Criminal Organizations and Networks

One way to think about criminal organizations is as social networks. A network is a set of discrete entities connected to one another. By using a network-based approach to analyze the links among criminals, scholars have developed a better appreciation for the relationships that underpin organized crime. Research has begun to capitalize on this progress and suggests specific strategies by which law enforcement can understand, prevent, disrupt, and demolish criminal organizations based on the nature of the underlying networks.

Criminal Organizations as Networks

Criminal organizations operate as businesses with the objective to make money. However, unlike people or firms engaged in legal activities, perpetrators of illegal activities cannot access the many institutions that lower the costs of doing business and allow engagement in normal economic transactions. ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles