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81 FBI L. Enforcement Bull. 8 (2012)
Characteristics and Implications of Diversion Safes

handle is hein.journals/fbileb81 and id is 118 raw text is: D uring investigations and other daily op- erations, law enforcement personnel fre- quently conduct extensive searches of individuals' residences, offices, and other personal spaces when authorized by law. As a result, criminals strive to conceal illegal items in case of such a search, and they may hide this material inside containers known as diversion safe s. Manufacturers advertise diversion safes for their legal purpose-as a wiay to protect one's valuables. However, diversion safes disguised as common household items also can provide crimi- nals a convenient hiding place for incriminating items, such as narcotics, weapons, and cash. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) first reported on diversion safes in 1997, and the product lines have expanded even further since that time. Law enforcement personnel must remain aware of the variety of safes available and the vwide ar- ray of Internet and retail stores that sell them. This knowledge can help investigators identify the containers and, thus, discover illegal material that otherwise might have passed undetected through a routine search. Law enforcement personnel must become educated about the popularity of this di- version technique, the types and characteristics of available products, and the possible impact on of- ficers' efforts. 8/FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin