Call for Papers: Interviewing “Organized Criminals”

Invitation to contribute to a special issue of TRENDS IN ORGANIZED CRIME: Interviewing “Organized Criminals”
(revised: 20061218)

While in the past research on organized crime has primarily relied on official and journalistic sources, more and more studies prove that direct access to ‘organized criminals’ is possible. The purpose of this special issue is to give readers an idea of the difficulties and possibilities of conducting offender interviews in the area of organized crime and to provide a basis for answering questions like: Are offender interviews more valid and reliable than other data sources? Can interview-based research on organized crime be planned and replicated, or does it always depend on uniquely fortunate circumstances? Are interviews with ‘organized criminals’ dangerous; and if so, for whom? Are there significant differences between interviewing incarcerated and non-incarcerated offenders?

Researchers who have interviewed offenders associated with activities or structures commonly labeled ‘organized crime’, (whether incarcerated, in witness protection programs or on the street, whether active or retired,) are invited to share their experiences and views. Manuscripts must conform to APA style and should stay within the range of between 2,000 and
5,000 words.

Please submit manuscripts in electronic form (MS Word, RTF) by e-mail to Klaus von Lampe (editor@trends-in-organized-crime.net) no later than 15 April 2007.