The aim of this Bachelor’s thesis is to clarify how investigation of the environmental crimes has been organized in the Netherlands and what kind of internal operating models and operational models of co-operation is applicable to the operational work at the Finnish police.

The theoretical part of the thesis contains information about sustainable development and biodiversity generally both in Finland and in the Netherlands, international environmental crime as well as environmental crime and environmental legislation in Finland and in the Netherlands. The research was conducted by a two-day study trip to the Dutch police in October 2015, as well as with an interview survey directed to representatives of various authorities in Finland.

From the study results it can be concluded that with the process models used by the Dutch police relevant effects in the environmental crime investigation can be accomplished. It is influenced by various authorities carrying out the control measures, a thorough work analysing, systematic and flexible leadership, innovative investigative measures, an efficient allocation of resources, harmonization and standardization in the international co-operation.

From this study it emerged that with co-operation between authorities it is possible to provide effective and highquality pre-trial investigation in the environmental crime investigation in Finland. Simple and efficient opera-tional models enable to see further in the situation where resources of authorities are narrowing in relation to statutory obligations as well as changes in the operating environment in Finland and internationally.