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Networks within networks: using multiple link types to examine network structure and identify key actors in a drug trafficking operation

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  • David A. Bright
  • Catherine Greenhill
  • Alison Ritter
  • Carlo Morselli

Abstract

Understanding criminal networks can aid in the identification of key players and important relationships within the network. We examined multiple, directed link types in a criminal network. Eight distinct link types were identified, each one related to the exchange of a particular resource (e.g. drugs, money). The analyses focused on the eight link-type network layers and a merged network representing links across all eight layers. We were able to determine the link type of around 31% of the links, and found that nearly 50% of the nodes were involved in more than one network layer. This suggests that many actors contribute in multiple, diverse ways to the operation of the network. Actors were found to specialise in the exchange of particular types of resources, and also to specialise in the strategic position they occupied in the transfer of particular resources.

Suggested Citation

  • David A. Bright & Catherine Greenhill & Alison Ritter & Carlo Morselli, 2015. "Networks within networks: using multiple link types to examine network structure and identify key actors in a drug trafficking operation," Global Crime, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(3), pages 219-237, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:fglcxx:v:16:y:2015:i:3:p:219-237
    DOI: 10.1080/17440572.2015.1039164
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Giulia Berlusconi, 2013. "Do all the pieces matter? Assessing the reliability of law enforcement data sources for the network analysis of wire taps," Global Crime, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(1), pages 61-81, February.
    2. David A. Bright & Jordan J. Delaney, 2013. "Evolution of a drug trafficking network: Mapping changes in network structure and function across time," Global Crime, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(2-3), pages 238-260, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Annamaria Ficara & Giacomo Fiumara & Salvatore Catanese & Pasquale De Meo & Xiaoyang Liu, 2022. "The Whole Is Greater than the Sum of the Parts: A Multilayer Approach on Criminal Networks," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-21, April.

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