Cruise ships commonly maintain onboard surveillance camera systems and electronic key-card access logs that can be used as evidence in investigations of onboard deaths or other incidents.
November 24, 2025
high
procedural
Surveillance footage and electronic key-card records are routinely available on many modern cruise vessels and are used in incident inquiries.
Criminal investigations of deaths aboard cruise ships commonly include recovery and review of the vessel's onboard surveillance video by law enforcement agencies such as the FBI.
November 19, 2025
high
procedural
Law enforcement practice in maritime death investigations involving cruise vessels.
Federal law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) commonly coordinate operations with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for enforcement activities.
high
operational
Interagency collaboration for joint enforcement operations.
Law enforcement investigations of deaths aboard cruise ships commonly include reviewing ship surveillance video, analyzing electronic cabin access logs (swipe card data), examining victims' cellphone records, and interviewing passengers, crewmembers, and family members.
high
procedural
Typical investigative methods used in maritime or cruise-ship death investigations.
Commercial cruise ships commonly operate onboard surveillance camera systems and maintain electronic room key-swipe logs that law enforcement investigators can obtain and review during criminal investigations.
high
investigative
Types of onboard records and footage used as evidence in maritime and onboard investigations.
Law enforcement investigations into deaths on cruise ships commonly include reviewing onboard surveillance video, analyzing electronic cabin key swipe-card data, examining victims' cellphone records, and conducting interviews with passengers, crewmembers, and family members.
high
procedural
Describes routine investigative techniques used by law enforcement in onboard death inquiries.