A Primer in Crypto Currency Investigations for Law Enforcement

CLASS DESCRIPTION AND AGENDA (CLICK HERE)

NOTE: This class will reflect Missouri Law, federal law and information on legal processes and seizures/restitution (most state's laws are consistent)

Goal:  Equip Missouri investigators to recognize, preserve, charge, and prosecute cryptocurrency-enabled crimes using current Missouri statutes, federal authorities, and accepted forensic practice.

Terminal Learning Objectives.

Upon course completion, attendees will be able to:
1. Define cryptocurrency, blockchain, wallets, and exchanges in plain language suitable for affidavits, jury testimony, and victim interviews.
2. Identify the dominant crypto-enabled scam typologies — pig butchering, sextortion, Bitcoin-ATM impersonation scams, investment fraud, rug-pulls, and ransomware — and the on-scene tells of each.
3. Read a printed block-explorer record and follow a peel chain, consolidation, and cross-chain hop using printed exhibits.
4. Locate and preserve physical and digital crypto artifacts on a search warrant — seed phrases, hardware wallets, wallet apps, exchange notifications, and ATM receipts — without destroying evidentiary value.
5. Apply the correct Missouri statute to a fact pattern, including RSMo § 570.030 (Stealing), § 570.145 (Financial Exploitation of the Elderly), § 569.095 (Tampering with Computer Data), and § 574.105 (Money Laundering).
6. Describe the Missouri Money Transmission Modernization Act framework and identify when an exchange, kiosk operator, or P2P trader requires licensure.
7. Draft and serve appropriate legal process on a U.S.-licensed crypto exchange — preservation letter, subpoena, § 2703(d) order, search warrant, and seizure warrant — informed by U.S. v. Gratkowski, 964 F.3d 307 (5th Cir. 2020).
8. Seize, store, and forfeit cryptocurrency through state CAFA or federal channels with documented chain of custody.

This course is designed for sworn Missouri law enforcement officers and detectives who have investigative experience but limited exposure to cryptocurrency. Typical attendees include patrol supervisors, financial-crimes detectives, property-crimes detectives, elder-abuse investigators, narcotics and ICAC detectives, task-force officers, and digital-forensics examiners new to blockchain artifacts. No prior knowledge of cryptocurrency, blockchain, or programming is required. Working familiarity with search-warrant practice, subpoena process, and chain-of-custody procedures is assumed.