Rome, 26 October 2026

Phygital-OC has procured advanced technologies to strengthen law enforcement capabilities to investigate organised crime across physical and digital environments. Law enforcement officers from Italy, Spain and Greece are now receiving specialist training in their use, ahead of a prototype and testing phase to prepare for their roll-out in joint investigations.

Criminal groups increasingly use digital platforms to communicate, recruit and coordinate activities across borders. Information relevant to an investigation may be spread across digital devices, websites, communications records and several countries, creating a complex picture for investigators to piece together.

The new tools and specialist capabilities will help investigators examine digital evidence, collect and analyse publicly available online information, and identify patterns in telecommunications records and other electronic traces. They will also support the analysis of large volumes of information from different sources, helping teams identify connections between people, businesses, locations and activities.

By comparing these findings with information available to partner authorities, investigators can develop a clearer picture of criminal networks operating across borders, identify new leads and coordinate further enquiries. Skilled investigators remain central to assessing these connections, verifying findings and deciding what action to take.

“Technology can help investigators connect information and understand criminal activity across borders, but its value depends on the people using it,” said Vincenzo Fusco, Inspector at the Italian State Police and Project Coordinator for Phygital-OC. “By combining these tools with practical training and joint working, we are strengthening our ability to respond to the evolving methods of organised crime.”

The technologies will equip specialised Operational Rooms in Rome, Athens and Murcia, bringing together investigators and analysts to support joint investigations. The forthcoming prototype and testing phase will assess how the tools support practical investigative needs, with practitioner feedback helping refine their use. Alongside training, this work will support compatible working methods and secure, lawful information exchange between participating authorities.

By connecting advanced technologies with trained personnel and stronger international cooperation, Phygital-OC aims to help law enforcement turn fragmented information into a more coordinated response to transnational organised crime.