DCI stands for "Defense Criminal Investigative Service," and it refers to a federal law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Defense (DOD), which is responsible for conducting criminal investigations and providing investigative support services for the DOD and other designated national security agencies. The agency was established in 1981 to combat fraud, waste, abuse, and other criminal activities relating to the DOD programs and operations.
DCI serves as the primary investigative arm of the DOD, tasked with the mission of protecting the integrity of the nation's defense infrastructure and safeguarding American taxpayers' investments in the defense systems. Its jurisdiction includes matters such as procurement fraud, corruption, cybercrime, counterintelligence, drug trafficking, terrorism, and organized crime activities that may threaten the interests of the DOD and national security.
The agency's investigative personnel consists of highly trained special agents who are responsible for conducting complex investigations and collecting evidence to support prosecutions. DCI collaborates with various federal, state, local, and international law enforcement agencies, as well as intelligence organizations, to gather information and intelligence necessary for its investigations.
DCI's role extends beyond conducting criminal investigations. It also provides a wide range of investigative support services, including forensic examinations, technical surveillance countermeasures, polygraph examinations, and personnel security background investigations, among others.
In summary, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCI) is a federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Defense that carries out criminal investigations and provides investigative support services to protect the integrity of the DOD and national security.
