Cybercrime is a growing threat to national security (United States Department of Justice, 2014). Yet, cybercrime differs from other types of crime. In investigating exploitation, cyber stalking and obscenities, law enforcement face an array of challenges. Determine the jurisdiction is one of the greatest challenges law enforcement professionals face. Although the victim may be within the police department’s jurisdiction, the individual committing the cyber crime may be across the country. The frequency of cyber crimes is another issue that plagues law enforcement professionals. Although police departments would like to investigate all crimes, in some cases, it may not be economically feasible for the police department to investigate all crimes (Police Executive Research Forum, 2014). The issues law enforcement professionals face when investigating cybercrimes will be explored in order to determine how these issues affect law enforcement, cyber security and victimization.

When a cybercrime occurs, it is increasingly difficult for police departments to determine who has jurisdiction over the crime (Police Executive Research Forum, 2014). However, many cybercriminals are aware of this problem. Finkela (2013) further concurs in noting, “criminals routinely take advantage of geographical borders” as a way of decreasing the likelihood they will be prosecuted for cybercrimes (p. 2). In crimes involving widespread exploitation, police departments may choose to work together or transfer the case to a federal entity. However, the extent of victimization or perceived victimizations directly affects whether or not law enforcement will investigate the crime. Although police officers are meant to ensure the safety of society, it is not always feasible to investigate minor crimes (Finkela, 2013). For example, individuals using obscenities towards an individual online may not constitute a threat to the individual, his or her safety or the safety of society.

Another issue in investigating cyber stalking, exploitation and obscenities is the ability to prosecute these crimes. Even if law enforcement professionals are able to determine jurisdictional issues, it is difficult to determine who exactly committed the crime. For example, if others had access to the computer which the cyber crime traced back to, it could be argued that there is no way to effectively determine who committed the crime (Police Executive Research Forum, 2014). Although law enforcement professionals may produce evidence suggesting an individual is in fact the person making the threats, obscenities, or engaging in stalking behavior, in some cases, it can be difficult to make this determination. However, in cases involving exploitation, the level of victimization may help law enforcement professionals to determine who committed the crime. For example, if the victim actually paid off the individual exploiting them, law enforcement professionals may be able to use this information in order to track down the account that received the payment. However, physically apprehending the alleged cybercrime is another problematic issues, as cyber criminals engaging in these behaviors may be across the world. Whether or not the United States government has the ability to formally bring the cyber criminal to justice and extradite the cyber criminal to the United States is heavily contingent on the country in which the crime occurred.

The issues associated with cyber stalking, the use of obscenities and exploitation has been well established by federal entities. According tot eh Untied States Department of Justice (2014) “the range of threats and the challenges cyber crimes present for law enforcement professionals expand just as rapidly as technology evolves” (para. 1). In a 2013 congressional report, Finkela urges the federal government to develop new laws focused on law enforcement and cyber crimes. Furthermore, Finkela urges the federal government to address jurisdictional issues, as a way of making it easier for police departments across the country to work together in the apprehension of cybercriminals. As cybercrime increases, it is increasingly important to address the need for law enforcement professionals in different states to work together to stop cybercriminals.