Operative support of operations and investigations (OE)
The division Operative support of operations and investigations supports the investigation and search units of the Bundeskriminalamt as well as all federal states’ police stations. Therefore, the division OE offers technological and non-technological services.
Development of new technological solutions to improve the fight against crime
In the field of "Technologies", current and emerging technical developments are analysed and assessed, taking into account both the needs of practical police work and information from the field of science. The "Technologies" staff test methods and tools, help to shape the technical aspects of the criminal police environment, and are available to provide an extensive array of services in support of investigations. On the basis of concentrated police and scientific know-how, strategic recommendations are prepared, and research and development projects are initiated which are oriented towards the needs of the police. The objective is both to identify the potential for abuse of the new technologies by offenders at an early stage and also to examine possibilities for utilisation by the police.
The Technical Service Centre for Information and Communications Technologies (TeSIT) was set up for the specific purpose of supporting investigative work at a high technological level. Further areas of concentration besides suppression of Internet crime are protection of critical infrastructures and applications-oriented development of biometric methods as well as forensic analysis of data carriers and development and testing of new operational technologies.
Mobile Task Force
Furthermore, the operational services of the Bundeskriminalamt are grouped in Division ZD. The mobile task force is a special unit mainly supporting investigation and search units on federal and state level by conducting surveillances and arrests.
Negotiating and Counselling Team
In cases of kidnapping, hostage-taking and large-scale extortion to the detriment of German citizens or German facilities and institutions in other countries, the specialists of the Negotiating and Counselling Team are called in. They support and counsel the police commanders in charge as well ad agencies, external institutions or companies with regard to the tactical, organisational and technical possibilities of the individual case. Therefore, they develop action strategies and counselling concepts in advance and compile threat analyses for individuals, companies and institutions.
Protection of witnesses
In connection with its own investigations, the BKA develops and implements measures for a comprehensive and effective protection of witnesses, their relatives and persons close to them. This way, physical and psychological influences on endangered persons are prevented, in order to ensure their ability and willingness to testify.
Central Federal Support Group in Response to Serious Nuclear Threats
Since August 2003, the federal states have been provides with assistance in certain types of danger situations through the Central Federal Support Group in Response to Serious Nuclear Threats (Zentrale Unterstützungsgruppe des Bundes für gravierende Fälle der nuklearspezifischen Gefahrenabwehr – ZUB). The Bundeskriminalamt is responsible for the management and administrative affairs of the ZUB that is comprised of specially trained staff form Germany’s Federal Office for Radiation Protection, the Federal Police and the Bundeskriminalamt. A special area – "NBC Support" – at the BKA provides advice and investigative support in connection with dangerous situations involving nuclear, radiological, biological or chemical substances.