ON THE PAUCITY OF ORIGINAL RESEARCH ON ORGANIZED CRIME - A FOOTNOTE TO GALLIHER AND CAIN

• NCJ Number: 42964
• Journal: American Sociologist Volume: 10 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1975) Pages: 36-39
• Author(s): W CHAMBLISS
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: American Sociological Review
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINT

Annotation

THE AUTHOR, A NOTED CRIMINOLOGIST, GIVES A PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF THE METHODS HE USED TO GAIN FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORLD OF ORGANIZED CRIME IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

Abstract

DRESSED AS A TRUCK DRIVER, THE AUTHOR FREQUENTED THE SLUMS OF SEATTLE. HE UTILIZED THE CONTACTS MADE DURING THESE VISITS TO INITIATE A 'PARTICIPATORY STUDY ' OF SUCH ACTIVITIES AS ORGANIZED GAMBLING. ONLY AFTER EXTENSIVE CONTACT WITH THESE PEOPLE WAS THE AUTHOR ABLE TO DISCLOSE HIS TRUE IDENTITY, AND EVEN AFTER THIS DISCLOSURE, HE WAS CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN A TOTALLY TRUSTWORTHY AND CONFIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ORGANIZED CRIME PARTICIPANTS HE INTERVIEWED. BASED ON HIS EXPERIENCE, THE AUTHOR URGES THAT OTHER SOCIOLOGISTS INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN SUCH FIELD RESEARCH....DMC