U.S. Department of Justice

Financial Investigations Guide U.S. Department of Justice

Convicting and incarcerating leaders of criminal enterprises often fails to close down the illegal operation. The enterprise continues because the economic infrastructure remains intact. Destruction of the financial underpinnings of crime syndicates through asset forfeiture is essential to law enforcement success. All criminal prosecutors and investigators must master the basics of financial investigations if they are to be effective. This pamphlet is designed to acquaint prosecutors and agents with basic financial investigative techniques that should be considered in every investigation. It is not enough to ask only: "What crime?" and "What defendants?" There is a third question that must be asked at the beginning of each case: "What assets?" A careful financial investigation can lead from the street dealer to the kingpins.