CBSS launches investigation protocol to help law enforcement tackle human trafficking

The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) has published a new guidance on investigating human trafficking cases, Investigating Trafficking in Human Beings: An Investigation Protocol for Law Enforcement in the Baltic Sea Region.

The Investigation Protocol is designed to support law enforcement authorities in strengthening criminal investigations into trafficking in human beings (THB) across the Baltic Sea Region and Ukraine.

"We are good at identifying victims of human trafficking, but investigations often stop there," says Edi Mujaj, head of the unit dealing with trafficking in human beings at the CBSS.

"Prosecutions and convictions remain low not because human trafficking is rare, but because turning identification into solid cases for court is still a challenge," he adds.

The Investigation Protocol provides guidance on what investigators should consider, prioritise and do once a potential human trafficking situation has been identified. Its aim is to improve investigative quality, strengthen cases for prosecution and support the disruption of trafficking networks.

The publication is intended both as an introduction and as a hands-on tool for police cadets, investigators with varying levels of experience, prosecutors, strategic leads and police trainers. It is designed for use in daily investigative work as well as in education, training and broader capacity-building contexts at national and regional level.

The Protocol was developed by the CBSS Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings (TF-THB) and funded by the Government Offices of Sweden. Its development drew on substantial input from investigators at law enforcement agencies from across the Baltic Sea Region and European agencies, in particular Europol.

Access to the publication is restricted to law enforcement authorities, police academies and relevant international cooperation bodies. It is not available for general public distribution and can be accessed via a request form.

The Investigation Protocol is also disseminated by Europol to participating states and operational partners via the Secure Information Exchange Network Application (SIENA).

The Protocol was first introduced at the THBxOC 2025 Forum in Stockholm in December 2025, which focused on the links between human trafficking and other forms of organised crime. It was subsequently officially presented and shared at a lecture at the Södertörn Police Academy in Stockholm on 2 February 2026. The lecture was attended by 160 police cadets who were introduced to the organised crime components of human trafficking in the Baltic Sea Region.

• More information about the Investigation Protocol and download request: https://cbss.org/publications/investigation-protocol/