22-24 October 2024, Ostia (Italy)

Summary

In the contemporary world, organised crime is an omnipresent threat, causing constant security challenges across the globe and affecting an immeasurable number of victims. Due to economic globalisation and rapid technological advancements, criminal networks can expand their reach, deepen their influence, and diversify their activities.

Criminology has extensively studied various forms of organised crime, i.e. Transnational Organised Crime Structures, Organised Crime Groups, Gangs, Terrorist Groups, (poly-) criminal Networks, etc., and how such groups operate and differ from one another. Criminal networks have been the subject of scientific research for decades. The scientific community discussed the taxonomy of criminal networks, drawing on specific characteristics, such as the networks’ aspects, as well as organisation structures. For example, Sergi (2017) described the interconnection between “mafia-type groups, its poly-dimensional characteristics”. Hobbs (1998), Sergi and Lavorgna (2016) referred to the “global phenomena” characteristics while the effective, symbolic and subjective powers, as well as their uncovered and hidden attributes have also been researched, depending on specific criminal realities.

The EU Drugs Strategy 2021-2025 and the EU Strategy to tackle Organised Crime 2021-2025 highlight the importance of initiatives and actions disrupting drug trafficking and high-risk criminal networks. The latest European Union Serious and Organised Crime Assessment (SOCTA) 2021, prepared and published by Europol, underlines that the sophistication of the modus operandi of organised crime active in the EU, as well as the capacity to adapt quickly and exploit innovations and technologies for criminal purposes, are evolving.

The social and economic impact of organised crime is growing, together with its influence on the legal economy and public administration; thus, raising awareness is key. Criminal networks engage in corruption to reinforce their influence in the spheres of economy and public administration, undermining democratic institutions and eroding the rule of law. Furthermore, criminal networks are increasingly involved in various forms of crime, such as drug trafficking, money laundering, firearms and human trafficking, organised property crime, distinct types of fraud, including the sale of counterfeit documents and goods, and more. These criminal activities can lead to increased violence and crime rates, particularly in areas where organised crime is prevalent. There might even be links between organised crime and terrorism, which can result in mass casualties and severe damage to the society's infrastructure.

The EU SOCTA 2021 identifies that high-risk criminal networks operating in the EU are typically characterised by a poly-criminal nature, including corruption, money laundering and firearms use.

The scientific achievements have fostered the criminal justice response strategies to deal with such threats, re-feeding the academic research around new crime trends. One of the key EU initiatives in this context is the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT), which, during its cycle 2022-2025, prioritises the fight against high-risk criminal networks, among other crime areas. EMPACT combines the efforts of all concerned stakeholders in fighting organised crime and fosters the development of a wide range of actions, from law enforcement interventions through prevention activities, to cooperation with external partners, among others. The EU Strategic Training Needs Assessment (EU-STNA) 2022-2025 confirms the need for intensified training efforts in tackling high-risk criminal networks, with particular emphasis on upskilling law enforcement officials on the structure and operation of criminal networks, the identification of high value targets, criminal finances and information sharing.

While scientific research has been assisting the development of response strategies to tackle such threats, an assessment of operational experience could support recent scientific progress and training delivery, contributing directly to the success of criminal investigations. In this respect, bringing together academics, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and experts from different fields can trigger discussions and facilitate knowledge sharing on the complexities, differentiations, specificities, and characteristics of high-risk criminal networks. It can also help improve actions towards their prevention and repression.

Objective

The objective of this conference is to facilitate scientific conversations by looking at trends, challenges, leading practices, and opportunities to disrupt and dismantle high-risk criminal networks, as an EMPACT priority, and contribute to the concerted operational response of the EU. Also, to enhance the training and capacity building effectiveness in this field.

The conference aims to bring together leading experts, academics, researchers, and practitioners from various fields (criminology, criminalistics, sociology, psychology, engineering, informatics, economics, law, and political science, etc.) offering exclusive insights from an empirical point of view. Sessions will include a separate section with journalists and panel discussions with law enforcement professionals, judges, prosecutors, criminology journalists, NGOs and victims of crimes. It also aims to bring together public and private sector representatives (from high-tech companies), while an editorial group exhibition will be organised.

During the conference, participants will be able to share their insights and experiences, discuss novel approaches and strategies, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

The shared knowledge can significantly strengthen the effectiveness of the multidisciplinary collaboration against high-risk criminal networks at political, judicial and law enforcement level, and enhance the learning strategies for the CEPOL community.

You can enter proposals until 2024-05-31 17:20 (Europe/Budapest), 2 weeks from now.