Investigations Division
The Investigations Division conducts proactive investigations and utilizes advanced resources and technologies to investigate cybercrimes, economic crimes, complex and pattern crimes, public and law enforcement integrity matters, hate crimes, cases involving Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), and post-conviction review. The Division’s investigative efforts are further supported by the Crime Strategies Center.
The Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) Bureau brings together prosecutors and criminal investigators who work within an integrated forensic laboratory to investigate and prosecute cases involving computers, online content, cellular telephones, and other technological devices used to facilitate evidence of criminal conduct. The Bureau focuses on child sexual abuse material investigations referred by local police agencies, as well as a multitude of crimes that take place online – including sexual extortion, extremism, threats of mass violence, and scams. The Bureau also assists in other cases throughout the office in which there is significant evidence on computers or in the cloud. Further, the Bureau prioritizes internet safety, particularly for minors, with Assistant District Attorneys regularly speaking to students, parent organizations, and community groups to educate them about online risks and promote safe internet practices.
The Complex & Pattern Crimes Bureau utilizes early prosecutorial involvement and specialized investigative tools to develop cases involving sophisticated and organized criminal activity. The Bureau targets individuals and criminal networks engaged in narcotics trafficking, identity theft, auto crimes, organized burglaries, fencing operations, and other complex criminal enterprises through long-term, intelligence-driven investigations that utilize a range of warrants and court-authorized procedures.
Working closely with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office Crime Analysts and Criminal Investigators Squad, as well as law enforcement investigators and multi-agency task forces, the Bureau collaborates with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to identify criminal patterns, build strong cases, and hold offenders accountable.
The Conviction Review Unit examines credible, investigable claims of actual innocence or wrongful conviction and presents its findings and recommendations to the District Attorney. The Bureau conducts a thorough case review, and when this evidence-based review leads the District Attorney to lose confidence in the integrity of the conviction, the District Attorney pursues appropriate remedies.
As a general matter, for a case to be considered for review, there should be one or more areas of investigation that have the potential to substantiate the applicant’s claim of actual innocence or wrongful conviction. Claims are investigated based on factual merit, without regard to procedural barriers to legal review.
The Unit can only consider requests for review of convictions that were prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.
How do I apply for a review?
A request may be made through:
- A letter from an attorney representing a convicted person in the case being challenged.
- A completed CRU Review Request Form and Consent Form from the convicted person.
If a request is made by letter and does not include a completed CRU Review Request Form and a signed Consent Form, these forms will be mailed to the convicted person for his/her review and signature.
Please note: If a convicted person is represented by counsel, a request for review must be made by his/her attorney.
The CRU endeavors to be accessible to individuals with actual innocence or wrongful conviction claims. Family members or advocates may assist an applicant with disabilities or with mental health, literacy, or language issues by helping him/her fill out the Request for Review and Consent forms. However, a Request for Review form and a signed Consent Form by the convicted person must be submitted before the case is considered for review.
Requests should be sent by e-mail to
Conviction Review Unit
Westchester County District Attorney's Office
111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
White Plains, NY 10601
Requests for review must be made by letter or e-mail. Requests for review cannot be made over the phone.
Requests must include a mailing address for the CRU to contact the convicted person or his/her attorney. The CRU will contact the convicted person or attorney if more information is required.
The Crime Strategies Center (CSC) works in collaboration with local, county, state, and federal law enforcement partners to proactively combat crime, establish investigative priorities, implement precision policing strategies, strengthen investigations, and provide trial support.
CSC analysts conduct comprehensive data analysis and gather actionable intelligence to help develop targeted enforcement strategies and support the investigative efforts of law enforcement partners. Their work encompasses a broad range of information, including the activities and associates of violent offenders, partners and locations of criminal activity, and narcotics overdose data. CSC analysts are also embedded with the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Gun Violence Strategy Partnership, which brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to address gun violence.
The Cyber Crimes Bureau works in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the promotion and possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) through internet platforms, including social media, messaging and gaming applications. These cases include the promotion and possession of CSAM, online undercover operations, unauthorized computer use, and computer tampering.
The Economic Crimes Bureau investigates embezzlement, investment scams, forgeries, insurance fraud, tax crimes, wage theft and labor fraud, elder financial fraud, and other schemes designed to steal money from unsuspecting victims. The Bureau works with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies as well as other state and federal agencies to investigate and combat many types of financial fraud. The Bureau’s focus is on long-term, complex investigations that require the assistance of the Office’s Forensic Accountant.
The Hate Crimes Bureau investigates and prosecutes hate or bias crimes – offenses committed, in whole or in substantial part, because of a perpetrator’s belief or perception regarding a person’s race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability, or sexual orientation
Bias incidents such as hateful language or messages may be lawful in accordance with the First Amendment right to freedom of speech, but they also cause fear and intimidation among members of the targeted groups.
The Bureau works to combat hate crimes and bias incidents in Westchester by:
- Providing guidance and investigative support to local police departments on hate crime and bias incident investigations and trends.
- Training law enforcement officers on applicable hate crime laws and best practices for responding to hate-related offenses.
- Collaborating with community leaders and local organizations to address hate and bias issues within communities.
If you believe you have been the victim of or witnessed a hate crime, contact your local police department. If you have questions, need additional information, or wish to report a hate crime or bias incident to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, call our multilingual tips line at (914) 995-TIPS (8477) and press 2 for hate and bias crimes.
The Public & Law Enforcement Integrity Bureau investigates and prosecutes allegations of criminal conduct committed by a public servant, a member of law enforcement, a licensed professional, or a person entrusted with performing a public service or function. Often the Bureau’s work combats crime that corrupts government and public institutions, such as elected offices, the court system, school districts, public service providers, law enforcement agencies, and correctional facilities.
Allegations of public corruption can be reported to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office by calling our multilingual tips line at (914) 995-TIPS (8477) and pressing 5 for public corruption.