Understanding Criminal Networks

Gisela Bichler is Professor of Criminal Justice at California State University, San Bernardino.

"Bichler provides a compelling introduction and guide to criminal networks: what they are, how they are organized, and how the tools of social network analysis may be used to understand them."

• List of Illustrations and Tables1. READ FIRSTA Practical ExampleProblem-Oriented PolicingP.I.V.O.T.Utility of Social Network AnalysisObjective of this BookOrganization of the Book2. DEMYSTIFYING SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSISExample ProjectMethodsUnitsFocusRelationsAnalytic Options3. SOCIAL NETWORK THEORY 101Assumptions of Social Network AnalysisFour Essential Theoretical PerspectivesStrength of Weak TiesStructural Holes Theory of Social CapitalSmall-World PerspectiveContagion and Three Degrees of InfluenceSuggested Readings4. CONNECTED CRIMINALITYOverview of Theoretical CongruenceBiopsychological TheoriesControl TheoriesDevelopmental TheoriesStrain TheoriesHyperdyadic Social Learning in the World of MethamphetamineData Source and InspirationLearning Theory RefresherIntegrating Learning Theory with Hyperdyadic Spread—Methamphetamine ExampleVisualizing Anonymous NetworksSuggested Readings5. CONNECTED EVENTSOverview of Theoretical CongruenceDeterrence and Situational TheoriesNeighborhood Ecological TheoriesA Networked Account of Opportunity TheoriesCrime Pattern TheoryRoutine Activity TheoryAn Integrated Theory of Networked OpportunitySuggested Readings6. WHO IS WHO?Rapid OnsetCurrent UnderstandingCo-offendingCriminal GroupsCriminal Enterprise7. GATHERING DATAAssembling Information about Criminal NetworksResearch DesignsSamplingCollecting DataSmall World MethodSuggested Readings8. MAPPING NETWORKSData IntegrationConsolidating Relational InformationEntity ResolutionEstimating the Amount of Missing DataSensitivity AnalysisDetecting Corrupted DataDigit AnalysisExample Digital Analysis of Global Weapons TradeFinal Words of Advice9. DESCRIBING NETWORKSDescribing the Whole NetworkGeneral Descriptive StatisticsStructural Description of a Whole NetworkClusteringInvestigating Actor PositioningDegree CentralityBetweenness CentralityEgocentric NetworksDescriptive StatisticsMeasures of Central Positioning10. ADVANCED ANALYTIC OPTIONSTransitivityNondirected GraphsDirected GraphsGang Violence ExampleSubgroup IdentificationTop-Down ApproachesBottom-Up ApproachesExample ApplicationAdvanced Analytics11. PRODUCING PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTSMaking Critics HappyVisualizing ConnectionsSlices and LayoutsImage ElementsPresentation TipsDriversAcademic Research CentersPractitioner-Oriented ProgramsProfessional Associations and Training OpportunitiesConcluding RemarksReferencesIndex