Inside Criminal Networks

All criminals operate in a social network. This book of case studies analyzes a variety of illegal enterprises from a social network perspective, touching on such issues as partnerships, pecking orders and organizational flexibility.

What do an illegal drug importer, a stolen car exporter, a Hells Angels member, an accountant, and an airplane hijacker have in common? Like most people, they all operate in social networks and at times, they come together in criminal networks which, though tightly structured and controlled, undergo constant change. Inside Criminal Networks takes a social network perspective to a variety of illegal enterprises, focusing on these organizations' "flexible order" and the collective coping and adjustment strategies of offenders when key members or opportunities are lost.

Rich with communication data, electronic surveillance material, and other law-enforcement investigative sources, case studies pursue a number of analytical paths into the partnerships, pecking orders, and situations in flux (e.g., street gang presence within drug distribution), and identify central challenges to research (e.g., are these failed networks if members are arrested?). Flexibility is revealed as a driving force as the book examines: Operational structures and dynamics - Roles of key and peripheral players - The tentative balance between efficiency and security - Criminal network positions and individual traits - Uses of legitimate actors in illegal settings - Adaptation when networks are disrupted.

Compellingly written and meticulously presented, Inside Criminal Networks offers rare up-close insights to readers in the criminology and organized crime research fields, and to social network theorists and analysts.

First extensive study of criminal networks The case study designs and analytical paths are straightforward and can serve as a source for future research endeavours using a variety of data sources

Autorentext

Author: Carlo Morselli (Assistant Professor at the School of Criminology, Université de Montréal)

Inhalt
The Criminal Network Perspective.- Case Study Sources and Designs.- Partnership Configurations in Illegal Drug-Importation.- The Efficiency#x2013;Security Trade-Off.- Legitimate Strengths in Criminal Networks.- Law-Enforcement Disruption of a Drug-Importation Network.- Brokerage Qualifications in Ringing Scripts.- Hells Angels in Springtime.- Street Gang Presence in Drug-Distribution Operations.- Summary and Extensions.