Understanding Criminal Networks is a short methodological primer for those interested in studying illicit, deviant, covert, or criminal networks using social network analysis (SNA). Accessibly written by Gisela Bichler, a leading expert in SNA for dark networks, the book is chock-full of graphics, checklists, software tips, step-by-step guidance, and straightforward advice. Covering all the essentials, each chapter highlights three themes: the theoretical basis of networked criminology, methodological issues and useful analytic tools, and producing professional analysis. Unlike any other book on the market, the book combines conceptual and empirical work with advice on designing networking studies, collecting data, and analysis. Relevant, practical, theoretical, and methodologically innovative, Understanding Criminal Networks promises to jumpstart readers’ understanding of how to cross over from conventional investigations of crime to the study of criminal networks.
Gisela Bichler is Professor of Criminal Justice at California State University, San Bernardino.
"The book teaches us how to think in terms of networks, conceptual networks, gather data on networks, measure networks, map networks, and analyze networks. In short, it’s a complete study."—Carlo Morselli, author of Inside Criminal Networks
"Serves as a guide for designing network studies, interpreting results, and presenting them to the world. A must-read for current and new network scholars."—Martin Bouchard, Crime and Illicit Networks Laboratory, Simon Fraser University
272 pp.
9780520297043$95.00|£80.00Hardcover
Sep 2019