The mission of the Investigation Section (IS) is to protect Indiana’s natural resources and to enforce Indiana State law; to be an investigative option for uniformed conservation officers and other enforcement agencies as well as the citizens of Indiana; to be a deterrent to the misuse and destruction of Indiana’s natural resources; to serve the citizenry of the state of Indiana through an information and education campaign; to provide a database of intelligence files on crimes and activities; and to gather evidence for the successful prosecution of those individuals who violate the laws of the State of Indiana and would destroy its natural resources.
General Information
The IS was formed in 2000 by combining the Environmental Investigation Section and the Special Investigation Section. IS detectives conduct all complex and long-term investigations of the Division throughout the State of Indiana. These investigations primarily relate to natural resource crimes, major crimes on DNR properties, and other critical incidents under the DNR’s focus. IS detectives frequently assist uniformed conservation officers in their investigations by providing technical and procedural expertise to help solve cases.
The IS works closely with other DNR Divisions, other state and local agencies, as well as federal partners with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, FBI and the Canadian Wildlife Service. IS receives information from a range of sources including federal, state, and local agencies, our uniformed conservation officers, and most importantly, the public.
To contact the IS with a complaint, call their office at (317) 233-3848. You can also call the Turn in a Poacher or Polluter hotline directly at 1-800-TIP-IDNR or email a complaint.
All information offered from an "Information Source" is kept strictly confidential
Illegal wildlife and drugs seized in a poaching investigation.
Arrest warrant service on a tree stand theft investigation.
Paddlefish seized in an illegal commercial fishing investigation.
IS detective taking latent prints in a fatal hunting related investigation.
IS detectives conducting firearms training.
