• E4J University Module Series: Organized Crime

• Module 1: Definitions of Organized Crime

• Introduction and learning outcomes

• Key issues

• Defining organized crime
• Definition in the Organized Crime Convention
• Similarities and differences between organized crime and other forms of crime
• Activities, organization and composition of organized criminal groups
• Summary
• References

• Exercises

• Case studies
• Thinking critically through fiction
• Excerpts of legislation

• Possible class structure

• Core reading

• Advanced reading

• Student assessment

• Review and assessment questions
• Quiz 1
• Research and independent study questions

• Additional teaching tools

 

Published in April 2018

Regional Perspective: Eastern and Southern Africa - added in April 2020

 

 

  This module is a resource for lecturers  

 

Summary

 

Organized crime is characterized by both the nature of the criminal conduct and also by the structure of the criminal group. Under the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, an "organized criminal group" is defined using four criteria: 

1. A structured group of three or more persons (that was not randomly formed);
2. The group exists for a period of time;
3. It acts in concert with the aim of committing at least one serious crime (punishable by at least four years of incarceration);
4. To obtain, directly or indirectly, a financial or other material benefit.

The three categories of crimes committed by these groups include the provision of illicit services, the provision of illicit goods, and the infiltration of legitimate business or government. The infiltration of legitimate business and government is distinguished from the provision of illicit goods and services most clearly by its characteristic use of extortionate threats. To carry out these activities, organized criminal groups are organized in different ways, often dependent on opportunities.

 

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