NCJ Number
58459
Date Published
1978
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THE 48TH INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC OFFENSES HELD IN 1978 HEARD 20 SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM 13 COUNTRIES DISCUSS THESE CRIMES. A SUMMARY REPORT IS PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE.
Abstract
THE SEMINAR FOCUSED ON THE EXTENT OF ECONOMIC CRIMES, LEGISLATION TO COMBAT SUCH PROBLEMS, AND THE INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL OF THESE CRIMES. IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, SPECIAL ATTENTION IS FOCUSED ON SUCH CRIMES AS COMMERCIAL FRAUD, FOREIGN EXCHANGE VIOLATIONS, TAX EVASION, UNFAIR COMPETITION, SMUGGLING, FOOD ADULTERATION, ENVIRONMENTAL DISRUPTION, AND CORRUPTION. ALL OF THE PARTICIPANTS AGREED THAT THE PREVENTION AND SUPPRESSION OF CORRUPTION AMONG PUBLIC OFFICALS WAS VITAL IN CONTROLLING OTHER SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CRIMES. DISCUSSION ON LEGISLATION COVERING SUCH OFFENSES FOCUSED ON THE AREAS COVERED BY PENAL LEGISLATION; THE ROLE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES; AND LEGISLATIVE PROBLEM AREAS RELATING TO SUCH TOPICS AS CRIMINAL LIABILITY, USE OF PRESUMPTIVE DEVICES AND SHIFT OF THE BURDEN OF PROOF, AND THE LIABILITY OF CORPORATIONS. IN THE INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL OF SUCH CRIMES, THE PARTICIPANTS IDENTIFIED SEVEN AREAS OF CONCERN. THE FIRST RELATES TO THE NECESSITY OF EXPERT AND TECHNOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE BY THE INVESTIGATIVE AGENCIES. IN ADDITION, INVESTIGATORS SHOULD WORK FROM SPECIAL AGENCIES OR DIVISIONS. A THIRD AREA OF CONCERN IS THE TRAINING OF INVESTIGATIVE AND PROSECUTORIAL PERSONNEL. ATTENTION WAS ALSO PAID TO THE REMAINING CONCERNS OF OBTAINING INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE; INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN INVESTIGATION AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION; MEASURES FOR EFFECTIVE PROSECUTION; AND REDUCTION IN INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL DELAYS. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KCP).