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Covert Network Construction, Disruption, and Resilience: A Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Annamaria Ficara

    (Department of Mathematical and Computer Science, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy)

  • Francesco Curreri

    (Department of Mathematical and Computer Science, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
    Department of Mathematics and Informatics, University of Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy)

  • Giacomo Fiumara

    (Department of Mathematical and Computer Science, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy)

  • Pasquale De Meo

    (Department of Ancient and Modern Civilizations, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy)

  • Antonio Liotta

    (Faculty of Computer Science, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

Abstract
Covert networks refer to criminal organizations that operate outside the boundaries of the law; they can be mainly classified as terrorist networks and criminal networks. We consider how Social Network Analysis (SNA) is used to analyze such networks in order to attain a greater knowledge of criminal behavior. In fact, SNA allows examining the network structure and functioning by computing relevant metrics and parameters to identify roles, positions, features, and other network functioning that are not otherwise easily discovered at first glance. This is why Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) are showing growing interest in SNA, which is also used to identify weak spots and disrupt criminal groups. This paper provides a literature review and a classification of methods and real-case applications of disruption techniques. It considers covert network adaptability to such dismantling attempts, herein referred to as resilience. Critical problems of SNA in criminal studies are discussed, including data collection techniques and the inevitable incompleteness and biases of real-world datasets, with the aim of promoting a new research stream for both dismantling techniques and data collection issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Annamaria Ficara & Francesco Curreri & Giacomo Fiumara & Pasquale De Meo & Antonio Liotta, 2022. "Covert Network Construction, Disruption, and Resilience: A Survey," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(16), pages 1-43, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jmathe:v:10:y:2022:i:16:p:2929-:d:888073
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    References listed on IDEAS

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