CMY3702 ASSIGNMENT 1 2026
DUE 14 AUGUST 2026
QUESTION 1
Provide an in-depth exposition of the characteristics and categories of organised
crime.
Characteristics and Categories of Organised Crime
Organised crime is a major problem that affects countries all over the world. It is not just
a local issue but an international phenomenon that causes serious harm to the
economy and society. Criminal groups work together like businesses, with the main
goal of making money from illegal activities. These groups are complex because they
often mix legal and illegal activities. For example, a criminal organisation might run a
legitimate business on the side to hide their illegal profits. This makes it very hard for
the police to catch them. Organised crime costs society a lot of money, not just from the
crimes themselves but also from the cost of trying to stop them. Criminologists study
organised crime because it is such a big threat to the social, political, and economic
well-being of countries (CMY3702 Study Guide, Study Unit 2, p. 32).
, Characteristics of Organised Crime
According to the study guide, which uses the work of Glick (1995), Reid (1997), and
Lyman and Potter (2004), there are several key characteristics that define organised
crime. These features help us understand how these groups work and why they are so
hard to stop.
The first characteristic is organisational continuity. This means that organised crime
groups are designed to last for a long time. They make sure that they will survive even if
their leaders are arrested, sent to prison, or killed. This is why they are called self-
perpetuating. The group does not depend on one person. They also change their
activities to take advantage of new opportunities. For instance, if one type of crime
becomes too risky or stops making money, they will simply switch to another crime that
is more profitable. This ability to adapt makes them very resilient (CMY3702 Study
Guide, Study Unit 2, p. 42).
The second characteristic is a hierarchical structure. This means that organised crime
groups have a clear chain of command, just like a business or the military. There is a
leader at the top who gives orders, and then there are different levels of members
below. Some groups, like the Mafia, are made up of different "families" or chapters.
Each family has its own leader, but they all report to a main group of leaders called a
commission. This structure helps the group stay organised and makes sure that orders
are followed. The leaders make the big decisions, and the lower members carry out the
tasks (CMY3702 Study Guide, Study Unit 2, p. 42).
The third characteristic is restricted or exclusive membership. You cannot just walk into
an organised crime group and join. Members must prove themselves first. They have to
DUE 14 AUGUST 2026
QUESTION 1
Provide an in-depth exposition of the characteristics and categories of organised
crime.
Characteristics and Categories of Organised Crime
Organised crime is a major problem that affects countries all over the world. It is not just
a local issue but an international phenomenon that causes serious harm to the
economy and society. Criminal groups work together like businesses, with the main
goal of making money from illegal activities. These groups are complex because they
often mix legal and illegal activities. For example, a criminal organisation might run a
legitimate business on the side to hide their illegal profits. This makes it very hard for
the police to catch them. Organised crime costs society a lot of money, not just from the
crimes themselves but also from the cost of trying to stop them. Criminologists study
organised crime because it is such a big threat to the social, political, and economic
well-being of countries (CMY3702 Study Guide, Study Unit 2, p. 32).
, Characteristics of Organised Crime
According to the study guide, which uses the work of Glick (1995), Reid (1997), and
Lyman and Potter (2004), there are several key characteristics that define organised
crime. These features help us understand how these groups work and why they are so
hard to stop.
The first characteristic is organisational continuity. This means that organised crime
groups are designed to last for a long time. They make sure that they will survive even if
their leaders are arrested, sent to prison, or killed. This is why they are called self-
perpetuating. The group does not depend on one person. They also change their
activities to take advantage of new opportunities. For instance, if one type of crime
becomes too risky or stops making money, they will simply switch to another crime that
is more profitable. This ability to adapt makes them very resilient (CMY3702 Study
Guide, Study Unit 2, p. 42).
The second characteristic is a hierarchical structure. This means that organised crime
groups have a clear chain of command, just like a business or the military. There is a
leader at the top who gives orders, and then there are different levels of members
below. Some groups, like the Mafia, are made up of different "families" or chapters.
Each family has its own leader, but they all report to a main group of leaders called a
commission. This structure helps the group stay organised and makes sure that orders
are followed. The leaders make the big decisions, and the lower members carry out the
tasks (CMY3702 Study Guide, Study Unit 2, p. 42).
The third characteristic is restricted or exclusive membership. You cannot just walk into
an organised crime group and join. Members must prove themselves first. They have to
