs and for security purposes and tries to find possible measures to minimize them. Bearing this in mind, the study highlights the key relevant Hungarian and European Union requirements and goals, including the approach of the European Union concerning biometric identification and the Hungarian AI Strategy’s vision on the usage of AI based solutions for administrative, law enforcement, defense and military national security purposes. The study further analyzes the practical aspects of the usage of AI solutions by law enforcement agencies and the key aspects of facial recognition systems and other similar solutions. This includes the territory affected by the system, the period of monitoring, the human revision of the results presented by the algorithms, as well as data security minimum requirements and the rights of data subjects affected by AI solutions (e.g. sufficient information provided on the processing of their data in accordance with the national and public interests related to the usage of AI solutions). In addition to the above, the study further discusses the use of AI solutions by national security agencies, including the aspects of monitoring dark web activities conducted by criminal and terrorist organizations and ways for national agencies to intercept messages and gather evidence by new solutions in line with data protection and constitutional requirements. Finally, the study helps us understand, how AI based solutions can be used for facilitating everyday work of local governments (with a key focus on chatbot services and self-service opportunities) and for solving water management related tasks more efficiently, thus creating a more modern administration, where citizens can easily interact with administrative bodies and technical or simpler tasks are undertaken by algorithms. All in all, the study outlines how AI is currently used concerning internal affairs and for security purposes and how it can be used to help law enforcement and national security agencies fight new forms of crime empowered by technology or to further modernize local governments and water management systems and apply AI based solutions in accordance with data protection requirements and procedural laws.

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of public administration features formation in the conditions of strategic changes. The article focuses on the law enforcement agencies’ role in public administration in Ukraine. The main directions of public administration improvement within the framework of European integration reform are considered. Public administration development stages within the framework of state-public relations are determined. The content and state’s law-enforcement function peculiarities are analyzed. Due to major socio-political changes, the importance to develop and implement fundamentally new approaches to state’s law-enforcement function implementation is proved. The consequences of law-enforcement function limitation by legal forms and active use of illegal content forms are analyzed. Firstly, it covers a wide range of public relations and processes through law enforcement activities. Secondly, it promotes non-governmental organizations and citizens involvement in law-enforcement process. Thirdly, it reflects the objective pattern inherent in the rule of law. The law enforcement agencies’ role of a democratic state in law enforcement process is investigated. The law-enforcement agencies are regarded as public authorities empowered to monitor compliance with legislation in a particular defined area of law, to use coercion to enforce their tasks. The content of state’s law-enforcement bodies, their organization and activity determined by law, is revealed. The current problems of administrative decision preparation and organization of law-enforcement activity, in particular anti-corruption, are considered. The public administration elements in relation to each law-enforcement anti-corruption activity entities are considered.

Цель: to analyze the far-right extremism’s anti- government ideology as an external threat to law enforcement officers. Methods: dialectical approach to cognition of social phenomena, using the general and specific research methods based on it. Results: The relationship between far-right extremism and law enforcement in the United States has a long and complicated history. In 2020, this relationship was on display as both far-right extremists and law enforcement agencies were brought into the national spotlight for their roles in multiple unprecedented events. This research discusses how far-right extremism’s anti- government ideology represents an external threat to law enforcement officers. This threat is discussed through the presentation of 30-years of data on law enforcement officers killed in the line-of-duty by far-right extremists from the Extremist Crime Database. In addition, the research also examines law enforcement’s implicit and explicit support for far-right extremism, which creates an internal threat against the legitimacy of the profession. Finally, policy initiatives that come from, and build upon, prior research are discussed to reduce these threats.Scientific novelty: for the first time, the work substantiates that far-right extremists threaten the safety of law enforcement officers in the United States. Antigovernment extremists, who do not believe that they are subject to the laws of the jurisdiction where they live, pose the risk of escalating to violent acts when encountering law enforcement when they engage in both ideologically motivated and routine criminal activity. In addition, law enforcement agencies who hire far-right extremists face the very real prospect of becoming illegitimate in the eyes of the communities to whom they are sworn to serve and protect. Decades of criminological research has shown that lack of trust in law enforcement makes the job of policing a community more difficult and more dangerous. Although multiple paths forward were outlined that build on prior research and empirical knowledge, only decisive action by law enforcement and policymakers will result in outcomes that reduce the risk of external violent victimization to police and protect law enforcement agencies from being delegitimized by the presence of far-right extremists within their ranks.Practical significance: the main provisions and conclusions of the article can be used in scientific, pedagogical and law enforcement activities when considering issues related to the prevention, suppression and investigation of extremist crimes.The article was first published in English language by Criminology, Criminal Justice, Law & Society and The Western Society of Criminology Hosting by Scholastica. For more information please contact: CCJLS@WesternCriminology.org.For original publication: Parkin, W. S., Mills, C. E., Gruenewald, J. (2021). Far-Right Extremism’s Threat to Police Safety and the Organizational Legitimacy of Law Enforcement in the United States, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Law & Society, 2021, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 1–24. Publication URL: https://ccjls.scholasticahq.com/article/26321-far-right-extremism-s-threat-to-police-safety-and-the-organizational-legitimacy-of-law-enforcement-in-the-united-states

This article provides a comprehensive political and legal analysis of law enforcement agencies as the primary actors in law enforcement. It identifies conceptual challenges in understanding both law enforcement agencies and their functions. Using methods from legal political science and a broad array of sources, the author defines the essential political and socio-legal characteristics of law enforcement agencies. The implementation of law enforcement activities through state coercion should constitute the core responsibility of authorized state bodies, which are equipped with the necessary resources and tools. The law enforcement system may also include government institutions that directly execute functions and powers on behalf of law enforcement agencies. The legal objective of the law enforcement system is to uphold public order, while its practical goal is to ensure security in specific spheres of public life. Service in law enforcement is a distinct form of public service and is carried out on a professional basis. The identified features are synthesized in the author's definition of the term “law enforcement agencies”. The diversity of such agencies predetermines the specific nature of their political functions, shaped by their institutional position and role within the state apparatus and in line with official policy. The internal policy of each law enforcement agency is built on a strict organizational structure and hierarchy. Political orientations and ambitions of senior leadership play a crucial role – not only in shaping internal interactions among staff but also in determining the external goals and strategic positioning of operational and other personnel. The leadership of law enforcement agencies is obligated to align both internal and external operations with the documented political will of central government authorities. These agencies require a clear framework of priorities, objectives, and an appropriate ideological foundation for their activities. The essential role of law enforcement agencies in the political sphere is most evident in their efforts to counter global threats such as corruption, terrorism, and extremism.

This article examines the administrative procedure for registering and subsequently reviewing citizens' appeals in the troops of the National Guard of the Russian Federation. The object of the study is the system of legal regulation and work with citizens' appeals as an element of the administrative and legal regulation of interactions between the state and society. Of particular interest is the analysis of digital tools used in this area. The functions of the federal state information system "Gosuslugi" (State Services), the mechanism for mandatory identification of applicants for electronic appeals introduced on March 30, 2025, as well as the specifics of the operation of automated information systems of the Russian National Guard are considered. The relevance of the study is determined by the following factors: the need to implement the innovations of March 2025 in the context of different law enforcement practices; the need to ensure transparency and accessibility of procedures for reviewing appeals in law enforcement agencies; the need to optimize administrative processes based on digital solutions; the importance of increasing citizen trust in government institutions through improved feedback mechanisms. A combination of scientific methods was used for the analysis: formal-legal, comparative-legal, and systemic. This ensured the comprehensiveness and objectivity of the study. The incomplete implementation of digital technologies (primarily in terms of receiving citizens' requests electronically), their limited functionality, and insufficient employee training lead to a decrease in the transparency of procedures and undermine the effectiveness of the citizen request system. The study suggests that the creation of a unified digital platform for recording requests, integrated with federal registries and databases, could improve the legal certainty of procedures, expedite the review process, and enhance the effectiveness of the Russian National Guard's citizen engagement efforts. It is also proposed to utilize artificial intelligence capabilities in the initial processing of incoming requests, their registration, determining their jurisdiction, and preparing initial draft resolutions. The study's results can be used to improve the Russian National Guard's departmental regulations, increase the transparency of procedures, and reduce the time it takes to review requests. Proposals for digitalizing processes could improve the quality of the Russian National Guard's interactions with citizens and reduce the administrative burden on employees.

The article is devoted to the study of information and analytical support of law enforcement activities. Today, information and analytical systems are becoming an integral part of law enforcement operations, providing timely access to the necessary data and enabling their analysis. Against the backdrop of the vast destruction caused by the ongoing war in Ukraine, the author emphasises the enormous volume of information that must be processed to ensure the effective fulfilment of law enforcement tasks. It is noted that information and analytical support of law enforcement activities in Ukraine is a complex and multifaceted process that requires a comprehensive approach. The introduction of modern technologies, the integration of information systems, the training of personnel capable of effectively using advanced technologies, legal regulation, and international cooperation are identified as key elements that can enhance the efficiency of law enforcement bodies. It is underlined that the implementation of automated information management systems contributes to faster responses to crimes and improves coordination among various law enforcement agencies. It is argued that information and analytical support of law enforcement activities in Ukraine is a demanding process that necessitates consideration of technological, legal, educational, and social aspects, the effective integration of which can significantly strengthen security and public order in the country. Attention is drawn to international cooperation in the field of information and analytical support, as well as to the fact that international experience in this area can be valuable for Ukraine. In particular, the successful practices of other countries can be adapted to Ukrainian realities, taking into account the specifics of the national legal system and the organisational structure of law enforcement bodies. This will not only increase operational effectiveness but also ensure compliance with international standards in this sphere.

The article presents an analysis of the security situation in Ukraine at the end of 2024 and the impact on this situation of several factors that are the determining components of the state of security in the country. Attention is drawn to the fact that the complexity of the situation in the country is a consequence of the existence of not only external factors – the implementation of full-scale aggression by the Russian Federation, but also internal factors, including the situation in the criminal sphere. The importance of the presented research material lies in determining the conditions necessary for fulfilling the tasks of the national security strategy, the ability of the state to resist not only external, but also internal threats. An objective analysis and assessment of the factors specified in the study, which took place not only in 2024, but also throughout the entire armed aggression of the Russian Federation against our state and on which the security situation in the country depends, makes it possible to predict with a significant degree of probability for 2025 such important trends for our society as the dynamics of the crime situation, types of offenses on which law enforcement agencies should primarily focus their attention. The study focuses on the importance of the activities of the National Police as an important component of the law enforcement system of Ukraine, the role of the National Police in ensuring the proper state of the security environment in the state. The purpose of the article is precisely to carry out a current analysis of the state of national security, to identify those of its components that currently cause concern and which, in the absence of effective measures by the National Police, will increase their negative impact. The material presented in the article, the review and analysis of the state of the security environment in the state, make it possible to conclude that the security situation existing in society requires a more active influence on these processes by the law enforcement structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs system, increasing the efficiency of the work of the aforementioned state institutions and their further interaction. Keywords: National Police of Ukraine, national security, security situation, forecasting, identification of factors, crime rate, full-scale invasion, martial law.

In their forefront role to address human trafficking, law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have often faced challenges in efforts to investigate this crime. Non-traditional partnerships should be explored to improve strategies to investigate human trafficking. Could private investigation agencies (PIAs) collaborate with LEAs to help improve human trafficking investigations? The present study examines PIAs’ experiences of collaboration with LEAs for human trafficking investigations. A mixed research method design was used. Purposive sampling was used to select 81 participants representing 81 PIAs for a survey. Follow-up semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 of the 39 survey participants who reported that their agencies had collaborated with LEAs for human trafficking investigations. The findings show varying levels of success and challenges for PIAs in interagency collaboration with LEAs. The challenges to collaboration identified could be mostly explained by LEAs’ misperceptions of private investigators, their over-reliance on a criminal approach instead of a victim-centered one in investigating trafficking cases and recovering victims, and legal or ethical limitations. Positive aspects of PIA–LEA partnerships regarding human trafficking investigations were discussed and so were strategies to address inherent challenges to interagency collaboration. Several policy implications were discussed for developing and improving partnership initiatives with law enforcement in an effort to prevent human trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute trafficking cases.

The authors in the content of the article carries out a comparative legal analysis of the criminal procedural and departmental legislation of the Russian Federation and the United States of America regulating the processes of organization and activity of investigative groups formed in the system of law enforcement and investigative bodies of these states. It is noted that the criminal procedure legislation of the United States, due to the peculiarities of the Anglo-Saxon system of law, has many differences in the field of regulatory regulation of criminal proceedings, especially pre-trial stages. The author defines the preliminary investigation bodies of the Russian Federation and the investigative bodies of the United States, whose structure provides for the possibility of organizing and operating investigative groups. Thus, it is determined that these bodies in Russia, in accordance with the criminal procedure legislation of the Russian Federation, include investigative bodies of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, as well as investigative units of internal affairs bodies. In the law enforcement and law enforcement practice of the United States, the investigative bodies include, in accordance with national legislation, the police, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, while it is established that the form of investigation is an inquiry carried out by the judicial authorities authorized to investigate crimes. In the substantive part of the presented article, the author analyzes the provisions on the classification of investigative groups of investigative bodies of the Russian Federation and the United States, that is, on the types of investigative groups provided, the grounds for their division into types depending on the grounds defined by legislation. Thus, it is determined that investigative groups of Russian investigative bodies can be formed in the divisions of the relevant investigative bodies on the grounds provided for in Part 1 of art. 163 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation, at the same time, similar grounds for the creation and assignment of an investigation to an investigation team are also enshrined in American criminal procedure legislation. As a rule, such grounds are the complexity of the criminal case (meaning the complexity in the process of investigation, collecting evidence, evidentiary information and attaching them to the criminal case), as well as a large amount of procedural and (or) other work on the criminal case. Another similar aspect in the context of comparative legal analysis of investigative groups of law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation and the United States is the possibility of organizing investigative and operational and interdepartmental groups. However, according to US law, the organization of investigative and operational groups is directly provided for by the norms of departmental legislation, and according to the legislation of the Russian Federation, the possibility of organizing investigative and operational groups (as well as interdepartmental ones), unfortunately, is not provided, as a result of which the procedural registration of the creation of such groups is reflected exclusively in the acts of the bodies of inquiry. In conclusion, the author also analyzes the features of the creation of investigative groups of US law enforcement agencies associated with the wide differentiation of investigative groups depending on the activities carried out: the investigation of certain types and categories of crimes; the formation, accumulation, systematization and improvement of law enforcement practices related to the activities of investigative groups to investigate crimes; the permanent nature of the activities of various investigative teams, which determines to a certain extent their effectiveness.