Office of Special Investigations
Mission: To investigate crimes against elderly and disabled Missourians who are unable to protect their own interests, and to support local law enforcement agencies throughout the state.
The Office of Special Investigations (OSI) was established in 2004 to assist the department with investigations related to financial exploitation of the elderly and disabled (Section 570.145, RSMo), which was Missouri’s first criminal statute specific to the financial victimization of the elderly and disabled.
To support this mission, OSI is comprised of seasoned criminal investigators who specialize in conducting criminal investigations of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.
In addition, OSI can serve as a resource to law enforcement by:
- Assisting with investigations.
- Operating as a lead on investigations.
- Completing criminal investigations independently upon request.
- Providing POST training and education on abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.
OSI is a partner of Adult Protective Services, which is a social services program focused on helping elderly adults and adults with disabilities live with dignity and respect by investigating allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation.
Values: As a professional team, we believe in the dignity of all people and respect individual and constitutional rights. We are dedicated to upholding public trust by serving with integrity, professionalism and individual leadership that embraces open communication in the pursuit of excellence.
Vision: We envision a world where we can all safely grow older, free of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
How OSI can help:
Training: OSI provides training and educational outreach. Training topics include abuse, neglect and financial exploitation involving the elderly and disabled individuals who do not have the ability to protect their own interest. POST training is also available upon request.
Criminal Investigations
Jurisdiction:
OSI has statewide jurisdiction to conduct criminal investigations of an Eligible Adult. An Eligible Adult is defined in 192.2400 RSMo as an individual 60 years or older OR 18-59 with a disability who is unable to protect his or her own interest or adequately perform or obtain services necessary to meet essential human needs.
RSMo 192.2005 defines a disability as mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity where such impairment is verified by medical findings.
Investigative support:
OSI is available to help multidisciplinary teams and local law enforcement agencies with investigating and prosecuting any crime against a vulnerable adult, such as abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. OSI investigators are highly trained and experienced in the arena of criminal investigations, specifically those dealing with the vulnerable adult population.
Field Investigations:
OSI field investigators can help with any level of investigative needs, from a single component to conducting an entire investigation. The OSI investigative unit is staffed by experienced, veteran law enforcement professionals, many of whom retired from local or state agencies.
If needed, investigative and prosecutorial teams can also request OSI’s assistance with expert opinions or reviews on complex cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Additional resources:
Contact Us:
Office of Special Investigations
Department of Health and Senior Services
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: 573-751-9891
Fax: 573-522-4149
OSI@health.mo.gov