ANDERSON — Better understanding yields better results.

Representatives of the Indiana FBI hoped to lend some transparency to the agency’s practices Friday during a forum on civil rights at New Hope Life Center, 812 W. 13th St.

More than 50 people, including members of the public, police and others working in criminal justice, were in attendance throughout the seminar, which ran from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event was coordinated with the Madison County Branch NAACP.

“We have members from several police agencies here today,” said Rosetta Minnefield, first vice president of the NAACP. “They are treating this as a training session.”

Thomas Gancarz, assistant special agent in charge of crime in Indiana, said the FBI considers civil rights issues its No. 5 priority; the first three priorities are related to terrorism, while the fourth is fighting public corruption. He said a knowledge of FBI values can foster improved communication between the bureau and the public.

“In order to address the problems and issues, we have to communicate,” Gancarz said. “That’s why we’re here today. We’re trying to put a face on what’s going on out here.”

The FBI has nine field offices, or divisions, in addition to its Indianapolis headquarters. Those offices can be found in Terre Haute, Fort Wayne, New Albany, Bloomington, Muncie, Lafayette, Merrillville, South Bend and Evansville.

Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Bradley Bookwalter, of the Merrillville division, said the FBI in Indiana is the primary investigator of civil rights cases.

He said cases often begin with the victim, but can also arrive in FBI hands through referral, news media reports and even congressional inquiry. Contrary to popular belief, victims of civil rights crimes need not submit a sworn statement.

“One of the biggest, recurring things you’re going to hear today in our conversation is communication,” Bookwalter said. “Having open, honest lines of communication is the only way. If we get nothing else across today, I hope we establish that.”

The bureau may choose to open a preliminary investigation or a full investigation. Preliminary investigations usually last 45 days and need no corroboration, where a full investigation requires evidence, and a quick investigation. Agents can call on state and local partners for additional resources.

Indiana remains one of five states with no hate crime legislation in effect. Bookwalter added that the FBI had started a civil rights cold case investigation, for cases prior to 1969, where new technology or investigation techniques could yield results.

Special Agent Daniel Glavach, the only full-time civil rights investigator at the Indianapolis office, spoke in detail about human trafficking on Friday.

“Human trafficking has received more press lately, and the issues that come with it are very unique,” he said.

He differentiated between human trafficking, which often involves women and girls forced into servitude, and alien smuggling, the transport of illegal immigrants across borders. Glavach said force, fraud and coercion are used in cases of human trafficking, not simply an illegal transport for hire with alien smuggling.