Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics and Training

The Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics and Training (OCEFT) directs EPA's Criminal program, provides a board range of technical and forensic services for civil and criminal investigative support and oversees the Agency's enforcement and compliance assurance training programs for federal, state and local environmental professionals.

OCEFT provides direct investigative, forensic and technical support to the Office of Homeland Defense, FBI, and/or other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to help detect and prevent, or respond to, homeland security-related environmental, biological or chemical incidents.

The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) investigates the most significant and egregious violators of environmental laws. CID refers cases that pose significant risks to human health and the environment for criminal prosecutions. CID Special Agents are sworn federal law enforcement officers with full law enforcement authorities. Today, EPA CID has offices located in 16 Area Offices and 25 Resident Offices across the country. CID participates nationwide in over 90 environmental crime task forces with federal, state and local law enforcement partners.

The Legal Counsel and Resource Management Division (LCRMD) provides legal, resource management, and civil investigative support in furtherance of OCEFT's mission. The Legal Counsel staff provides general legal counseling, criminal and civil litigation support, and policy advice. The Resource Management staff provides budget, procurement, personnel and facilities support. A team of Civil Investigators provides investigative support on civil environmental enforcement cases.

The National Enforcement Investigations Center (NEIC) develops and implements innovative techniques, practices, and procedures using its scientific and technical expertise, devises specialized methods and/or technical field applications, and transfers these capabilities to state, local, and Federal environmental enforcement and compliance assurance programs. NEIC is the first environmental forensic center in the country to be accredited by the National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC) for its environmental measurement activities in field measurements/monitoring, field sampling, and laboratory measurements.

The National Enforcement Training Institute (NETI) is responsible for training federal, state, local and tribal lawyers, inspectors, civil and criminal investigators and technical experts in the enforcement and compliance of the nations environmental laws. NETI promotes a balanced training approach using traditional classroom training, distance learning tools such as computer-based training, and cooperative agreements with other organizations to reach a broad audience.