The Washington/Baltimore HIDTA's Investigative Support Center (ISC) serves as the center for collection, analysis and dissemination of law enforcement intelligence information. Through its five branches, Watch Center, Analytical Support Unit, Crime Mapping Unit, Gang Unit and Trends Analysis Unit, the Center assists the region's law enforcement agencies in targeting, investigating and prosecuting individuals and organizations involved in drug trafficking, as well as, money laundering.

WATCH Center

The Watch Center provides tactical intelligence support services to the HIDTA region's law enforcement officers. These services include "one-stop" access to numerous federal, state and local law enforcement databases and an event deconfliction service.

Strategic Intelligence Section

The Strategic Intelligence Section provides intelligence analysis services and strategic intelligence reports to the W/B HIDTA initiatives and area law enforcement agencies investigating drug trafficking, money laundering and weapons trafficking cases. The intelligence analysts collect intelligence data on drug traffickers and criminal organizations, and study changes and emerging trends in drug trafficking and drug-related crime. They also investigate money laundering, currency movement in the Washington/Baltimore area and provide case development assistance and post seizure analysis services to law enforcement agencies throughout the HIDTA region. In addition, the Strategic Analysis section prepares the W/B HIDTA’s annual Threat Assessment and Strategy, as well as special reports on topics of interest to this region’s law enforcement and criminal justice communities.

Crime Mapping Unit

The Crime Mapping Unit offers state of the art crime mapping services and assistance in evaluating the effectiveness of law enforcement operations to both W/B HIDTA initiatives and law enforcement agencies throughout the region. The Crime Mapping Unit’s staff uses the latest in mapping software and geographic analysis techniques to develop maps tailored to the needs of the agency or initiative requesting them.

Analytic Support Unit

The Analytic Support Unit provides case support services to the W/B HITDA law enforcement initiatives and participating agencies. A great deal of the work is focused on the areas of communications and financial analysis. The Analytic Support Unit's intelligence analysts use automated law enforcement databases and specialized intelligence analysis software (Visual Analytics, Penlink and i2 Analyst Notebook) to assist investigators and prosecutors with complex conspiracy cases. The analysts also provide time sensitive analysis of DNR and pager data, Title III information, seized documents and financial data.

GangNet

GangNet is a regional gang intelligence database that is provided free of charge by the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA to law enforcement, corrections officials, and prosecutors within the Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia area. GangNet provides access to timely sharing of gang intelligence information in an effort to prevent and control crime while abiding by the privacy and constitutional rights of individuals.