INITAO COLLEGE
Initao, Misamis Oriental
Mindanao, Philippines 9022
Criminal Justice Education
Curriculum
CRIM 101
INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY
LEARNING MODULE
(Midterm)
First Semester, A.Y. 2022-2023
(Use BLACK ballpoint pen only)
Name of Student : _____________________________________________
Year level and course : _____________________________________________
Home Address : _____________________________________________
Email address : _____________________________________________
Mobile numbers : _____________________________________________
Landline # : _____________________________________________
Social media account : _____________________________________________
Messenger Account : _____________________________________________
Name of Faculty : Jane P. Cagod, RC
Email address : janecagod21@[Link]
Messenger Account : [Link]
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. Join the Facebook Page __________. Read the page rules well and follow them.
2. Write your answers for Explore and Elaborate in a long bond paper.
3. Write your NAME, COURSE, AND SECTION in all pages of your long bond paper/
submissions
4. Arrange chronologically your Submission.
5. Make your Hand writing legible. Any student whose writing is unreadable will be called
for oral recitation at the office.
6. No PRINTED ANSWERS unless otherwise stated in the instruction.
CRIM 101, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY Jane P. Cagod, RCrim Page 1 of 16
LESSON 1: Early Twentieth, Middle & Late 20th Century Theories
What is Theory?
A theory is an explanation to make sense of our observations about the world. We test hypotheses
and create theories that help us understand and explain the phenomena. According to Paternoster and
Bachman (2001), theories should attempt to portray the world accurately and must “fit the
facts.” Criminological theories focus on explaining the causes of crime. They explain why some people
commit a crime, identify risk factors for committing a crime, and can focus on how and why certain laws are
created and enforced. Sutherland (1934) has referred to criminology as the scientific study of breaking the
law, making the law, and society’s reaction to those who break the law. Besides making sense of our
observations, theories also strive to make predictions. If we understand why crime is happening, we can
formulate policies or programs to minimize it.
Middle Twentieth Century
Ernest Kretschmer (1888-
1964)
"Psychoanalytical
theory" William H. Sheldon (1898-1977)
"Somatotyping Theory"
“Anomie “Human
Theory” Ecology Edwin Sutherland (1883-1950)
Theory” "Differential Association Theory"
Walter Reckless (1899 - 1988)
EARLY TWENTIETH "Containment Theory"
CENTURY
THEORIES
Karl Marx, Frederick Engel, Willem
Bonger (1818 -1940)
"Social Class Conflict and Capitalism
Theory"
CRIM 101, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY Jane P. Cagod, RCrim Page 2 of 16
CRIM 101, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY Jane P. Cagod, RCrim Page 3 of 16
EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY THEORIES
1. David Emile Durkheim (French, 1858 - 1917) - He
advocated the “Anomie Theory”, the theory that focused
on the sociological point of the positivist school, which
explains that the absence of norms in a society provides a
setting conductive to crimes and other antisocial acts.
According to him, the explanation of human conduct lies not
in the individual but in the group and the social organization.
➢ Anomie - is a condition in which society provides little moral guidance to individuals.
2. Sigmund Freud (1856 - 1969) - Psychologists have considered a variety of possibilities to
account for individual differences – defective conscience, emotional immaturity, inadequate
childhood socialization, maternal deprivation, and poor moral development. The Freudian
view on criminal behavior was based on the use of Psychology in explaining an approach
in understanding criminal behavior – the foundation of the Psychoanalytical theory.
➢ Psychoanalytic Theory is the personality theory, which is based on the notion that an
individual gets motivated more by unseen forces that are controlled by the conscious and
the rational thought.
3. Robert Ezra Park (1864 - 1944) - Park is a strong advocate of the scientific method in
explaining criminality but he is a sociologist. He advocated the “Human Ecology Theory”.
➢ Human Ecology is the study of the interrelationship of people and their environment. This
theory maintains that crime is a function of social change that occurs along with
environmental change. It also maintains that the isolation, segregation, competition,
conflict, social contract, interaction and social hierarchy of people are the major influences
of criminal behavior and crimes.
MIDDLE TWENTIETH CENTURY
1. Ernest Kretschmer (1888 – 1964) - The idea of somatotyping was originated from the
work of a German Psychiatrist, Ernest Kretschmer, who distinguished three principal types
of physique as:
a. Asthenic – lean, slightly built, narrow
shoulders
b. Athletic – medium to tall, strong,
muscular, course bones
c. Pyknic – medium height, rounded figure,
massive neck, broad face
Kretschmer related these body physique
to various pychotic behavioral patterns: Pyknic
to manic depression, asthenics and athletics to
schizophrenia.
2. William H. Sheldon (1898 – 1977) - Sheldon is an influenced of the Somatotype School of
Criminology, which related body built to behavior. He became popular of his own
Somatotyping Theory. His key ideas are concentrated on the principle of “Survival of the
Fittest” as a behavioral science. He combines the biological and psychological explanation
to understand deviant behavior. Sheldon’s “Somatotyping Theory” maintains the belief of
inheritance as the primary determinants of behavior and the physique is a reliable indicator
of personality.
CRIM 101, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY Jane P. Cagod, RCrim Page 4 of 16
Classification of Body Physique by Sheldon
a. Endomorphy – a type with relatively
predominance of soft, roundness through out
the regions of the body. They have low specific
gravity. Persons with typically relaxed and
comfortable disposition.
b. Mesomorphy – athletic type, predominance of
muscle, bone and connective tissue, normally
heavy, hard and firm, sting and tough. They are
the people who are routinely active and
aggressive, and they are the most likely to
commit crimes.
c. Ectomorphy – thin physique, flat chest,
delicacy through the body, slender, poorly
muscled. They tend to look more fatigue and
withdrawn.
3. Edwin Sutherland (1883 - 1950) - Sutherland has been referred to as “the most important
criminologist of the twentieth century” because his explanation about crime and criminal
behavior can be seen as a corrected extension of social perspective. For this reason, he
was considered as the “Dean of Modern Criminology.” He said that crime is learned and not
inherited.
He advocated the DAT – Differential Association Theory, which maintain that the society is
composed of different group organization, the societies consist of a group of people having
criminalistic tradition and anti-criminalistic tradition. And that criminal behavior is learned
and not inherited. It is learned through the process of communication, and learning process
includes technique of committing the crime, motive and attitude.
➢ Differential-Social Disorganization Theory - This is sometimes called Social
Disorganization. There is social disorganization when there is breakdown, changes,
conflict of values between the new and the old, when there is reduced influence of the
social institution over behavior and when there is declining influence of the solid moral
and ethical front.
4. Walter Reckless (1899 - 1988) - The Containment Theory assumes that for every individual
there exists a containing external structure and a protective internal structure, both of which
provide defense, protection or insulation against crime or delinquency. According to
Reckless, the outer structure of an individual are the external pressures such as poverty,
unemployment and blocked opportunities while the inner containment refers to the person’s
self control ensured by strong ego, good self image, well developed conscience, high
frustration tolerance and high sense of responsibility. (Adler, 1995)
5. Karl Marx, Frederick Engel, Willem Bonger (1818 -1940) -They are the proponents of the
Social Class Conflict and Capitalism Theory. Marx and Engel claim that the ruling class in
a capitalist society is responsible for the creation of criminal law and their ideological bases
in the interpretation and enforcement of the laws. All are reflected in the ruling class, thus
crime and delinquency are reflected on the demoralized surplus of population, which is
made up of the underprivileged usually the unemployed and underemployed. Willem
Bonger, a Marxist-Socialist, on the other hand, placed more emphasis on working bout
crimes of economic gain. He believes that profit -motive of capitalism generates an egoistic
personality. Hence, crime is an inevitable outcome.
LATE 20TH CENTURY: THE CONTEMPORARY PIONEERS
1. Robert King Merton (1910) - Robert Merton is the premier sociologist of the modern days
who, after Durkheim, also related the crime problem to anomie. He advocated the Strain
Theory, which maintains that the failure of man to achieve a higher status of life caused
them to commit crimes in order for that status/goal to be attained. He argued that crime is
a means to achieve goals and the social structure is the root of the crime problem. Merton’s
explanation to criminal behavior assumes that people are law abiding but when under great
pressure will result to crime.
2. Albert Cohen (1918) - He advocated the Sub-Culture Theory of Delinquency. Cohen claims
that the lower class cannot socialize effectively as the middle class in what is considered
appropriate middle class behavior. Thus, the lower class gathered together share their
common problems, forming a subculture that rejects middle class values. Cohen called this
CRIM 101, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY Jane P. Cagod, RCrim Page 5 of 16
process as reaction formation. Much of this behavior comes to be called delinquent
behavior; the subculture is called a gang and the kids are called delinquents. He put
emphasis on the explanation of prevalence, origins, process and purposes as factors to
crime.
3. Gresham Sykes (1922) - He advocated the Neutralization Theory. It maintains that an
individual will obey or disobey societal rules depending upon his or her ability to rationalize
whether he is protected from hurt or destruction. People become law abiding if they feel
they are benefited by it and they violate it if these laws are not favorable to them.
4. Lloyd Ohlin (1928) - He advocated the DOT – Differential Opportunity Theory. This theory
explained that society leads the lower class to want things and society does things to
people. He claimed that there is differential opportunity, or access, to success goals by both
legitimate and illegitimate means depending on the specific location of the individual with in
the social structure. Thus, lower class groups are provided with greater opportunities for the
acquisition of deviant acts.
5. Frank Tennenbaum, Edwin Lemert, Howard Becker (1822 - 1982) - They are the
advocates of the Labeling Theory – the theory that explains about social reaction to
behavior. The theory maintains that the original cause of crime cannot be known, no
behavior is intrinsically criminal, and behavior becomes criminal if it is labeled as such.
6. Earl Richard Quinney (1934) – He was a Marxist criminologist who advocated the
Instrumentalist Theory of capitalist rule. He argued that the state exist as a device for
controlling the exploited class – the class that labors for the benefit of the ruling class. He
claims that upper classes create laws that protect their interest and at the same time the
unwanted behavior of all other members of society. Quinney major contribution is that he
proposed the shift in focus from looking for the causes of crime from the individual to the
examination of the Criminal Justice System for clues.
CRIM 101, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY Jane P. Cagod, RCrim Page 6 of 16
LESSON 2: Other Theorist
Historical timeline of theories
Figure1: CHARLES GORING Figure 2: CHARLES DARWIN
Demonological Theory
CRIM 101, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY Jane P. Cagod, RCrim Page 7 of 16
OTHER THEORISTS
1. Charles Darwin’s Theory (1809 - 1882) - In
the theory of evolution, he claimed that
humans, like other animals, are parasite. Man
is an organism having an animalistic behavior
that is dependent on other animals for survival.
Thus, man kills and steals to live.
2. Charles Goring’s Theory (1870 - 1919) - The medical officer in prison in England who
accepted the Lombroso’s challenge that body physique is a determinant to behavior. Goring
concluded that there is no such thing a
physical chemical type. He contradicted
the Lombroso’s idea that criminality can be
seen through features alone.
Nevertheless, Goring accepted that
criminals are physically inferior to normal
individuals in the sense that criminals tend
to be shorter and have less weight than
non-criminals.
3. Earnest Hooton’s Theory (1887 - 1954) -
An Anthropologist who reexamined the work of Goring and found out that “Tall thin men
tend to commit forgery and fraud, undersized men are thieves and burglars, short heavy
person commit assault, rape and other sex crimes; where as mediocre (average) physique
flounder around among other crimes.” He also contended that criminals are originally
inferior; and that crime is the result of the impact of environment.
4. Adolphe Quetelet (1796 - 1874) - Quetelet was a Belgian Statistician who pioneered
Cartography and the Carthographical School of Criminology that placed emphasis on social
statistics. He discovered, bhe asing on his research, that crimes against persons increased
during summer and crimes against property tends to increase during winter.
CRIM 101, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY Jane P. Cagod, RCrim Page 8 of 16
A Century of Change
Until the 20th Century, criminality
was primarily thought about in terms of
human nature. However, despite the
persistence of the term in criminological
research, sociological research shifted
the discussion from human nature to
human normality. That is, theories of
criminality were no longer based on
abstract discussions of traits that were
present or absent in human beings, but
were based on empirical research about
patterns of the behavior of particular
individuals in particular contexts.
The “social ecology” of the late
Chicago school can be read as a
sociological response to theories of crime
based on constitutional theories, but Sutherland’s Differentials Association Theory and Merton’s
Strain Theory also stress the importance of examining the cultural and structural environments
which individuals not only respond to, but which shape their particular ways of looking at the world.
Since 1950, criminological theorists have
traveled down two different paths. Many continue
with the positivist orientation of the early
sociologists, concerned with developing these
early theories in order to determine the etiology of
criminal behavior. Their opportunity theories and
control theories all carry on these themes. Others
have revived the legal perspective that
criminologists associate with the classical school,
questioning how the state identifies and responds
to criminal behavior. “Conflict” theories, date back
to Karl Max, while more recent labeling theories
and feminist theories raise questions about the
state and even the criminologist plays in defining
and/ or creating criminal behavior in society.
From these changes and shifts of focuses came other ideas- theories like the – group of
theories which are primarily focused on the Psychiatric make-up of the individual criminal, stating
among others that human intelligence is the big factor in criminality. The question on whether or
not intelligence and criminality are significantly related has also been the focus of several
researchers and a subject of debates.
Finding of researchers vary resulting to the different opinions about the matter. Early
researchers however found out a good majority of criminals tested for intelligence were shown to
have low IQ. (Alder, 1998)
Resent investigations on the matter have revealed the following findings:
✓ The effect of low IQ on criminal behavior is more significant than those
educated and with high IQs
✓ A strong relationship exists between low IQ and crime independent of social
class
✓ IQ is more closely related to crime than that of social class.
HISTORICAL TIMELINE OF THE THEORIES
The history of criminology dates back from the works of criminological thinkers or theorists
in criminology. The origins of criminology are usually located in the late-eighteenth century writings
of those who sought to reform criminal justice and penal systems that they perceived as cruel,
inhumane, and arbitrary. These old systems applied the law unequally, were subject to great
corruption, and often used torture and the death penalty indiscriminately.
THEORY MOTIVE
Demonology (5,000 BC-1692 AD) Demonic Influence
Astrology (3500 BC-1630 AD) Zodiac/Planetary Influence
CRIM 101, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY Jane P. Cagod, RCrim Page 9 of 16
Theology (1215 BC-present) God's will
Medicine (3000 BC -present) Natural illness
Education (1642-present) Academic underachievement/bad teachers
Psychiatry (1795-present) Mental illness
Psychoanalysis (1895-present) Subconscious guilt/defense mechanisms
Classical School of Criminology (1690--) Free will/reason/hedonism
Positive School of Criminology (1840--) Determinism/beyond control of individual
Phrenology (1770-1875) Bumps on head
Cartography (1800-present) Geographic location/climate
Mental Testing (1895-present) Feeble-mindedness/retardation/low IQ
Osteopathy (1892-present) Abnormalities of bones or joints
Chiropractics (1895-present) Misalignment of spine/nerves
Imitation (1843-1905) Mind on mind crowd influences
Economics (1818-present) Poverty/economic need/consumerism
Case Study Approach (1909-present) Emotional/social development
Social Work (1903-present) Community/individual relations
Sociology (1908-present) Social/environmental factors
Castration (1907-1947) Secretion of androgen from testes
Ecology (1927-present) Relation of person with environment
Transexualism (1937-1969) Trapped in body of wrong sex
Psychosurgery (1935-1959) Frontal lobe dysfunction/need lobotomy
Culture Conflict (1938-1980) Conflict of customs from “old” country
Differential Association (1939-present) Learning from bad companions
Anomie (1938-present) State of normlessness/goal-means gap
Differential Opportunity (1961-present) Absence of legitimate opportunities
Alienation (1938-1975) Frustration/feeling cut off from others
Identity (1942-1980) Hostile attitude/crisis/sense of sameness
Identification (1950-1955) Making heroes out of legendary criminals
Containment (1961-1971) Outer temptation/inner resistance balance
Prisonization (1940-1970) Customs and folkways of prison culture
Gang Formation (1927-present) Need for acceptance, status, belonging
Behavior Modification (1938-1959) Reward/Punishment Programming
Social Defense (1947-1971) Soft targets/absence of crime prevention
Guided Group Interaction (1958-1971) Absence of self-responsibility/discussion
Interpersonal Maturity (1965-1983) Unsocialized, subcultural responses
Sociometry (1958-1969) One’s place in group network system
Dysfunctional Families (1958-present) Members “feed off” other’s neurosis
White-collar Crime (1945-present) Cutting corners/bordering on illegal
Control Theory (1961-present) Weak social bonds/natural predispositions
Strain Theory (1954-present) Anger, relative deprivation, inequality
Subcultures (1955-present) Criminal values as normal within group
Labeling Theory (1963-1976) Self-fulfilling prophecies/name-calling
Neutralization (1957-1990) Self-talk, excuses before behavior
Drift (1964-1984) Sense of limbo/living in two worlds
Reference Groups (1953-1978) Imaginary support groups
Operant Conditioning (1953-1980) Stimuli-to-stimuli contingencies
CRIM 101, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY Jane P. Cagod, RCrim Page 10 of 16
Reality Therapy (1965-1975) Failure to face reality
Gestalt Therapy (1969-1975) Perception of small part of "big picture"
No communication between inner parentadult-
Transactional Analysis (1961-1974)
child
Learning Disabilities (1952-1984) School failure/relying on "crutch"
Biodynamics (1955-1962) Lack of harmony with environment
Nutrition and Diet (1979-present) Imbalances in mineral/vitamin content
Metabolism (1950-1970) Imbalance in metabolic system
Biofeedback (1974-1981) Involuntary reactions to stress
Biosocial Criminology (1977-1989) Environment triggers inherited "markers"
The "New Criminology" (1973-1983) Ruling class oppression
Conflict Criminology (1969-present) Structural barriers to class interests
Critical Criminology (1973-present) Segmented group formations
Radical Criminology (1976-present) Inarticulation of theory/praxis
Left Realism (1984-present) Working class prey on one another
Criminal Personality (1976-1980) Errors of thinking
Criminal Pathways Theory (1979-present) Critical turning/tipping points in life events
Feminism (1980-present) Patriarchial power structures
Low Self Control Theory (1993-present) Impulsiveness, Sensation-seeking
General Strain Theory (1994-present) Stress, Hassles, Interpersonal Relations
Demonological Theory
Demonology (5,000 BC-1692 AD)
Before the development of more scientific theories of criminal behavior, one of the most
popular explanations was Demonology (Hagan, 1990)
According to this explanation to this explanation individuals were thought to be possessed
by good or evil spirits, which caused good or evil behavior. The theory maintains that criminal
behavior was believed to be the result of evil spirits and demon something of natural force that
controls his/her behavior. Centuries ago, Guilt and innocence were established by a variety of
procedures that presumably called forth the supernatural allies of the accused. The accused were
innocent if they could survive an ordeal, or if miraculous signs appeared. They were guilty if they
died at stake, or if omens were associated with them (Bartol, 1995). Harsh punishments were also
given.
Labeling theory posits that self-identity and the behavior of individuals may be determined
or influenced by the terms used to describe or classify them. It is associated with the concepts of self-
fulfilling prophecy and stereotyping. Labeling theory holds that deviance is not inherent in an act, but
instead focuses on the tendency of majorities to negatively label minorities or those seen as deviant
from standard cultural norms. The theory was prominent during the 1960s and 1970s, and some
modified versions of the theory have developed and are still currently popular. Stigma is defined as
a powerfully negative label that changes a person's self-concept and social identity.
Labeling theory is closely related to social-construction and symbolic-interaction analysis. Labeling
theory was developed by sociologists during the 1960s. Howard Saul Becker's book Outsiders was
extremely influential in the development of this theory and its rise to popularity.
Labeling theory is also connected to other fields besides crime. For instance there is the labeling
theory that corresponds to homosexuality. Alfred Kinsey and his colleagues were the main advocates
in separating the difference between the role of a "homosexual" and the acts one does. An example
is the idea that males performing feminine acts would imply that they are homosexual. Thomas J.
Scheff states that labeling also plays a part with the "mentally ill". The label does not refer to criminal
but rather acts that are not socially accepted due to mental disorders.
Conflict theory is a set of criminological theories that holds that those in society who
possess the social and economic power, the ruling class, define antisocial behavior. Antisocial
3behavior results from class conflict and social and economic inequality. The ruling class uses the
criminal law and the criminal justice system to protect their interests and to control the lower class.
CRIM 101, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY Jane P. Cagod, RCrim Page 11 of 16
Conflict theory consists of the conflict theoretical perspective, the critical theoretical perspective, and
the feminist theoretical perspective.
LESSON 3: What is Organized Crime
Organized Crime Families
CRIM 101, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY Jane P. Cagod, RCrim Page 12 of 16
CRIMES IN THE MODERN WORLD
The crimes in the modern world represent the latest and the
most dangerous manifestations of the something- for nothing- complex
problems of society. This includes Organized Crimes, White Collar
Crimes, Conventional Cries, Victimless Crimes and the so called
Transnational Crimes.
The transnational character of many crimes in this modern
world, although not new, has not been fully recognized until recently.
Crime was traditionally viewed as a purely domestic law enforcement
issue and, therefore, treated and addressed as an exclusive concern
of individual states. As such crimes, being a new threat to domestic and international interest and security,
has given recognition to be known as Transnational Crimes.
Transnational crime is an offense that has an international dimension and implies crossing at least
one national boarder before, during or after the fact. This include but not limited to illegal drug trafficking,
money laundering, terrorism, arm smuggling, piracy, kidnapping, trafficking in persons, and cyber crimes.
Most of these falling under this category reflect connection with organized and white collar ccriminals.
ORGANIZED CRIMES
An organized crime is a criminal activity by an enduring structure or organization developed and
devoted primarily to the pursuit of profits through illegal means. It is sometimes referred to as the “MOB”,
“MAFIA”, “SYNDICATE”, or the “COSA NOSTRA”, which are known as “the enemy with in”, “the 2nd
government”, “the 5th estate” or the “crime confederation.”
The term Cosa Nostra (literally means “one thing”) or mafia is use to signify organized crimes, and
one of the varieties names for either mob or syndicate. A strict code of conduct governs their behavior called
the “Omerta” – the mafia’s code of secrecy, and informal, unwritten code of organized crime, which demand
silence and loyalty, among other thing, of family members. (Abandinsky, 1991)
Whatever be the name, the organization is known to be formal, with division of labor, with coordination
of activities through rules and codes and with allocation of task in order to achieve illegitimate goals. The
organization seeks profit from crimes and tries to prevent itself from threats, prosecution, and even
punishment from legal authorities.
Criminal organizations keep illegal actions secret, and members communicate by word of mouth,
therefore police will never be able to trace phone calls or letters. Many organized crime operations have legal
CRIM 101, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY Jane P. Cagod, RCrim Page 13 of 16
fronts, such as licensed gambling, building construction, and trash hauling, or which operate in parallel with
and provide cover for drug trafficking, money laundering, prostitution, extortion, murder for hire, hijacking,
fraud, and insider trading. Other criminal operations engage in human trafficking, political corruption, black
marketeering, political violence, racist and religiously motivated violence, terrorism, abduction, prison break
and crimes against humanity.
In order for a criminal organization to prosper, some degree of support is required from the society in
which it lives. Thus, it is often necessary to corrupt some of its respected members, most commonly achieved
through bribery, blackmail, and the establishment of symbiotic relationships with legitimate business. Judicial
and police officers and legislators are especially targeted for control by organized crime via bribes.
Globalization occurs in crime such as much as it does in business. Criminal organizations easily cross
boundaries between countries. This is especially true of organized groups that engage in human trafficking.
The newest growth sectors for organized crime are identity theft and online extortion. These activities
are troubling because they discourage consumers from using the Internet for e-commerce. E-commerce was
supposed to level the playing ground between small and large businesses, but the growth of online organized
crime using the Internet is much harder to trace down for the police( even though they increasingly deploy
cybercops) since police forces and law enforcement agencies in general operate on a national level while
the internet makes it even more simple for criminal organizations to cross boundaries and even to operate
completely remotely.
ORGANIZED CRIME FAMILIES
Perhaps the best known criminal organizations are the Sicilian and American Cosa Nostra, most
commonly known as the Mafia. The Neopolitan Camorra, the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta, and the Apulian Sacra
Corona Unita are similar Italian organized crime groups. Other notable group include the Colombian drug
cartels, the Mexican drug cartels, the Irish Mob, The Japanese Yakusa, the Chinese Triads, the Russian
Mafia, The Mexican Mafia, the Indian mafia, the Bulgarian Mafia, the Chenchen Mafia, the Brazilian Comando
Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), and the Central American Mara Salvatrucha (MS-
13). Prisoners may also be involved in criminal organizations. Many terrorist groups, such as Hezbollah, Al
Qaeda, the Provisional IRA and the Ulster Defense Association also engage in criminal activity such as
trafficking and money laundering as well as terrorism.
World leaders throughout history who have been accused of running their country like a criminal
organization including Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Augusto Pinochet, Idi Amin, Mobutu Sese
Seko, Nicolae Ceausescu, Francisco Franco, Hugo Banzer, Chiang Kai-shek, Slobodan Milosevic, Vladimir
Putin, Silvio Berlusconi, alberto Fujimori ( in league with his advisor Vladimiro Montesimos), senior General
Than Shwe of Burma and various other dictators and military juntas. Corrupt political leaders may have links
to existing organized crime groups, either domestic or international, or else may simply exercise power in a
manner that duplicates the functioning and purpose of organized crime.
In the past criminal organizations have naturally limited themselves by their need to expand. This has
to put them in competition with each other. This competition, often leading to violence, uses valuable resources
such as manpower (either killed or sent to prison), equipment and finances. The Irish Mob boss of the Winter
Hill Gang (in the 1980s) turned informant for the FBI. He used this position to eliminate competition and
consolidate power within the city of Boston which led to the imprisonment of several senior organized crime
figures including Gennaro “Jerry” Anguilo underboss of the Patriarca crime family. Infighting sometimes occurs
within an organization, such as the Castellamarese war of 1930-31 and the Irish Mob Wars of the 1960s and
70s.
Today criminal organizations are increasingly working together, realizing that it is better to work in
cooperation rather than in competition with each other. This has led to the sunrise of global criminal
organizations such as Mara Salvatrucha. The Sicilian Mafia in the U.S. have had links with organized crime
groups in Italy such as the camorra, the ‘Ndrangheta and the Sacra Corona Unita. The Sicilian Mafia has also
been known to work with the Irish Mob (John Gotti of the Gambino family and James Coonan of the Westies
are known to have worked together, with the westies operating as a contract hit squad for the Gambino family
after they helped Coonan come to power), the Japanese Yakusa and the Russian Mafia.
HOW THE ORGANIZED CRIME GROUP WORKS?
For the organization to work there must be:
1. An Enforcer – one who make arrangements for killing and injuring (physically, economically,
psychologically) the members or non- members.
CRIM 101, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY Jane P. Cagod, RCrim Page 14 of 16
2. A Corrupter – one who bribes, buys, intimidates, threatens, negotiates, and “sweet talks” into a relationship
with the police, public officials or any else who might help the members security and maintain immunity from
arrest, prosecution and punishment.
3. A Corruptee – a public official, usually not a member of the organization family, who can wield influence
on behalf of the organization’s interest.
SOURCES OF ILLEGAL PROFIT
The organization gains from the goods and services that are of great demand by the society but are
prohibited by law. It includes but not limited to most victimless crimes such as illegal drugs, alcohol, gambling,
pornography, and including bank fraud, extortion or racketing and others.
Characteristics of Organized Crimes
1. It is a conspiracy activity involving coordination of members.
2. Economic gain is the primary goal.
3. Economic gain is achieved through illegal means.
4. Employs predatory tactics such as intimidations, violence and corruption.
5. Effective control over members, associates, and victims.
6. Organized crimes does not include terrorist dedicated to political change.
Generic Types Of Organized Crimes
1. Political Graft - manned by political criminals (Political Graft), who use of force and violence of a
means to obtain profit or gain, and or achieving political aims or ambitions. An example of this is vote buying,
and the employment of private armies to control a certain political area.
2. The Mercenary/ Predatory Organized Crime – crimes committed by groups for direct personal
profit but prey upon unwilling victims. Examples: Extortionist/ racketeer
3. In – Group Oriented Organized Crime – groups manned by semi organized individual whose
major goals are for psychological gratification such as adolescent gangs. Example: Motorcycle Gangs
4. Syndicate Crime – the organization that participates in illicit activity in society by the use of force,
threat, or intimidation. The group with a formal structure – whose purpose is to provide elicit services, which
are in strong public demand though the use of secrecy on the part of the associates. There is assurance of
protection necessary for its operations though political corruption or avoidance of prosecution.
Essential Compositions of Organized Crimes
Organized crimes need Professional criminals to successfully operates in the organization.
✓ Professional Crimes refers to occupations or their incumbents, which possesses various traits
including useful knowledge that requires lengthy trainings, service orientation and code of ethics that
permits occupations to attempt to obtain autonomy and independence with high prestige and
remuneration.
Characteristics of Professional Crimes (Sutherland)
1. Crime is a sole means of livelihood.
2. Careful Planning, and reliance upon Technical skills and methods.
3. Offenders are of migratory life style.
4. The groups have shared sense of belongingness, rules, codes of behavior, and mutual
specialized language.
Characteristics of Professional Crimes (Quinney)
1. Crimes is a sole means of livelihood or economic gain.
2. There is highly developed criminal career.
3. There is considerable skill involved.
4. Group of professional/ career offender.
5. Hard to detect by authorities/ can be able to avoid imprisonment.
Criminological Types of Organized Crimes
1. Traditional Crime Syndicates.
2. Non – traditional Crime Syndicates
3. Semi – Organized Crime
CRIM 101, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY Jane P. Cagod, RCrim Page 15 of 16
4. Politically Controlled Organized Crime
Controlling Organized Crimes
Organized Crimes can be controlled through:
1. Law Enforcement Effort
2. Organization of Anti- Organized Crime measures
3. Community Awareness and Cooperation.
Philippine Response
The Philippine government has instituted programs and projects to address these threats to national
and international interest and security. It has created the Philippine Center on Transnational Crimes (PCTC)
(E.O No. 62 1999) to establish a shared central database among concerned agencies for information on
criminals, methodologies, arrests, and convictions on transnational crime in all its forms. Apart from this, the
center is mandated to discharge the following:
▪ Supervise and control conduct of anti- transnational crime operations of all government
agencies and instrumentalities:
▪ Establish a central database on national as well as international legislations and
jurisprudence on transnational crime, with the end in view of recommending measures to
strengthen responses and provide immediate intervention for the prevention, detection and
apprehension of criminals operating in the country;
▪ Establish a center for strategic research on the structure and dynamics of transnational crime,
predict trends and analyze relationships of given factors for the formulation of strategies to
combat the same;
▪ Design programs and projects aimed at enhancing national capacity- building in combating
transnational crime, as well as supporting the related programs and projects of other ASEAN
and international centers; and
▪ Explore and coordinate information exchanges and training with other government agencies,
foreign countries and international organizations involved in containing and eliminating
transnational crime.
Executive Order No. 100 s1999
To further strengthens the operational, administrative and information support system of the PCTC,
E.O. No. 100 s1999 empowered the Center to exercise general supervision and control over the following:
▪ Loop Center of the National Action Committee on Anti- Hijacking and Terrorism (NACAHT)
whose primary mission is to assist and support the NACAHT in integrating and orchestrating
the efforts of all law enforcement agencies against international and domestic terrorism;
▪ International Criminal Police Organization ICPO- INTERPOL NCB- Manila which has been
reconstituted to serve as the national liaison office and main coordinating body for
international police cooperation against transnational crime;
▪ Police Attaches of the Philippine National Police (PNP); and
▪ Political Attaches/ Counselors for Security Matters of the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG).
CRIM 101, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY Jane P. Cagod, RCrim Page 16 of 16