Policing possession of child pornography online: investigating the training and resources dedicated to the investigation of cyber crime

The rapid expansion of the internet has introduced new challenges for law enforcement, particularly regarding the possession and distribution of child pornography. Unlike traditional crimes, these digital offenses often lack a clear physical crime scene, span multiple jurisdictions, and require specialized technical expertise to detect and prosecute. This study investigates how local and state law enforcement agencies in the United States are adapting to these challenges by examining the relationship between organizational resources—specifically specialized task forces and general cyber crime training—and the frequency of investigations and arrests for child pornography.

The researchers surveyed law enforcement agencies in U.S. cities with populations of 50,000 or more, achieving a 26.9% response rate (168 agencies). The survey collected data on the number of child pornography investigations and arrests conducted in 2007 and 2008. The analysis utilized logistic regression to determine if the presence of a dedicated cyber crime task force or general cyber crime training, alongside variables like department size and region, predicted higher levels of enforcement activity.

The study found that specialized task forces are a critical driver of enforcement, significantly increasing the likelihood that a department will investigate and arrest individuals for child pornography possession. While one might expect training to have a similar effect, the results were mixed: training was only significantly related to arrests in 2007 and showed no consistent impact on investigation rates or 2008 arrest data. The authors suggest that general training may be insufficient if it lacks depth or if the department still lacks the necessary personnel and specialized equipment to act on that knowledge.