Page 213 - Supplemento 2-2016 (ENG)

Tackling Environmental Crime throUgh standardized Methodologies

Finally the problem of forest fires is one we could call historical and never
eradicated. It involves the whole country and it generates high levels of social
concern: the Forest Department has always made great efforts moving from
simple active struggle to the development of the most sophisticated and wide-
spread investigative techniques aiming to identify the responsible parties.

Furthermore this problem is not confined any more to the Mediterranean
area, but is strongly affecting countries that had been hitherto apparently
immune from it, as shown by the recent cases in Sweden and Norway.

We have therefore developed a specific simulator, based on the experience
of the Method of Physical Needs: identifying the fire’s perimeter it’s possible to
get to the point of origin therefore finding the possible trigger, thus facilitating
the identification of a probable cause and making it more likely to find the peo-
ple who are responsible for the crime. This is the first simulator of its kind in
the world, currently being further developed to be used in other environmental
crimes. These actions to confront forest fires are carried out in co-ordination
with a specialized central unit. (NIAB – Investigative Unit Against Forest Fires)

Part 3
In conclusion, an analysis of the international scene clearly shows that
trafficking and traffickers involved in environmental crimes, in many cases,
match other criminal contexts (drugs, weapons, human beings, etc.) and use the
same trafficking routes.
Moreover there are studies in various countries showing that even terro-
rist groups, like Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab draw economic resources also
from environmental trafficking i.e. ivory and protected species.
Even in this framework the State Forestry Department has always been acti-
ve, playing a double role as both certifying and supervisory body, an integration
of information and skills that represent added value compared to other countries.
Specialisation and technical and scientific competence in this area is a
necessary condition to operate in all respects, and the presence of operative
units of the Italian Forest Corps (NOC - CITES Operative Units) by custom
areas has historically proved to be an exceptional resource for the effectiveness
and promptness of checks.

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