DFS – Division of Investigative and Forensic Services

• DFS – Division of Investigative and Forensic Services (DIFS)

• Formerly known as the Division of Insurance Fraud.
• Administratively contained within the Department of Financial Services.

The Division of Investigative and Forensic Services acts as the criminal justice agency for the Florida Insurance Marketplaces and includes the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations and the Office of Fiscal Integrity, (which has a separate budget).

• The Department has the authority to conduct investigations anywhere they deem necessary, even beyond state lines due to the CFO’s Authority as a *Process Agent.  

When evidence suggest a criminal law has been violated, the matter may be presented to a state or federal enforcement entity.  Thereafter division investigators will provide investigative assistance wherever needed.  

Since *Division Investigators are considered State Law Enforcement Officers, they’re Authorized to bear arms and, depending on the investigation, also have the authority to…

• Execute warrants (including search warrants), 

• Serve subpoenas issued for the examination, investigation, and trial of all offenses,

• Arrest upon probable cause without warrant any person found in the act of violating any of the provisions of applicable laws.  

As with any other Law Enforcement entity, it’s illegal for a person to resist arrest or interfere with a division investigator acting in accordance with the guidelines defined within the Florida Insurance Code.