Pre-1980 environmental law is reviewed, and the West German Law to Fight Environmental Crime, passed in 1980, is analyzed. Contamination of water resources; waste and its disposal (including nuclear waste); and soil, air, and noise pollution are discussed. Strategies for developing prevention and enforcement procedures are presented, and current law enforcement efforts in this area are delineated. An examination of evidence collection covers sampling instruments and techniques and protecting the integrity of evidence. The need for training in this technical field is noted. Water resources and pollution and waste and its disposal then are considered, as is the need for Federal, State, and local cooperation in fighting environmental crime. Finally, the impact of the law in the 6 years since its passage is assessed. While it is noted that the law has been used primarily against minor offenders, the law is viewed as valuable. The need for improved investigation and enforcement practices and for increased police-public authority cooperation is noted. Photographs and chapter footnotes and references.