• E4J University Module Series: Organized Crime

• Module 8: Law Enforcement Tools and Cooperation

• Introduction and learning outcomes

• Key issues

• Jurisdiction
• Investigators of organized crime
• Controlled delivery
• Physical and electronic surveillance
• Undercover operations
• Financial analysis
• Use of informants
• Rights of victims and witnesses in investigations
• Summary
• References

• Exercises

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

• Possible class structure

• Core reading

• Advanced reading

• Student assessment

• Review and assessment questions
• Quiz 8
• Research and independent study questions

• Additional teaching tools

 

Published in May 2018

Regional Perspective: Pacific Islands Region - added in November 2019

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

 

 

  This module is a resource for lecturers  

 

Summary

 

The investigation of organized crime requires strategies and techniques quite different from conventional crimes. The special investigative techniques described in this Module have been widely used in organized crime investigations. These tools involve more planning, organization, and time-intensive effort than more traditional law enforcement tools, but they are necessary to investigate criminal behaviour that is generally better planned and organized than in traditional crimes. Each investigative technique was shown to have both strengths and weaknesses, and their use needs to balance the competing interests of ensuring public safety through apprehension of criminals with the need to ensure the rights of individuals. Further challenge to investigating organized crime is posed by the vulnerability of victims and witnesses to such crimes.