Behavioral Model for Ukrainian Organized Crime Groups (From Prediction and Control of Organized Crime: The Experience of Post-Soviet Ukraine, P 183-191, 2004, James O. Finckenauer, Jennifer L. Schrock, eds., -- See NCJ-204368)

• NCJ Number: 204378
• Author(s): Alexander N. Yarmysh
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 9 pages
• Sale Source: Transaction Publishers
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter sketches the first comprehensive behavioral crime model for Ukrainian organized criminal groups relying on both quantitative and qualitative analysis of Ukrainian data about organized criminal groups.

Abstract

Relying on a sociological perspective, the author applies theories of social organization and small group behavior, combined with the concept of a “criminal triangle,” to offer a behavioral model of Ukrainian organized crime. A “criminal triangle” refers to the concept that professional crime and criminals, organized crime, and prison social groups operate cooperatively and are dependent upon each other for success. Parson’s theory of social organization asserts that human behavior is determined by four elements: the organism, personality system, social system, and culture. The authors assert that organized criminal behavior also relies on these four elements. Both qualitative and quantitative data were aggregated and included a statistical analysis of Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs crime data from 1992 through 2000; an analysis of data on individuals involved with crime groups in Ukraine from 1994 through 2000; and an analysis of statistics from 1997 to 2000 on organized crime groups from the quarterly records of the Kharkov State Department for Fighting Organized Crime. A case study was also carried out on an organized criminal group whose members were serving time in prison. In all, 232 participants were surveyed about the institutions, traditions, and group dynamics of the criminal world and organized crime and 150 criminal cases were analyzed using primary source case materials. Analysis of the data suggests that the rules of organized crime can be divided into three heterogeneous sets. First, the ideological infrastructure must embody the tradition and mythology of organized crime as a worldview and way of life. Second, intra-group rules are formed which are common to all individuals involved in the crime group. The rules include leadership, group control, structure, the determination of roles, and external and internal controls. Third, are the standards and techniques needed to carry out criminal activities. As crime groups continue to evolve, law enforcement will also have to evolve to meet the increasing challenges of policing such groups. Notes, references