The National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction

352 investigations and 162 charged cases. CEOS’s HTIU – consisting of a handful of computerforensic specialists – was instrumental in nearly every investigation and case, often discoveringkey evidence that meant the difference between the conviction or acquittal of a dangerous sexoffender, or conviction for a higher or more serious offense. The large number of cases andinvestigations generated results primarily from resources dedicated to national operations and thesignificant involvement of CEOS’ High Tech Investigative Unit in undertaking the forensicinvestigation necessary to identify the targets. This upward trend can be expected to continuebased on CEOS’ deep expertise, single-mission focus, along with its position as a headquartersunit—unrestricted by jurisdictional boundaries.CEOS’ nationwide focus also positions it to develop strategic partnerships outside of lawenforcement circles in order to expand the effectiveness of the Department’s overall enforcementefforts. CEOS again takes full advantage of this unique ability -- having developed criticalpartnerships with key Non-Governmental Organizations, foreign governments (through bilateraland multilateral efforts, and through international police organizations such as INTERPOL andEUROPOL) and foreign entities such as the G8, the Council of Europe, and the United NationsCrime Commission. CEOS also engages the private sector in order to find ways for technologycompanies to fight the trafficking of child pornography over the Internet.CEOS also has helped shape legislation in a number of ways. In some instances, CEOSattorneys drafted legislative proposals in order to make the laws more effective. In otherinstances, CEOS is also called upon to provide Congress with technical assistance concerningpending legislation. Coordinated through the Department’s Office of Legislative Affairs, CEOSattorneys will analyze and comment on pending legislation, or will meet with staffers forinformal briefings to share their expertise and perspective on a specific crime problem.Whenever new legislation is passed, CEOS then provides critical guidance to the field on how toimplement the new laws. This guidance takes many forms: formal memoranda, advice providedto prosecutors who call CEOS’ duty line, and sample indictments or briefs responding to defensechallenges to the new provision.CEOS also partners with all United States Attorney’s Offices, all federal law enforcementagencies, as well as foreign law enforcement, to operate nationally and trans-nationally targetingoffenders that almost invariably are unburdened by geographical boundaries. This affords CEOSa unique view of the global threat and provides a firm basis of knowledge with which to aid inthe development of a focused and coordinated response.Many prosecutors and agents find child sexual exploitation cases to be technically andemotionally challenging, if not something to avoid altogether. Thus, CEOS considers it a criticalpart of its mission to provide extensive guidance and training to AUSAs and agents who areworking these cases. This guidance, which takes the various forms described below, covers awide range of topics such as (1) developing and presenting computer forensic evidence at trial;(2) addressing recurring defense strategies, and handling well-known defense experts; (3) how toeffectively use the specialized statutes and Rules of Evidence that apply to child sexualexploitation cases; (4) the novel issue of victim restitution in non-contact child pornographycases; and many other topics. In just over a year, CEOS provided training more than 170 times48