Forensic Protocol for the Investigation and Prosecution of Illegal Mining in Colombia: A Forensic and Environmental Approach

Abstract

Illegal mining in Colombia has become one of the main sources of financing for organized crime, generating significant environmental damage and posing major challenges for judicial prosecution. Although this activity is criminalized, its effective prosecution is often weakened by deficiencies in evidence collection, documentation, and forensic analysis.

Institutional approaches have traditionally prioritized territorial control over evidentiary construction, revealing the absence of standardized forensic protocols for this type of context. In response, this study proposes a comprehensive forensic protocol aimed at strengthening interventions in illegal mining scenarios from a forensic and environmental perspective.

The protocol is structured into seven phases, ranging from scene arrival to the preparation of the forensic report, incorporating techniques such as scene documentation, georeferencing, environmental sampling, and chain of custody management.

The findings indicate that the implementation of standardized procedures improves the quality of evidence, strengthens prosecution processes, and contributes to the effective protection of the environment.