About joint investigation teams in a nutshell

Abstract

Joint investigation teams are fundamental instruments of cooperation in the field of EU freedom, security and justice. The core legal basis of the EU has not been implemented in all member states yet. Nonetheless, joint investigation teams have demonstrated their usefulness in investigating the most serious forms of criminality such as terrorism and drug trafficking. Implementation difficulties include admissibility of evidence in court, high costs of running joint investigation teams and drafting comprehensive agreements on setting up joint investigation teams. This instrument could be used more effectively, in particular through a stronger involvement of both Europol and Eurojust. Joint investigation teams can be considered as a valuable tool in the development of a criminal justice area in the EU.