Insight into the way in which criminal acts are committed is needed to successfully tackle crime. Knowledge must be gathered to gain this insight. This also applies to the strategy used by the government to respond to crime. The WODC conducts research into crime phenomena such as cybercrime, organized crime, the drugs trade, terrorism and into tackling them.
An important, ongoing research project is the Organized Crime Monitor, the aim of which is to identify developments in organized crime to provide starting points for tackling it. Other research involves the detection and prevention of cybercrime. Research is also being conducted into police behaviour, special investigating officers, investigative authorities and the Public Prosecution Service.