ATF’s Financial Investigative Services Division (FISD) provides comprehensive financial investigative services in support of ATF criminal investigations.
FISD is staffed by skilled forensic auditors who use the latest technology to comb through complex data and detect financial crimes such as money laundering and mail and wire fraud. They assist special agents with investigating firearms trafficking, arson, explosives violations, and tobacco and alcohol trafficking. Their work helps identify suspects, illegal profits, and assets that may be seized for the Department of Justice’s Asset Forfeiture Fund.
Forensic auditors conduct financial interviews with various sources including accountants, representatives of financial institutions, and insurance companies to gather financially related information for cases. They identify financial records for seizure prior to agents serving search warrants as well as accompany them during searches. FISD staff members also train ATF and non-ATF personnel on financial investigations and forensic accounting and auditing.
Combating Violent Crime
ATF special agents rely on FISD’s thorough financial analysis to find links to financial violations. These analyses are used in prosecutions to establish motive for violent crimes and to help ensure offenders receive enhanced sentences for their crimes. FISD personnel also share their forensic accounting skills with multi-agency task forces such as the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), helping them disrupt organized crime, gangs and criminal enterprise operations.
