In its 2018 report released on July 24 the District Attorney General of Lisbon (PGDL) draws attention to the lack of prosecutors, the shortage of police officers and the lack of experts in various areas, which are increasingly necessary for investigations of complex crimes.

With regard to digital evidence the document points out that “forensic investigations experience unbearable delays” and that real-time intervention with immediate responsiveness is lost “due to the weakness of available technology”. “There are areas of criminal investigation where the MP maintains a complete dependence on PJ specialists, whose dedication, zeal and competence we publicly acknowledge, without prejudice to equipment, human and financial resources shortcomings.” the document states.

MP´s responsiveness is “extremely constrained by the shortage of magistrates” which tends to worsen along with the lack of bailiffs in the counties of Lisbon, West Lisbon, North Lisbon, Azores and Madeira.

In addition to the lack of magistrates, it is found that the counties are struggling with long term sick leave, risky pregnancy situations or parental leave “with difficulty or even impossible to meet the goals set”

“The numbers are beginning to show that some difficulties are already being felt, namely in terms of pending increase and there are fears that “the recovery of pending issues will be jeopardized” the document reads.

The document notes the concern with the growth of cybercrime associated with forms of corruption in various areas, a crime that the MP “cannot, in the vast majority of situations, do without the necessary realization of obtaining digital evidence” and “fast computer skills”

“A swift investigation is not sympathetic to conducting expertise that takes up to years, which is why ways have to be found to shorten the timeframe for conducting such expertise” it says. Also the international dimension of certain types of crime and the intertwining of financial and corruption crimes and related crimes has increased the opacity of “modi operandi” and the spread of organized action.

Violent crime has been characterized by the role of itinerant gangs with great geographical mobility, sometimes of international dimension, demanding “information sharing and concentration of investigation in the MP” and team work with the Criminal Police Offices to avoid a feeling of impunity.

In particularly violent crime, youth gangs are emphasized, boosted by the use of social networks, creating new challenges in collecting electronic evidence and investigations initiated on the Internet.

As for domestic violence the report recognizes the central importance of technical and expert support from psychologists for risk analysis so that judges “can strengthen and substantiate support for their decisions.” Concerning technical, financial, accounting and computer advisory services, the report underlines that the Departments of Investigation and Criminal Actions (DIAP) need “proximity computer advisory services that can expedite the carrying out of expedited computer skills to small amounts of information, in order to reduce the waiting time in the realization of simpler skills”.

“This way it is possible to make other inquiries of small size and complexity which are dependent on simpler computer skills.” Suggesting the use of technology (forensic room) that exists in the Central Department of Criminal Investigation and Prosecution “in the cooperation between its director and the Judicial Police” something that could “facilitate the analysis of evidence, particularly in less complex situations” it explains.

The report shows that asset recovery effectiveness and performance can be improved by explaining that the loss of proceeds of crime can in many situations be more effective than detention measures themselves and the DIAPs should establish guidelines that allow, during the investigation, to identify assets to ensure seizure or seizure of property.