Effectively addressing human trafficking can pose a significant challenge to communities without established practices for identifying and protecting human trafficking victims and investigating and prosecuting cases against traffickers.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs launched the Diagnostic Center in 2012. The center is a technical assistance resource for law enforcement executives and policy makers who want to use data-driven strategies to combat crime and improve public safety. The purpose of the Diagnostic Center is to build local capacity to incorporate data and research into public safety and criminal justice practices and policies to ensure resources are invested wisely, assets are used where they are needed most, and communities reap improved public safety outcomes.