EUROPOL: Spain and Germany recognised with Europol’s ‘Criminal Analyst of the Year Award 2025’

The awards were presented at the 6th European Criminal Analysis Conference (EU CrimACon), hosted by Europol in The Hague. The event gathered more than 400 experts from across Europe to exchange knowledge and showcase the latest innovations in criminal intelligence.

The role of the criminal analyst

Behind every successful investigation lies the work of criminal analysts. Their role is to piece together complex information from multiple sources, turning fragmented data into a clear picture of how criminal networks operate.

Analysts identify hidden connections, anticipate criminal trends and provide the intelligence that guides both operational actions and long-term strategies.

Germany recognised for strategic analysis

The ‘IZ3 Think Tank’ of the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt) received the award in the strategic analysis category for their project “IZ3 Think Tank – Crime Dynamics”.

The team created a data-driven analytical framework linking crime developments to wider societal changes, with a particular focus on violent crime.

Key findings were included in the presentation of Germany’s Police Crime Statistics for the years 2023 and 2024.

Spain awarded for operational analysis

The Spanish Guardia Civil was recognised in the operational analysis category for its contribution to Operation ALMUASASA, which led to the dismantling of terrorist online infrastructures spread across multiple countries.

Through a combination of advanced open-source intelligence and network analysis, the Guardia Civil’s Virtual Investigation Analysis Team mapped the entire network of the terrorist organisation under investigation.

The analysis provided clear operational leads, which enabled an international coalition of law enforcement and judicial partners to take decisive action.

Europol’s commitment to intelligence-led policing

Europol supports the work of criminal analysts across Europe, fostering innovation and best practice through initiatives such as EU CrimACon and the ‘Criminal Analyst of the Year Award’. These efforts highlight the critical role of analysts in ensuring intelligence-led policing and effective cooperation against serious organised crime and terrorism.

Europol also regularly publishes vacancies for analysts, offering opportunities for experts to contribute directly to Europe’s fight against serious and organised crime.