NCJ Number
92815
Date Published
1983
Length
29 pages
Annotation
Social network analysis is useful in understanding and investigating organized crime groups.
Abstract
This experiment determined exactly what knowledge about an organized crime group could be gleaned from examination of a single set of law enforcement data. The data provided only nominal information on individual subjects who were members of an actual organized crime group for which the data were no longer relevant. The data consisted of biographical information collected by law enforcement on the top 100 narcotics violators in the New York City area in the middle and late 1970's. Some of these violators were members of the New Purple Gang. The New Purple Gang data were examined in terms of ethnic succession theories, social cohesion, and social networks. Law enforcement intelligence analysts usually rely on link analysis, a process showing the relationships among individuals and organizations. Social network analysis goes beyond this procedure to find patterns of causation and explanation. A law enforcement agency provided with more detailed information can improve the quality of prosecution by eliminating weak leads through social network analysis. Tables, notes, and 34 references are provided.