Major Criminal Operations

• One of NCIS' most important roles is its participation in major criminal investigations. This includes actual, alleged or suspected acts of terrorism, as well as any case involving U.S. citizens or U.S. government property. The organization is also tasked with investigating any conspiracy to commit criminal acts or acts of terrorism.
  
  

Investigation of Naval Deaths

• The organization's other primary goal is to investigate the non-natural deaths of naval personnel on or off naval installations, facilities, aircraft or vessel personnel. The agency also investigates the loss or theft of ordnance and ammunition and fires of unknown origin that affect the Department of the Navy property, or property under its control. NCIS is also responsible for looking for missing personnel.
  
  

Counter-Intelligence

• NCIS conducts counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence activities focused on detecting, identifying and neutralizing terrorist activities. This means it has exclusive investigative jurisdiction into any actual, potential or suspected terrorism, sabotage, espionage and assassination. NCIS is also responsible for investigating any actual or suspected defection by Naval personnel. It has exclusive jurisdiction to carry out Strategic Offensive Counterintelligence Operations, or OFCO, which are designed to counter foreign intelligence and terrorist activities.
  
  

Threat Warning and Analysis

• NCIS is responsible for maintaining the Department of the Navy's Multiple Threat Alert Center, or MTAC. MTAC allows NCIS to assess and report on possible terrorist activity, cyber and criminal threats to the Department of the Navy, and the activities of foreign intelligence agencies. NCIS provides reports on these threats to the Department of the Navy. MTAC also provides operational support to NCIS field agents' investigations and operations as required.
  
  

Duties and Responsibilities of MTAC

• MTAC's primary role is maintaining an around-the-clock watch on national, service and other law enforcement agencies in order to identify threats to the Department of the Navy. It issues assessments, advisories, summaries and threat reports to notify commanders of potential threats in their region, as well as supporting the Department of the Navy's Threat and Local Observation notice and providing operational support to NCIS field agents.