Despite the best efforts of many government and non-government entities, the crisis of trafficking in persons (TIP) continues to grow and expand at alarming rates. Current estimates indicate that in excess of 30 million individuals are currently trapped in one form of bondage or exploitation. There is an obvious and overwhelming need for new strategies and methodologies.

Combating Modern-Day Slavery

The University of New Haven Center for Forensic Investigations of Trafficking in Persons helps combat the crime of modern day slavery through increased convictions of the perpetrators, while enhancing support services rendered to TIP victims by working with health care providers, law enforcement, and government officials, domestic and abroad.

Read more about what we do >>
See our Faculty and Student Involvement >>

Our Mission

The University of New Haven Center for Forensic Investigations of Trafficking in Persons helps combat the crime of modern day slavery through increased convictions of the perpetrators, while enhancing support services rendered to TIP victims by working with health care providers, law enforcement, and government officials, domestic and abroad.

Background

Despite the best efforts of many government and non-government entities, the crisis of trafficking in persons continues to grow and expand at alarming rates. Current estimates indicate that in excess of 30 million individuals are currently trapped in one form of bondage or exploitation. There is an obvious and overwhelming need for new strategies and methodologies.

The use of forensic based techniques in the war against human trafficking is novel. Leading up to the creation of our Center, this concept was presented to numerous U.S. Federal and local law enforcement and other agencies involved with trafficking in persons, as well foreign entities, and numerous forensic science and health care professionals. These proposed concepts have been embraced with great enthusiasm and a desire to see them implemented both domestically and abroad.

The Center for Forensic Investigation of Trafficking in Persons will be a unique, first-of-a-kind entity dedicated to the forensic investigation of trafficking in persons.

What We Do

The Center for Forensic Investigation of Trafficking in Persons collaborates with U.S. and international government organizations, non-government organizations, health care providers, law enforcement, forensic science and other academic institutions to conduct rigorous research, provide real time investigative assistance, and assist victim’s of human trafficking. 

In addition to activities directed at practical assistance, training programs will be created and delivered for health care and investigative practitioners as well as students desiring a career dedicated to this cause.  Research, investigative efforts, and training will be delivered to US based organizations and service providers, as well as international entities. Target populations will be identified through research and coordination with activities of government and non-governmental organizations.  

Our Goals and Objectives

1. Conduct scholarly research and develop best practices for professionals who engage TIP cases and victims in the health care, law enforcement, forensic science, and other governmental organizations.

2. Engage graduate and undergraduate students through credited course work at the University of New Haven as well as through various extracurricular activities, primarily associated with the student club, Coalition to Combat Trafficking in Persons (CCTIP).

3. Assist law enforcement, health care, scientific, governmental, and non-government organizations in applying forensic based investigative methods to address TIP cases within their jurisdiction through training and technical assistance.

4. Offer forums for the scholarly and practitioner-based exchange of ideas and experiences in trafficking in persons.