NCJ Number
56076
Journal
Criminologie Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: (1977) Pages: 79-93
Date Published
1977
Length
15 pages
Annotation
TYPES OF ECONOMIC CRIME AS WELL AS POLICE CONTROL MEASURES, INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES, AND CONTROL-RELATED PROBLEMS IN QUEBEC ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
CRIMES DISRUPTIVE TO ECONOMIC PROCESSES IN AREAS SUCH AS BANKRUPTCY, PYRAMIDAL SALES SYSTEMS, TRANSFERABLE SECURITIES, REAL ESTATE FRAUD, CURRENCY COUNTERFEITING, CORRUPTION OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS, EMBEZZLEMENT, AND CHECK AND CREDIT CARD FRAUD ARE MOST OFTEN COMMITTED BY WHITE COLLAR CRIMINALS WORKING ALONE OR IN GROUPS AGAINST CITIZENS, COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES, AND THE GOVERNMENT. SPECIAL WHITE COLLAR CRIME UNITS HAVE BEEN FORMED BY QUEBEC'S CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE DEPARTMENT, THE CANADIAN ROYAL POLICE, AND THE MONTREAL URBAN POLICE FORCE; A SPECIAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY TRAINING COURSE FOR WHITE COLLAR CRIME SPECIALISTS HAS BEEN INTRODUCED AT THE QUEBEC INSTITUTE FOR POLICE TO IMPROVE INVESTIGATIVE EFFICIENCY. INVESTIGATION OF WHITE COLLAR CRIME ENCOMPASSES PRELIMINARY STUDY OF READILY AVAILABLE INFORMATION; THE SEARCH WARRANT PHASE TO OBTAIN EVIDENCE NECESSARY FOR CONVICTION; PREPARATION OF A PLAN FOR INVESTIGATION, PERFORMANCE OF THE INVESTIGATION, AND SUBMISSION OF MONTHLY REPORTS; AND PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE TO THE REGULAR POLICE AND THE COURTS IN THE FORM OF A REPORT CONTAINING AN INDEX, A SUMMARY, STATEMENTS, TECHNICAL PROOF, AND APPENDIXES. SPECIAL PROBLEMS FACING POLICE IN THEIR INVESTIGATIVE EFFORTS ARE LACK OF COOPERATION IN BUSINESS CIRCLES, UNCLEAR BOUNDARIES BETWEEN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LAW, MILD PENALTIES IMPOSED BY COURTS ON WHITE COLLAR CRIMINALS, IMPERSONATION OF PROFESSIONALS (E.G., ACCOUNTANTS) BY WHITE COLLAR CRIMINALS, INCONSISTENT DEFINITIONS OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE CRIMES, AND ABUSE OF COST-PLUS CONTRACTS WHICH DO NOT LIMIT COSTS, THUS PERMITTING THE CONTRACTOR TO BUY MATERIALS FROM THE FIRM OF HIS CHOICE, EVEN HIS OWN, AT ANY PRICE. A BRIEF BIBLIOGRAPHY AND TWO TABLES ARE SUPPLIED--IN FRENCH. (KMD)