Central Criminal Investigation Directorate

un enquêteur relève des empreintes sur lieu d'un crime

The Central Criminal Investigation Directorate (Direction centrale "police judiciaire - DCPJ) includes the Criminal Investigation Department (Service de police judiciaire - SPJ) and, in conjunction with the SPJ director and regional directors, provides strategic coordination of the missions of the SPJ at national level in the implementation of the strategic priorities.

The DCPJ is assisted by the support committee tasked with overseeing the operation of the SPJ and defining the legal and strategic priorities. The purpose of the committee is to support and supervise criminal investigation work. It is a key body for cooperation, consultation and dialogue between the two main operators in the field of criminal investigation.

This committee comprises the Chief Public Prosecutor in the chair, the State Prosecutors, the chief investigating judge to the Luxembourg district court, the director-general of the Grand-Ducal Police, the head of the central criminal investigation directorate, the Criminal Investigation Department director (DSPJ) and the central administrative police director (DCPA).

Generally speaking, the DCPJ has a strategic role and, in judicial matters, a role of coordination and collaboration (the SPJ fulfils an operational role).

The SPJ has its headquarters in the Capital region and comprises departments sub-divided into decentralised sections and services of the SPJ in the north, south-west and centre-east regions.

Its duties include:

  • searches and investigations in connection with serious or particularly complex offences;
  • identification, sampling, conservation and processing of traces and prints, including fingerprints and DNA in accordance with the applicable laws;
  • maintaining and updating fingerprint records and files on genetic processing and documentation on convicted offenders;
  • processing messages from Interpol, Europol, CCPD, PWGT, SIRENE;
  • extraditions (on European or international warrants);
  • centralisation and processing of information in key areas;
  • provision of training in collaboration with the Training department;
  • response to requests for assistance from foreign courts;
  • liaising with external partners (both nationally and internationally).

The SPJ comprises the following departments and sections:

  1. Crime against property
    o Suppression of organised crime
    o General crime
    o Cybercrime
    o Specialist investigations
  2. Crime against persons
    o Offences against persons
    o Sexual offences and juvenile delinquency
  3. Organised crime
    o Narcotics
    o Organised crime
    o Anti-terrorism
  4. Economic and financial crime
    o Economic and financial offences
    o Anti-money laundering
    o International mutual legal assistance
    o Training, support and methodology
  5. Support
    o New technologies
    o Crime scene investigation
    o Forensic science unit
    o Operational legal support

The following areas of competence exist within the decentralised criminal investigation services and are part of the SPJ:

  • organised robbery;
  • general crime;
  • child abuse and juvenile delinquency;
  • narcotics;
  • crime scene investigation;
  • economic and financial offences (north region only).

Last update