European Experiences in Preventing Organised Crime: Field Studies of Best Practices by a Council of Europe Expert Group (From International Key Issues in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice: Papers in Celebration of 25 years of HEUNI, P 13-33, 2006, Kauko Aromaa and Terhi Viljanen, eds. -- See NCJ-219360)

• NCJ Number: 219361
• Author(s): Kauko Aromaa
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 21 pages
• Corporate Author: United Nations European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control (HEUNI)
• Sale Source: Criminal Justice Press/Willow Tree Press
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description
• Language: English
• Country: Finland

Annotation

Based on field visits to selected European countries to conduct interviews with key experts on organized-crime prevention issues, a Council of Europe expert group presents best practices being used to counter organized crime.

Abstract

One countermeasure against organized crime is to provide effective protection for witnesses who have been involved in and have inside knowledge of organized crime personnel and networks. A second countermeasure involves reversing the burden of proof for confiscating the proceeds of crime, such that the offender must prove that a particular asset has not been acquired through crime proceeds. A third countermeasure is the interception of communications along with intrusive surveillance, in order to gain incriminating information. A fourth recommended countermeasure is crime analysis, which involves the collection and analysis of data on organized crime's operations, so as to tailor investigative techniques and prevention measures to the criminal methods being used by organized crime. Cross-border cooperation is another best practice that improves the effectiveness of investigations of transnational organized crime. The identification and development of profiles and movements of key members of criminal organizations is also an effective means of enhancing investigations and impeding the activities of organized crime. In the case of human trafficking perpetrated by criminal groups, it is helpful to use victims as witnesses to identify trafficking methods and the traffickers. Finally, there should be legal administrative measures designed to prevent organized crime from infiltrating and developing legitimate businesses by using capital from criminal enterprises. Similar measure should be used to counter organized crime's corruption of public officials. Each field survey involved three European countries that were selected according to previous information about their experience in dealing with one of the eight survey topics on organized crime countermeasures.