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Organized Crime Monitor

The purpose of the Organized Crime Monitor is to optimize the use of knowledge gained during large-scale investigations to develop an insight into the nature of organized crime in the Netherlands.

  1. Research method
  2. Organized Crime Monitor reports
  3. Other key publications in English

Research method

The main sources of this ongoing research project are files of closed Dutch police investigations of criminal groups, often spanning a period of several years (Kleemans et al. 1998; 2002). Since 1996 up to now, we have analyzed systematically 120 large-scale investigations (40 case studies per sweep). Each case study always starts with structured interviews with police officers and public prosecutors. After these interviews we analyze and summarize the police files. Describing and analyzing these files, use is made of an extensive checklist which elaborates upon the following leading questions: What is the composition of the group and how do offenders cooperate? What kinds of illegal activities do they engage in and how do they operate? How do they interact with the opportunities and risks of their environment? What are the proceeds of the criminal activities and how do they spend these proceeds? Transcripts of wiretaps, and data obtained from police observations and interrogations of victims and offenders, often provide us with a detailed and interesting look into the social world of organized crime.

Following three data sweeps we now have collected a wide cross-section of 120 cases, not only about the various forms of organized crime and various forms of cooperation, but also set within a specific timeframe. In addition, use was made of expert interviews, information from other investigations, confidential reports, crime analyses and (scientific) literature.

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Organized Crime Monitor reports

Bunt, H.G. van de, and E.R. Kleemans
Organized crime in the Netherlands; third report of the Organized Crime Monitor (summary)
The Hague, BJu/WODC, 2007
(Onderzoek en beleid, 252)

Kleemans, E.R.
Organised Crime Monitor
The Hague, WODC, 2007
(Fact sheet, 2006-18a)

Kleemans, E.R., M.E.I. Brienen, H.G. van de Bunt, R.F. Kouwenberg, G. Paulides and J. Barensen
Organized crime in the Netherlands; second report of the WODC-organized crime monitor (summary)
The Hague, BJu/WODC, 2002
(Onderzoek en beleid, 198)

Kleemans, E.R., E.A.I.M. van den Berg and H.G. van de Bunt
Organized crime in the Netherlands (summary)
The Hague, WODC, 1998
(Onderzoek en beleid, 173)




More information

  • ob252 summary01-05-2007 | pdf-document, 0.14 MBThis report contains the main findings of the third data sweep of the so-called Organized Crime Monitor. The purpose of this Monitor is to optimize the use of knowledge gained during large-scale investigations to develop an insight into the phenomenon of organized crime.
  • FS06-18a full text07-11-2006 | pdf-document, 60 KBThe purpose of the Organised Crime Monitor is to optimise the use of knowledge gained during large-scale investigations to develop an insight into the nature of organised crime in the Netherlands.
  • ob198 Summary06-12-2002 | pdf-document, 0.41 MBIn response to the Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry into Investigation Methods, the Minister of Justice made a commitment to the House of Representatives that he would report periodically on the nature of organised crime in the Netherlands and the developments to be identified in this context, following on from the study carried out by the Fijnaut study group. This is the second edtion of the Organised Crime Monitor.
  • ob173 Summary01-01-1999 | pdf-document, 9 KBPartly in response to the conclusions of the Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry on Investigative Methods, the Minister of Justice promised the Lower House to report biannually on the nature of organised crime in the Netherlands, pinpointing any developments. This commitment has been met by the Research and Documentation Centre’s ‘Monitor of Organised Crime. This takes the form of a periodic survey focused on the key issue: what is the nature of organised crime in the Netherlands and which developments can be recognised in this field?

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Other key publications in English

  • Soudijn, M., and E.R. Kleemans
    Chinese Organized Crime and Situational Context: a Comparison of Human Smuggling and Synthetic Drugs Trafficking
    Crime, Law and Social Change, 2009 (online only)

  • Kleemans, E.R. and H.G. van de Bunt
    Organised Crime, Occupations and Opportunity
    Global Crime, vol. 9, 2008, nr. 3, pp. 185-197

  • Kleemans, E.R. and C.J. de Poot
     Criminal Careers in Organized Crime and Social Opportunity Structure
    European Journal of Criminology, vol. 5, 2008, no. 1, pag.  69-98

  • Kleemans, E.R. and C.J. de Poot
     Criminal careers in organized crime (summary)
    The Hague, WODC, 2007
    (Cahier, 2007-13)

  • Kleemans, E.R. Organized crime, transit crime, and racketeering
    In: M. Tonry and C. Bijleveld (eds.) - Crime and Justice in the Netherlands
    Chicago, University of Chicago Press
    Crime and Justice, A Review of Research, vol. 35, 2007, pag. 163-215. , 2007

  • Van de Bunt, H.G. and C. van der Schoot (eds.)
     Prevention of Organised Crime: A Situational Approach
    Cullompton, Willan Publishing, 2003/The Hague, BJU/WODC, 2003
    (Onderzoek en beleid, 215)

  • Kleemans, E.R. and H.G. van de Bunt
     The Social Embeddedness of Organized Crime
    Transnational Organized Crime, vol. 5, 1999, no. 2, pag. 19-36

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