A framework for the quantification of organized crime and assessment of availability a quality of relevant data in three selected countries of Latin America and the Caribbean

Measuring Organized Crime (OC) is a challenge that policy makers and law enforcement agencies have to face. Enhancing knowledge on Organized Crime is central for taking effective measures and reducing its human, social and economic consequences. This can be particularly important for Latin American and Caribbean countries, since most of them are affected by serious problems caused by OC. The aim of this paper is to suggest indicators for measuring OC and assess the current availability of data related to specific indicators of the region. First, the concept of OC has been divided into five dimensions (groups, activities, state response, enablers and civil society response) and related sub-dimensions. Then, for each of them a set of indicators is suggested. The resulting list should orient data collection, explaining what information is required for counteracting actions, and act as a road map for improving the quality and caliber of data. Starting from this framework, each country, according to its priorities and resources, can develop its own road map for data collection. In the last part of the paper, a pilot study conducted to assess the availability of the suggested indicators within three Latin American and Caribbean states (Mexico, Colombia and Dominican Republic) is presented.