NCJ Number
195978
Journal
American Behavioral Scientist Volume: 44 Issue: 6 Dated: February 2001 Pages: 1042-1052
Date Published
February 2001
Length
11 pages
Annotation
In discussing a form of criminal behavior known as extortion by product contamination, this article considers its prevalence and the types of organizations involved, as well as the types of products selected for contamination by extortionists.
Abstract
Extortion by product contamination involves making demands on an organization backed by threats to contaminate its products if the organization does not comply with the demands. This offense, although relatively rare in occurrence, can cause loss, damage, and injury on levels more usually associated with acts committed by terrorist groups. Moreover, the offense is well suited for terrorist groups as either a means of retribution or a viable fund-raising activity. Victims can include commercial organizations, consumers, and even members of the public at large when, for example, a threat is directed against a public utility. Extortionists are likely to seek as potential victims organizations that are market leaders or at least hold substantial portions of market share for a particular product type. Similarly, multinational organizations or food retailers with a comprehensive geographic spread within a country are likely to be targeted. Organizations must establish incident management teams (IMT's) to initiate and sustains response plans. Companies that have established IMT structures, provided training for IMT members, generated response plans, and tested their plans are likely to be more efficient and effective in managing a response. IMT's, however, must tailor their plans and responses to what is known about the tactics and motives of potential perpetrators. This means that further academic research on this crime is needed. Multinational organizations would benefit from funding such research. 15 references