War Crimes and Special Investigations Enforcement Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What kind of offences do you investigate?

A: We investigate a variety of serious violent criminal offences against persons, including torture, war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Q: What is your jurisdiction?

A: According to the Criminal Code of Canada and Canada’s signatory status to the United Nations Convention on torture, we investigate allegations of gross human rights abuses in any place where the suspect is in Canada and/or the suspect or victim is a Canadian citizen.

Q: Where are some of the places you investigate?

A: Our World War Two investigation involve the gathering of evidence in Germany as well as several east European countries which were occupied by the Nazis during World War Two. Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Afghanistan and Rwanda are among the countries for which we currently receive allegations of atrocities.

Q: What kind of evidence do you gather?

A: We locate and interview victims and other witnesses not only in Canada but anywhere in the world they may be found. We also gather documentation including photographic evidence and, where possible, examine the crime scene for evidence.

Q: Do you ever recover the bodies of victims?

A: Yes, we have senior investigators who have participated with experts on excavating mass graves and other sites.

Q: Do you work with other agencies or organizations?

A: Yes. In addition to the Canadian law enforcement community, our partners include both Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Department of Justice Canada. We also work closely with the United Nations international criminal tribunals, foreign governments, a variety of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as community representatives.

Q: What kind of people work on war crimes in the RCMP?

A: Our personnel have a diverse range of experience, but all are senior members of the RCMP having a background in criminal investigations as well as a variety of languages and education.

Q: How can I get further information?

A: Please write to the following address:

Officer in charge
RCMP War Crimes Section
110 Place d'Orléans
Room 2200
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0R2