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The HIM e-Connect Tool is a self-tuition tool using new generation methods for lie, deception detection and critical situational interviewing.

Note:The users obtain HIM e-Connect Tool Access (Year) containing the Viewable and Printable Security and Criminology Investigation Management (Vol 4) plus the Manuscript Critical Thinking the X Factor in Criminology, Security and Risk (Vol 3) and other guidance articles (Critical Infrastructure, CPO, Prisons, Silent Victims,etc). 

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Organised Crime – The Hidden Chimera

By Jean-Pierre Roux Criminologist

BSocSc, BSocSc Hons, MPhil Criminal Justice (UCT)

Member of American Society of Criminology (#25014)

”This handbook is not another opinion piece meant to appease practitioners, but rather to challenge them to improve their skill-set. That is what makes SCIM cutting-edge, and it sets a new industry standard”

The SCIM course provides a useful tool when envisioning and examining organised crime that has been occurring in a given context. Breaking down organised crime into an organism as blend between lizard, octopus, and jellyfish allows one to systematically investigate the key aspects that constitute it. This aids in identifying and comprehending the over-all situation; one’s position within the situation; and the implications of all decision-making and strategy implementation. Rather than tackling the problem in a pin-ball fashion, the tools provide one for a well-constructed game plan and means of testing and re-testing strategies in order to implement the most effective solution-set.

Solutions-based handbook

The SCIM course does not simply identify issues or create a sense of fear within the industry as to the pervasiveness of organised crime or critique organised crime sitting at an armchair. Instead, the discussion of organised crime is a literature review, offering facts from key sources such as UNODC and OECD, which serves as an introduction to the tools and solutions that are on offer. Each is broken down into the absolute basic components and solutions offered per component. It is a well systematised and structured handbook for any level of practitioner to understand and apply.

Bridging criminology and security

SCIM highlights a serious issue that is occurring in the crime fighting industry. Namely, the conflation between criminology and security. These two terms are incorrectly being used interchangeably when referring to strategies to combat crime and insecurity, often without the use of a proper definition. Breaking them down into proactive and reactive strategies as well as their foundational trend. Criminology has existed in the crime fighting reactive aspect often attached the public policing as well as academic study of the term.

With academia criminology has turned into a game to identify the perfect theory of explaining crime in the hopes that once the perfect theory is identified, that one can then squash it. Yet there are numerous theories each adding different weight to aspects such as environmental and individual.

From public policing, there is a lack of proactive strategies. While there are gains in intelligence-led policing, it is the private sector that dominates in crime prevention. Problem-orientated policing is a great example of proactive and reactive policing strategies, but is better suited for sophisticated private security operations.

By correctly creating the distinction, we can begin to build up a repertoire and understanding for both security and criminology and each of their strengths and weaknesses. Instead of criticising and rejecting the one, the course brings them together in an organic way, pointing out how each can assist us in achieving our goals.

No holds bared

As it typical of HIM discussions, no punches are pulled when it comes to criticism and stating what is required. Certain aspects of security are critiqued, and warnings are offered. It also provides a tool for self-examination and whether one is capable of handling organised crime and thus whether they are fit to be in the crime solving industry. This may be hard for some to read and process, who have built a career in the industry and spent decades dealing with crime. But all practitioners should be self-aware of their limitations and be prepared to ask themselves whether they are able to effectively apply the principles necessary to combat organised crime.

Dull blades cannot cut it and this course clearly outlines what is required from practitioners to sharpen their skills or to admit that they are blunt instruments. This handbook is not another opinion piece meant to appease practitioners, but rather to challenge them to improve their skill-set. That is what makes SCIM cutting-edge, and it sets a new industry standard.

Reviews

By Lawrence J. Fennelly

To all security managers I say, “it’s a must read”.

I read this text with great understanding of the topic and totally enjoyed the content, now take page 17 where the author discusses, “Reading the Target and Reading the people involved in Target”.  You have to think Outside the Box as you are going forward with your Investigations. I have read several articles by Juan Kirsten on the topic of “Critical Thinking” and I believe he is right on the mark.  In this work he states the “Security Managers must be aware of all types of Crime and Crime Methods”. I agree, and I feel also that Security Managers need to also be proactive in their thinking and reduce criminal opportunity by target hardening for all crimes.

Security and Custody of Evidence: I was happy to see this section included in this paper, because you don’t want to be working a case for weeks on end, sometimes day and night, only to lose your case in court on a technicality. Kirsten’s paper needs to be read several times and studied. He should be commended for his hard work as an author and practitioner.

An internationally recognized authority on crime prevention, Lawrence Fennelly is an authority on security planning and analysis, the study of how environmental factors contribute to criminal victimization (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, or CPTED.As a keynote speaker and lecturer on CPTED, Mr. Fennelly travelled to Australia with Tim Crowe (author of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design—revised by Mr. Fennelly in 2013), to talk on Physical Security, Crime in U.S. High Schools and K-12, and various security issues.

In 2015, Lawrence J. Fennelly was the recipient of the prestigious President’s Award by ASIS:

“You are being recognized with this award for many years of encouraging and mentoring security professionals as potential writers and authors, especially women and young professionals.  These efforts, as well as your own publications, have positively affected the security Body of Knowledge. Your vision and work toward an annual Security Book of the Year Award was fulfilled with the 2014 inaugural award and this year’s second one.”

International Foundations for Protection Officers – CPOI & CSSM Certifications.  Appointed to Board of Directors, 1998 (five-year position).   Elected back on the Board, 2016.

By Orlando ‘’Andy’’ Wilson

With the spread of international organized crime this book is relevant whether you are working in Beijing, Bogota or Birmingham!

In Security and Criminology Investigation Management, Mr. Kirsten has highlighted some issues that are often ignored in the vast majority of works that claim to cover the investigation of organized crimes, especially from a corporate security and investigation angle.

Mr. Kirsten has made it clear that the threats from organized crime are multi-dimensional and can affect all the sectors of corporate entity, at all levels and the need for today’s security and investigation managers to be open minded and to understand how the criminals they are facing think and operate.

I like the fact Mr. Kirsten details the cultural and ethnic aspects that need to be considered and managed. We live in a multi-cultural world and effective investigators cannot be ignorant of other’s beliefs, traditions or experience, however alien it is to their own background and culture. Sadly, many books on corporate security and investigations do not emphasis the need for those managing projects to have a neutral and unbiased mindset, this book high-lights this aspect clearly.

For those involved in corporate security and investigation management this book will open your mind to a fluid way of thinking and gives you a path to follow for your future projects and taskings.

Orlando “Andy” Wilson has worked in the security industry internationally for over 30 years. He has become accustomed to the types of complications that can occur, when dealing with international law enforcement agencies, organized criminal and Mafia groups.

He is a licensed private investigator, the chief consultant for Risks Incorporated and a published author, writer, photographer and has been interviewed by numerous international TV and media outlets on topics ranging from kidnapping, organized crime to maritime piracy.

By Errol Peace

This is an exciting new approach to the investigation of crime, and very importantly to discovery of criminal activities.

After being involved in various investigations over the past thirty- two years and having had the opportunity to have read through the Security and Criminology Investigation Management book which focuses on a wide range of investigative principles and techniques, it has become very obvious and apparent that the success that I achieved was through pure providence and luck. Kirsten’s book opens an exciting new approach to the investigation of crime, and very importantly to discovery of criminal activities.

This fresh look at what is happening around us and very often under our noses, with regard to organised crime will assist the security practitioner to become much more aware of their roles and responsibilities to the overall loss prevention programme.

The average investigator looks at the surface and compiles a portfolio on what is uncovered or obtained from perpetrators and witnesses. Looking and digging deeper using the techniques shared in critical thinking situational awareness using specific skill-sets will allow the investigator to gain more accurate and reliable information from all interviews, perpetrators and witness alike.

I would encourage that all security practitioners and especially those who are involved in investigations, read and familiarise themselves with the techniques and principles contained in Kirsten’s book. The research, facts and information will definitely enhance the knowledge and capabilities of the security investigation manager

Errol Peace

F.I.S (SA);    MSyI (UK);    CFE (USA);   AISM (INDIA);   IIPS (NIGERIA);    TechM Saiosh (SA)

Errol Peace is a Fellow of the South African Institute of Security and the immediate past Chairman of the Board of Governors, a Certified Fraud Examiner of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, USA, a member of the British Security Institute and an associate member of the International Institute of Security & Safety Management and a technical member of the South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Practitioners. He served on the Special Events and Armed Robbery Survival Skills task team of the Security SGB, an Assessor and Moderator for the SASSETA and a Course Developer and Trainer