Analysis and Threat Assessments

Analysis and threat assessment is a great and key methodology in the intelligence process. As part of the intelligence process, the methodology plays a fundamental role in criminal justice. There are different forms of crime, among them organized crime. Organized crime is deeply entrenched in different parts of the world, and larger crime networks pose a threat to national security. Information that is collected, compiled, analyzed, disseminated, and acted upon to anticipate, prevent, or monitoring criminal activity is referred to as criminal intelligence. Analysis and threat assessment in the context of criminal intelligence is a continuous task because crime or criminals continue to evolve despite the formulation of law and enforcement by the different task force. The phenomenon has conjured different methodologies to guide the process of analysis and threat assessments. One such methodology, as stated by the CISC Integrated Threat Assessment Methodology (2007, p. 8), is the Criminal Group Inventory Matrix. The assessment is based on criminal scope, territory, market, money laundering, and criminal roles. However, there are more factors to consider in regards to improving analysis and threat assessment. Leadership structure plays an important function in the operations and growth of a criminal network (Federal Bureau of Investigations, 2016). Leadership presents divided responsibilities that ensure the success of a criminal entity. Pablo Escobar headed the Medellín cartel in Colombia, and his lieutenants and or partnerships with Ochoa brothers castigated the longevity of the organization. Analysis into the leadership structure was one of the key strategies that helped the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) cripple and finally extinguished the Medellín cartel in 1993 in a shootout where Escobar was killed. The common objective of crime is for financial gain, and criminal organizations will go through different lengths to make money. To establish and run a criminal organization, criminals need resources. These resources are characterized differently depending on the scope and role of the crime network. Resources can range from assets to networks with compromised law enforcers. Analysis of the resources of a criminal organization can help enforcers bring down the criminal faction. For instance, if a criminal faction owns an export/import business at the seaport, it can act as the main entry and exit point for drugs and drug money. If the business is closed, then a big part of their operation is crippled. 

References 

Criminal Intelligence Service Canada. (2007). Integrated Threat Assessment Methodology. CISC Integrated Threat Assessment Methodology, 1, 8. https://www.academia.edu/11847679/CISC_Integrated_Threat_Assessment_Methodology 

Federal Bureau of Investigations. (2016, May 3). Gangs. https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/violent-crime/gangs