NCJ Number
59765
Journal
International Annals of Criminology Volume: 17 Issue: 1 & 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 51-67
Date Published
1978
Length
17 pages
Annotation
THE AIM OF CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF ECONOMIC CRIME SHOULD BE TO FIGHT THIS FORM OF CRIMINALITY AND TO REFORM THE LAW SYSTEM AND THE ACTIVITIES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
Abstract
CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH SHOULD FOCUS ON FIGHTING ECONOMIC CRIME AND INCLUDE THE INSIGHTS OF PHENOMENOLOGY (PATTERNS AND FORMS OF DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR) AND ETIOLOGY (THE CAUSES OF THIS BEHAVIOR). THE STARTING POINT OF CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH IS THE QUESTION IF AND TO WHAT EXTENT DEVIANT OR DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR EXISTS. SPECIFIED PHENOMENOLOGIC RESEARCH IS NECESSARY TO ANSWER THE LATTER BASIC QUESTION, THROUGH A NORMATIVE AND AN ECONOMIC METHOD. THE NORMATIVE METHOD ANSWERS THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT CERTAIN ACTIONS ARE CRIMES OR MERIT CRIMINAL SANCTIONS FROM A JUDICIAL-NORMATIVE PERSPECTIVE. THE ECONOMIC METHOD IMPLIES THAT ANSWERING THE NORMATIVE QUESTION ABOUT SOCIAL INJURIOUSNESS OF CERTAIN ACTIONS IN THE FIELD OF ECONOMIC LIFE REQUIRES ECONOMIC STANDARDS AND SUBSTANTIAL ECONOMIC KNOWLEDGE TO MEASURE THE HARM CAUSED BY THE ACTION CONCERNED. EXACT KNOWLEDGE OF PHENOMENOLOGY IS A FURTHER BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR FINDING OUT CAUSES AND CRIMINOGENIC FACTORS OF ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS CRIMES. MOREOVER, NECESSARY REFORM WORK IN SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF MOST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AND NORTH AMERICA SHOULD GO IN THE DIRECTION OF DECRIMINALIZATION IN THE FIELD OF ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS OFFENSES. LAW REFORM AND ESPECIALLY REFORM OF CRIMINAL LAW AS WELL AS IMPROVEMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE ALSO NECESSARY STEPS IN AMENDING LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICY IN THE FIELD OF ECONOMIC CRIME. (MJW)