The IP-address contains direct or indirect information regarding the own organization. But often online-investigators of the police have to mask themselves in order to get important information.

• On suspicous web sites investigators are recognizable as such
  Some forums- and chat-systems show directly the IP-address of every user. The owner of a particular web site notices the IP-address of the user as well. An IP-address belonging to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) is not really trust-enhancing then.
• Operations cannot be kept secret
  Investigators may use proxy- or VPN-services to anonymize themselves. As far as these are controlled by a single organization, the investigators must nevertheless reckon on the organized crime observing their steps. Criminals may operate the services themselves or bribe employees in order to be able to follow the actions of the investigators.
• Investigators are suspicious if they are surfing noticeable insecure
  If investigators surf on sites where users normally anonymize themselves they attract special attention being unmasked.
• Whistle-blower reveal themselves or are betrayed
  If not-anonymized messages to and from whistle-blowers are sent over the Internet and are intercepted, or if a mole in an agency is forwarding the IP-address of a particular whistle-blower, then he is unmasked.