The FBI believes strongly in the value and benefit of weaving victim liaison and support services into everything it does, especially its investigations and operational responses. It helps establish trust and enhances cooperation from victims and the public and also assists with identifying and communicating with additional victims and witnesses. The FBI believes there is a direct relationship between providing victim assistance and successfully investigating a case. Whether it is a mass casualty attack or the sexual exploitation of children, agents rely on FBI victim specialists to provide crisis support services, information, and links to other forms of assistance in their communities. Some FBI agents refer to the victim specialists and forensic child interviewers as “human evidence technicians” because they play a valuable role that is similar to other Bureau specialists such as forensic evidence specialists or crisis negotiators. Victim specialists can play an invaluable role in cases involving child victims and other high risk victims. Over the past 14 years, the FBI’s victim assistance program has grown to include the uniquely experienced Victim Assistance Rapid Deployment Team that has responded to numerous mass shootings and acts of terrorism. The team consists of agents, victim specialists, analysts, and evidence response techs to provide a multi-disciplinary response to victims and families.
