Canadian Internet Child Exploitation Course (CICEC)

Purpose of the Course

At the National Child Exploitation Co-Ordination Centre’s (NCECC) first annual conference in 2004, a strong demand was made for the Centre to offer a national training program for investigators handling online child exploitation crimes.

In response to this demand, a two-day focus group meeting was held in November, 2004, with subject-matter-experts from across Canada. During this meeting, it was acknowledged that while there are various existing training courses that touch on some of the key topics identified, there is no program or course that currently exists that is designed solely for investigators handling online child exploitation crimes.

During the focus group sessions, discussion centred on the need to establish a consistent and standardized investigator’s training program for handling online child exploitation crimes that will:

• alleviate bad case law;
• establish a training program with courses that are recognized and accredited across the country;
• provide national investigative standards;
• develop an operational manual for national distribution;
• recognize and address new trends and changes in case laws; and
• create a reporting structure (National Centre should be the National Voice for Canada) by increasing awareness of the Centre’s existence and mandate

As a result of these discussions, a new course is designed that will prepare investigators in their investigations and prosecutions of online offences related to the sexual exploitation of children. Participants on this course will:

• combine traditional investigative techniques with newer methods such as online tools;
• recognize that the nature of the crimes being investigated alters how investigators write search warrants, search for evidence, and interview suspects;
• recognize the potential value of the media and how much or little information to divulge on a case; and
• recognize the psychological effects that this job has on investigators and their families.

Course Objectives

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• identify the offence;
• form an opinion on whether they believe the images viewed are child porn;
• write a child exploitation related search warrant;
• use both online tools and more traditional techniques to gather evidence;
• execute a search warrant;
• prepare a press release;
• prepare a release and conditions;
• testify in court;
• update appropriate databases;
• describe future challenges;
• interview possible pedophiles; and
• describe the psychological impact this job has on them.

Participant Selection Criteria

Prospective participants interested in attending this course must meet the following criteria:

• be currently working full-time, investigating child exploitation crimes or be sanctioned to investigate child exploitation crimes; and
• have successfully completed the Digital Technologies for Investigators (DTIC) course (for 2009 and later courses)

Participant Assessment

Participants will be assessed individually and in groups through a series of practical, performance-based problem solving exercises consisting of case studies, exercises, and assignments.

In addition there is a course-long scenario that will require completion of individual and group assignments. Participants are also required to pass a written exam related to the topics covered. The passing mark for a successful completion of the course is 75%.

Logistics

Duration of course: Two weeks (10 working days)

Location: Canadian Police College

Number of Participants: Twenty

Language: English