Organized Crime Investigation

Module Title: Lesson 1: Introduction to Organized Crime

Course Title: Organized Crime Investigation

Overview

Education should be a fundamental area of work of any effective crime prevention strategy. Organized
crime, in particular, is a truly global phenomenon that affects the everyday life of all of us. It is more concealed
then other crimes, as organized criminal groups make targeted efforts at keeping their crimes and organization
under the radar of law enforcement authorities. It is also harder to eradicate, as it often insinuates the culture
and even the way of living of populations around the world. As such, it can be effectively tackled only if
people have the necessary knowledge to understand it and are empowered to stand up against it. The modules
seek to enhance students' understanding of organized crime, its implications as well as of the tools at our
disposal in the fight against it. To increase their effectiveness, the modules connect theory to practice,
encourage critical thinking, and use innovative interactive teaching approaches such as experiential learning
and group-based work. The modules are multi-disciplinary and can be integrated in a series of courses ranging
from law to international relations, sociology, anthropology, economics, criminology and many other
disciplines.

LESSON Introduction to Organized Crime

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Learning Outcomes
At the end of the of this module, the students should be able to:
1. Define and understand the concept of organized crimes.
2. Familiarize the characteristics, structure and generic types of organized crime groups.
3. Understand the theories of crime and the origin of syndicated Crimes and its procedures.

Indicative Content

 Definition of Organized Crime Group  Characteristics of an Organized Crime

 Positions Needed for an Organized Crime Group
Group to Work  Structures of Organized Crime
 Generic Type of Organized Crimes
=============================================================================

Discussion

Organized criminal groups are very common in the modern age. The very purpose of their existence
is financial or any material gain from its operations. They are characterized as a systematized criminal
organization sprouted from humble origins to humongous networks that operates both local and international.
Experts explain their existence and development theoretically as a result of biological, behavioral and
environmental circumstances. Thus, the imbalance in the society enable them to perpetuate through time and
establish a network of illegal transactions.

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Defining organized crime

The most obvious distinction between organized crime and other forms of criminal conduct is that it
is "organized." In general terms, it does not include random, unplanned, individual criminal acts. Instead, it
focuses exclusively on planned, rational acts that reflect the effort of groups of individuals. Several efforts
have been made to elicit common elements to describe and define organized crime with greater specificity.

A list of all the crimes committed by organized criminal groups would be outdated quickly as social,
political and technological changes result in changing opportunities for crime in different locations. Therefore,
the unit of analysis in most definitions is not the offence but the offender: an organized criminal group. A
better understanding of the nature of these groups will help in developing more effective responses to them.

For the purposes of these Module, a general definition of organized crime could read as follows:

“Organized crime is a continuing criminal enterprise that rationally works to profit from illicit
activities that are often in great public demand. Its continuing existence is maintained through
corruption of public officials and the use of intimidation, threats or force to protect its operations”.
A general definition has limitations, however, because organized crime activity varies across countries,
regions, crime-types, and nature of its organization. Therefore, it is important to know the general elements
of organized crime, but greater knowledge is needed to understand how it manifests in different locations and
criminal contexts.

Function in an Organized Crime Group

Organized crime group works in systematized hierarchy that the flow of communication is from the top
brass of the organization to the lowest among them. For them to work, usually, it has at least the following:

1. An Enforcer -the one who makes for the arrangements for the killing (injuring or carrying out the task
physically, economically or psychologically) the members or non-members.

2. A Corrupter - the one who corrupts or bribes, intimidate or threatens, negotiate or “sweet talks” into
a relationship with public officials, law enforcement officer, or anyone who would be of help in
obtaining security and immunity from possible arrest, prosecution and punishments.

3. A Corruptee - are public officials, law enforcement officers or anybody who are not members of the
organization who can help the organized group.

Characteristics of an Organized Crime (OC) Group

Just like a common group, an organized crime group has its own characteristics. It is however, more
descriptive compared to the said usual groups as it has the elements mentioned earlier (↑ Organized Crime).
They are as follows:

1) It has no political goals- organized crime groups might have their own goals but these goals are not
centred on politics although such goals may involve politicians and political influence; or such
involvement of influence is for immunity from legal prosecution and protection from both rivals and
the law; it must be noted further that terrorists are different from organized crime groups as their goals
are different; organized crime groups centre on money and prominence (power) by means of acts that
are classified as crimes.

2) It has a Hierarchy- organized crime groups have a vertical line of power or structure with at least 3
permanent ranks; such ranks may be referred to as honorary, lifetime, or other similar terms.
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3) They have Limited or Exclusive Membership- qualifications on the said groups might be based on
ethnicity, criminal records, kinship, willingness to perform tasks referred as tests or initiation, in some
cases it also involves apprenticeships.

4) Constitutes to a Unique Subculture- such subculture is referred to as the underworld, a physically

existing practice that promote its own culture, tradition, and law referred to as rules.

5) Perpetuates Itself- organized crime groups are designed to exist through time, they are built as a
mechanism to stay in power and it is formed for gain; therefore, the existing rules provide an avenue
for the preservation of the group.

6) Willingness to use Illegal Violence and Bribery- violence is considered as a form of resource; with
violence, an organized crime group could gain what they want; one could say that violence is like
currency, you can spend it to buy what the group needs; bribery on the other hand is a form of activity
for the attainment of an organized crime group, one could say that it is one of the functions of money.

7) Specialization or Division of Labour- as mentioned earlier, an organized crime group has ranks and
with each rank comes a responsibility, therefore the work/labour is divided; descriptive examples are
A. Enforcers (physically collecting the money or those that perform physical tasks that require force,
threat, and intimidation), B. Fixer/Money Mover (these group members are usually the ones that are
in charge of financial allotment, activities for the growth of financial resources, and other alike).

8) Monopolistic- organized crime in majority aim for monopoly, the existence of a rival in the same trade
of criminal activities hamper the group from any form of gain; although there are groups in history
that maintain a line of cooperation with the use of treaties; monopoly is the elimination of possible
competition

9) Governed by Rules and Regulations- organized crime groups have rules that maintain order, they are
religiously followed although rivalry for ranks often take place; members are expected to follow them
as there are sanctions given once disobedience is proven.

Structures of Organized Crime

There are two structures or models of Organized Crime, namely the Bureaucratic/Corporate Model and
Patrimonial/Patron-Client network.

A. Bureaucratic/Corporate Structure

• it has a strict observance of a vertical hierarchy (top to bottom)

• the division of labour is extensive
• the positions are based on skills
• the movements of people such as communications are written or memo form
• orders from the higher offices are communicated by means of a document
• the structure is comparable to that of the military and police

B. Patrimonial/Patron-Client Network

• it involves emotional bonds among men

• tradition is given emphasis compared to business
• it is centred on families, patrons, and their clients
• it involves traditional rituals and a unique culture that overpowers written documents
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• relationship is the key element between members
• communication is weak is this system, often treated as a weakness
• most traditional groups in the mafia use this structure

Generic Type of Organized Crimes

In a broader perspective, organized crime groups can be classified to the following:

1. Political Graft - committed by political criminals for purposes of gaining profit though violence or
force for the attainment of political goals or ambitions such as used of private armies, buying of
votes or threatening voters.

2. In-Group Oriented Organized Crime - manned by semi-organized individual with the end view of
attaining psychological gratification such as adolescent gangs.

3. Mercenary/Predatory organized crime -perpetuated for the attainment of direct personal gain but
prey upon unwilling victims.

4. Syndicated Crimes - comes with a structure organization that participates in illicit activity in
society using force, or intimidation.

Exercises

Activity #1. In a minimum of Five (5) sentences, provide your answer on the following questions:

1. As a Criminology student, what is the importance of studying organized crimes?

2. What is the impact or organized crime groups in the community?

3. What is the effect of organized crime in the country’s peace and order?

Activity #2. Reflection

1. What can you say about today’s activity?

Evaluation
Read the questions and ENCIRCLE the letter of your choice.
1. What refers to the levels of authority of organized crime.
a. Rank
b. Designation
c. Hierarchy
d. Both A & B
2. The following are the characteristics of a Bureaucratic structure of organized crime, except:
a. Division of labor extensive
b. Positions are based on skills
c. Documented communication is used
d. The key element between members is relationship
3. What characteristic of organized crime that means to eliminate possible rival competitors?
a. Willingness to use illegal violence and bribery
b. Political protection
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c. Monopolistic
d. B & C are correct
4. The following describes the intention or purpose of organized crime group, except: _______.
a. Political goals
b. Material benefit
c. Power
d. None of these
5. Which of the following characteristics does not describe the patron Client Network structure of
Organized crime?
a. Documented communication
b. Tradition is emphasized
c. Emotional bonds among men
d. None of these
6. As the mayor of the Municipality of Tuhog, Benito has a very crucial decision on permitting quarry
companies because of environmental risk in their locality. However, due to the intimidation on his life
of one of the companies named Smith Quarry Corporation, he has left no other choice but to approve
their permit application. In this scenario, Benito can be considered as:
a. corrupter
b. corruptee
c. enforcer
d. corrupt
7. Which of the following is not true about organize crime?
a. It is composed of at least three (3) member
b. Commits one of more serious crimes
c. Motivation revolves around politics
d. Financial gain is their main concern
8. What generic type of organized crimes does teenage gangs belong?
a. Syndicated crimes
b. Predatory organized crimes
c. In group oriented organized crimes
d. Political graft
9. Which of the following qualifications of an organized crime group does not show their exclusive
membership?
a. Ethnicity
b. Political party
c. Kinship
d. Criminal records
10. Organized crime groups have a vertical line of power or structure that means:
a. Ranks arranged from top to bottom
b. Ranks arranged from achievements
c. Ranks arranged from side to side
d. Ranks arranged according to tenure

References

 Abadinsky, H. (2006). Organized Crime: Eight Edition St. John’s University, Jamaica, NY, USA.
 Garcia, M. (2011). Organized Crime Investigation (A Lecture Series for Criminal Justice and
Criminology Students). Wiseman Book Store.
 UNODC The Doha Declaration: Promoting a Culture of Lawfulness (2018). University Module Series:
Organized Crime. Retrieved June 14, 2020 from https://www.unodc.org/e4j/en/organized-
crime/module-1/index.html

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Module Title: Lesson 2: Theoretical Background Behind Organized Crime

Course Title: Organized Crime Investigation

Overview

A theory is a well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world that can incorporate laws,
hypotheses and facts. The theory of gravitation, for instance, explains why apples fall from trees and astronauts
float in space. Similarly, the theory of evolution explains why so many plants and animals--some very similar
and some very different--exist on Earth now and in the past, as revealed by the fossil record.

In the study of organized crimes, the causes of criminal behavior were explained by various theories.
This may include theories on deficiency in moral standards in the community, environmental conditions,
unequal treatment, creation of groups opposing to the prescribed norms and other situations causing anti-social
behavior. Knowing the etiology of their anti-social behavior is of paramount importance to determine the
strategies to address this ongoing global problem.

LESSON Theoretical Background Behind Organized Crime

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Learning Outcomes
At the end of the of this module, the students should be able to:
1. Know and understand the theories explaining criminal behavior.
2. Determine the etiology of organized crime group’s anti-social acts.
3. Identify the approaches in dealing with criminal behavior.

Indicative Content
 Social Learning Theory  Cultural deviance
 Enterprise Theory  Alien Conspiracy/Queer Ladder of
 Differential Association Mobility
 Social Disorganization Theory
============================================================================

Discussion

Explanations for organized crime include theories that focus on ethnic group solidarity and culture,
attempts by marginalized social groups to improve their social and economic standing, and traditional theories
used to explain crime in general. Six theories are most commonly used to attempt to explain organized crime:
alien conspiracy theory, rational choice theory, differential association, social disorganization and relative
deprivation approach, the queer ladder of mobility theory, and enterprise theory.

Social Learning Theory

The social learning theory of Bandura emphasizes the importance of observing and modeling the
behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others. Bandura (1977) states: “Learning would be
exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions
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to inform them what to do. Fortunately, most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling:
from observing others one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed, and on later occasions this
coded information serves as a guide for action.”. Social learning theory explains human behavior in terms of
continuous reciprocal interaction between cognitive, behavioral, an environmental influence. The component
processes underlying observational learning are:

1. Attention, including modeled events (distinctiveness, affective valence, complexity, prevalence,

functional value) and observer characteristics (sensory capacities, arousal level, perceptual set, past
reinforcement);

2. Retention, including symbolic coding, cognitive organization, symbolic rehearsal, motor rehearsal);

3. Motor Reproduction, including physical capabilities, self-observation of reproduction, accuracy of

feedback; and

4. Motivation, including external, vicarious and self-reinforcement.

Organized criminals learn through associations with one another. The success of organized crime
groups is therefore dependent upon the strength of their communication and the enforcement of their value
systems, the recruitment and training processes employed to sustain, build or fill gaps in criminal operations.
An understanding of this theory sees close associations between criminals, imitation of superiors, and
understanding of value systems, processes and authority as the main drivers behind organized crime.
Interpersonal relationships define the motivations the individual develops, with the effect of family or peer
criminal activity being a strong predictor of inter-generational offending. This theory also developed to include
the strengths and weaknesses of reinforcement, which in the context of continuing criminal enterprises may
be used to help understand propensities for certain crimes or victims, level of integration into the mainstream
culture and likelihood of recidivism / success in rehabilitation.

Example:

The most common (and pervasive) examples of social learning situations are television commercials.
Commercials suggest that drinking a certain beverage or using a particular hair shampoo will make us popular
and win the admiration of attractive people. Depending upon the component processes involved (such as
attention or motivation), we may model the behavior shown in the commercial and buy the product being
advertised.

Enterprise

The enterprise theory of crime understands the organization of criminal behaviour as reflective of
specific environmental factors - market or economic forces, influencing the motivations of criminals, how
they interact, their perceptions or risk versus benefit, and the efficiency and efficacy of their modus operandi.

Under this theory, organized crime exists because legitimate markets leave many customers and
potential customers unsatisfied. High demand for a particular good or service (e.g. drugs, prostitution, arms,
slaves), low levels of risk detection and high profits lead to a conducive environment for entrepreneurial
criminal groups to enter the market and profit by supplying those goods and services. For success, there must
be an identified market and a certain rate of consumption (demand) to maintain profit and outweigh perceived
risks.

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Under these conditions, competition is discouraged, ensuring criminal monopolies sustain profits.
Legal substitution of goods or services may (by increasing competition) force the dynamic of organized
criminal operations to adjust, as will deterrence measures (reducing demand), and the restriction of resources
(controlling the ability to supply or produce to supply).

Differential Association

Sutherland goes further to say that deviancy is contingent on conflicting groups within society, and
that such groups struggle over the means to define what is criminal or deviant within society. Criminal
organizations therefore gravitate around illegal avenues of production, profit-making, protectionism or social
control and attempt (by increasing their operations or membership) to make these acceptable. This also
explains the propensity of criminal organizations to develop protection rackets, to coerce through the use of
violence, aggression and threatening behavior (at times termed 'terrorism'). Preoccupation with methods of
accumulating profit highlight the lack of legitimate means to achieve economic or social advantage, as does
the organization of white-collar crime or political corruption (though it is debatable whether these are based
on wealth, power or both). The ability to effect social norms and practices through political and economic
influence (and the enforcement or normalization of criminogenic needs) may be defined by differential
association theory.

Example:

Mr. Tetra lives in a house full of thieves. He frequently interacts with them. Each day, his interest on
thievery intensifies as he found it amusing to learn their ways. Somehow, he managed to live in harmony with
them in the duration of his stay. His relationship with them has grown into a level where he was brought to a
place only known to them, an enclave of thieves. Somehow, he decided to join the group.

In this situation, Mr. Tetra was familiar with them, even recognizing them as thieves, criminals who
benefited from the properties of others. His frequent interactions, intensified interest, and intimate interaction
has changed his ways.

Note: Frequency refers to the number of times an individual interacts; Intensity is the gravity of the
influence that impacts the individual interacting; and Duration refers to the length of association or the
time spent during the interaction

Social Disorganization Theory

Developed by researchers at the University of Chicago in the 1920s and 1930s, social disorganization
theory asserts that crime is most likely to occur in communities with weak social ties and the absence of social
control. An individual who grows up in a poor neighborhood with high rates of drug use, violence, teenage
delinquency, and deprived parenting is more likely to become a criminal than an individual from a wealthy
neighborhood with a good school system and families who are involved positively in the community.

Social disorganization theory points to broad social factors as the cause of deviance. A person isn’t
born a criminal but becomes one over time, often based on factors in his or her social environment. Research
into social disorganization theory can greatly influence public policy. For instance, studies have found that
children from disadvantaged communities who attend preschool programs that teach basic social skills are
significantly less likely to engage in criminal activity.

Cultural Deviance

Cultural deviance theory suggests that conformity to the prevailing cultural norms of lower-class
society causes crime. Researchers Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay (1942) studied crime patterns in Chicago

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in the early 1900s. They found that violence and crime were at their worst in the middle of the city and
gradually decreased the farther someone traveled from the urban center toward the suburbs. Shaw and McKay
noticed that this pattern matched the migration patterns of Chicago citizens. New immigrants, many of them
poor and lacking knowledge of the English language, lived in neighborhoods inside the city. As the urban
population expanded, wealthier people moved to the suburbs and left behind the less privileged.

Criminals violate the law because they belong to a unique subculture - the counter-culture - their values
and norms conflicting with those of the working-, middle- or upper-classes upon which criminal laws are
based. This subculture shares an alternative lifestyle, language and culture, and is generally typified by being
tough, taking care of their own affairs and rejecting government authority. Role models include drug dealers,
thieves and pimps, as they have achieved success and wealth not otherwise available through socially-provided
opportunities. It is through modeling organized crime as a counter-cultural avenue to success that such
organizations are sustained.

Alien Conspiracy/Queer Ladder of Mobility

The alien conspiracy theory and queer ladder of mobility theories state that ethnicity and 'outsider'
status and their influences are thought to dictate the prevalence of organized crime in society. The alien
conspiracy theory posits that the contemporary structures of organized crime gained prominence during the
1860s in Sicily and that elements of the Sicilian population are responsible for the foundation of most
European and North American organized crime, comprising Italian-dominated crime families. The theory of
the “queer ladder of mobility” hypothesized “ethnic succession” (the attainment of power and control by a
more marginalized ethnic group over the less marginalized groups) occurs by promoting the perpetration of
criminal activities within a disenfranchised or oppressed demographic.

Exercises

Activity #1.

Direction: In a minimum of Five (5) sentences, provide your answer on the following questions:

1. Why is it important to study the theorical background of organized crime?

2. Which of the following theories in relation to organized crime that you think can explain the trend of
criminality committed by criminal groups in the country today?

Activity #2.

Direction: Reflection

1. What can you say about today’s activity?

Evaluation
Read the questions and ENCIRCLE the letter of your choice.
1. Which of the following explains that behavior is learned through observation?
a. Differential association
b. Social learning
c. Social disorganization
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d. Cultural deviance
2. Sutherland stated that behavior is learned and not inherited. It is affected by the number of times people
were able to intermingle with each other. This factor affecting human behavior refers to:
a. Frequency
b. Time
c. Intensity
d. Duration
3. Which of the following best describe the behavior explained by social learning theory?
a. Persons A, B and C lived together at the house of C and adapted his behavior.
b. Persons A and B learned that bullying can be a way to be recognized by other students in school
by seeing C bullying D.
c. A and B killed C and the community sees it as a normal phenomenon since it almost happens
every day.
d. A and B observed that crimes mostly happen in the middle of the city and thought of migrate
to rural areas.
4. The theory that explains human perception of risk versus reward refers to:
a. Differential association
b. Social learning
c. Enterprise
d. Cultural deviance
5. Social disorganization theory points to broad social factors as the cause of deviance. The word
“deviance” means:
a. An action or behavior that violates social norms
b. An action that conforms to formally enacted rules
c. An action imitated from others
d. An action observed from the community
6. Power can be attained by taking control of an inferior group in the community. This statement is related
to the hypothesis of the:
a. Alien Conspiracy Theory
b. Queer Ladder of Mobility Theory
c. Cultural Deviance
d. Enterprise
7. What theory explains that criminality is learned and not inherited depending on intensity, frequency,
and duration of human interactions?
a. Social Learning
b. Cultural Deviance
c. Differential Association
d. Social Disorganization
8. Claims that criminality usually occurs on groups of people with weak social bonds and the absence of
social control. This can be explained by:
a. Social Disorganization
b. Social Learning
c. Cultural Deviance
d. Differential Association
9. Which of the following theory of organized crime is based on supply and demand?
a. Cultural Deviance
b. Enterprise
c. Differential association
d. Social learning
10. Which of the the following components of Behavior Modelling Process does observation can be
included?
a. Retention

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b. Motor Reproduction
c. Motivation
d. Attention

References

 Abadinsky, H. (2006). Organized Crime: Eight Edition St. John’s University, Jamaica, NY, USA.
 Garcia, M. (2011). Organized Crime Investigation (A Lecture Series for Criminal Justice and
Criminology Students). Wiseman Book Store.
 Kleemans, E.R. (2014) Theoretical perspectives on organized crime. In: L. Paoli (ed.). Oxford
Handbook on Organized Crime. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication
/260569836_Theoretical_perspectives_on_organized_crime

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