ABSTRACT
The authors take the reader through the investigation and prosecution of a hypothetical organized crime group in the United States. The model highlights three recurrent qualities of successful organized crime investigations and prosecutions in the United States. First, the investigation is conducted by an integrated team of investigators and prosecutors. This core of specialized investigators and prosecutors must then expand and work through a, sometimes untrustworthy, group of alliances to get what it needs. Second, the investigation develops in a characteristic pattern: using less intrusive techniques before more intrusive ones; moving from a covert phase to an overt one; and considering larger pools of subjects before narrowing to target individuals. Third, the investigation is carefully planned rather than reactive, integrating and sequencing steps through the charging phase.
