Criminology

There has-been a long debate on the topic of racial justice or discrimination by the arm of justice. For Many years, the justice arm of government has been predominantly manned by one race which has been therefore involved in the decision making. The situation is quite different today. The court system is today portraying a more diversified team in its leadership, but there are still more outcry from different groups. Race still plays an important role in the criminal justice course and outcome. The issues ranges from traffic harassment by police officers to a more inhumane act of framing individuals in death penalty cases based on the racial identities. Sentencing is one area where race plays a vital role (Kasal, 2005).

The issue has come under much scrutiny because under the law, all persons should enjoy same treatment irrespective of their race. Although the situation unlike  five decades ago when blacks and white Americans were being treated differently by those entrusted with enforcing the law, there are different factors today that work in tandem to determine the course and outcome of a case.

Studies have been conducted to get the seriousness and frequency in which race determines the outcome of sentences as well as under what factors it flourish. In the general outcome of these studies, it has been found that in most death penalty cases, a person would most likely get a death sentence if heshe is black when the death victim is white. Another outcome of these studies showed that minority defendants, in this case blacks or Latinos, would mostly like get a death penalty (Spohn, 2000).

In this studies, it is worthy to note that they have been primarily dealing with the processes and outcomes of sentences while forgetting other vital factors that are far more important in the justice system. The nature and the type enforcement received by offenders, the frequency of application of parole to different races or groups as well as the frequency of resentencing. These factors would provide a more elaborate picture of the justice system and the racially motivated sentencing.

It is therefore important to discuss these different situations in order to establish how race motivate sentences. In his publication of the sentencing project, Kusal (2005) reviewed research literature of the past 20 years on racial discrimination in sentencing. He compiled his finding in 6 issue areas. One of the issue areas he said involves direct racial biasness. According to his study, direct discrimination is more evidenced at the federal courts as compared to the state courts. The blacks would be likely discriminated in their sentence duration especially at the federal level. The Latinos on the other hand would be disadvantaged when it comes to the decision of incarceration at the federal level. Both minorities would most likely be discriminated against at the state level when it comes to incarceration or otherwise.

Under the issue area two, he looked at the interaction of race with other offenders characteristics. His key findings showed that young blacks together with Latino males would attract a more severe penalty than white males with the same offence. The severity of the sentence would be great where one is an unemployed black male as compared to the white unemployed male facing the same trial (Kusal, 2005).

It has been found that whites would get a reduction in sentence as compared to blacks and Latinos when they are considered to provide assistance in the prosecution process. The study also shows that whites with worst criminal past records would attract a lesser sentence comparable to their black and Latino counterparts. As Spohn (2000) explains, another factor that contributes to the disparity in sentences among races is the fact most whites are likely to employ the services of a private attorney. This would be rare in cases involving blacks and Latinos who subsequently would get severe penalties. Sometime, the blacks are put in jail awaiting trials. In the end, they serve more time in jail as when they serve their sentences.

There has been a sharp contrast in the sentences meted out when the race of the offender and that of the victim comes into contact. According to Payne (1997), the black offenders whose victims are whites would get harsher sentences than blacks who harm other blacks. Whites victimizing fellow whites would attract even lesser sentences.

Studies have shown that there is a correlation between the racial discrimination in sentencing and the nature of the crime committed. While blacks and Latinos would be severely punished for low-level felony like stealing of properties, whites would receive lesser sentences (Spohn, 2000). The story is the same when the crime is high-level. The whites would receive a lighter penalty as compared to their blacks and Latino counterparts.

Studies that have analyzed the disparity that exist in capital punishment in the U.S. have shown that one is likely to die if heshe is black or Latino while the victim is white. Evidence also shows that minorities are likely to face death penalty in the hands of the federal governments as opposed to the white defendants (Payne, 1997).

Conclusion
There is need to eliminate the racial disparity in the dispensation of justice. This would ensure that there is justice for all including the offenders. It would also treat each other equal as is promised in the law.

The spectrums of indicatorsare observed as a threat assessment for people, security management and for the overall safety of the building such as a shopping mall. The factors of threat assessment are monitored through the facilities of the shopping malls such as elevator and escalator system, malls underground transportation system, electrical system, fire alarm system, exit areas, non-availability of fire extinguisher and first aid kits and so on.

It is the responsibility of the security management of the shopping malls to analyze, indicate and renovate or streamline the functioning of all threat assessing components in order to avoid such recurrence in future for the convenience of people as well as for the better safety of a building.

Introduction Managing Buildings Safety
The management functions for the safety of a building should be undertaken carefully and perceived equally like the aspects of business operation. The management is solely responsible and accountable for the security of the building. An effective safetysystem can be regularized through a spectrum of management techniques which could be practiced and implemented by means of strategic planning and development approach. The essential factor is the identification of major problem such as hazards and its effective control over the weak areas and eventually, its prevention from recurrence.

In short, the building safety can be enhanced in a number of ways which should include
Managements commitment towards safety policy
Hazards evaluation and identification
Hazards prevention and control
Training
Management Principles for Buildings Safety
The following basic principles should be adhered by the safety management for the better security of the building
Buildings safety is the responsibility of the management.
Buildings safety conditionsresults due toinefficient management techniques.
The involvement of supervisor and workers play a crucial role in the constructive performance and safety of a building.

The safety of building is not a quickly evolving and dynamic element therefore, itshould normally evolve in business from hand to hand.

An effective safety program should be accounted through the first line managers who will be responsible for overall functioning of the program.

The safety of building can be ensured through the analysis, identification and resolution of hazards (problems and weak areas).

Managements philosophy, procedures, policies and actions regardingthe safety of buildingmust not involve workers intosituation which will deter themto practicesafety procedures at higher levels, in addition to their primary scheduled works.

The safety proceduresshould be effectively and efficiently used in order to maintain the security of a building.

Numerous Ways for Improving the Buildings Safety
The following are a number of ways through which the safety ofa building could be improved and made safer

General Safety and Perception A key principle in the managements formalization for betterpremises is the safety program. It is realized that safety program whichis initiated in writing is just a deterrent to productivity, formal paper work, and just a bureaucratic way of regulating safety of the building yet, it is too periodically felt that written information and datain the premisesare much helpful in implementing and developingsafety program. However, there is a need of some officials to be deployed on several public areas for the assistance of people and perception of sensitive locations where heavy machineries and scientific equipments may be installed for the operational functioning of a building.

Elevator Renovation Elevator plays a crucial role in the structural management of a building. It facilitates as a means of traveling in the shopping mall from ground to floor and floor to ground and so on. Itis usually observed and criticized by some of the visitors regarding the amazing shocks (strong movements) inside the elevator surroundings which force people to move and fall drastically over one another. It could not be realized as to whatis the reason for such occurrence however, there is a need of inspection, identification of issue which could be hazardous for human lives.Consequently, the renovation of elevator is too necessary for thebetter safety of a building.

Electrical Safety The electrical hazards can easily be spotted incase of uncovered electrical wires (without adjustable equipments). Surprisingly, at the corner side of some shopping malls, little extension cords generally lies which are not found in good shape and runs through a rug. Although, heat is dissipated by an extension cord but, incase of rug-covered extension cords, the heat can result in a fire that could be hazardous for human lives and buildings safety, therefore, the following electrical safety reminders should be directed to the electricians for proper maintenance

Extension cords should be powerful enough to hold the plugged in equipment.
Shape of the extension cords should be good sounding and reliable to work on.
Frayed or worn cords should be replaced immediately.

Underground Transportation System There is generally built an underground transportation system under the big shopping malls. The pass by road is structurally built in a good condition but still, there are some issues which arise from the darkness and busy traffic that is occurred regularly on routine basis. Therefore, the management of the shopping malls is required to instigate a concrete plan for the improvement of transportation system which will be very beneficial for the safety of building because the road accidents can too cause great damage to the premises or the base of a building.

Fire Extinguishers and First Aid Kits The healthcare is the right of every human being which should be maintained everywhere at higher standards. The shopping malls comprise of elevators, escalators, glass windows, heavy equipments, overloaded stock of goods and many other indicators which could result in injury or emergency situation or certainly can result in fire due to overloading of electric powers or due to failing of extension cords thus, fire extinguishers and first aid kits become necessary to be placed on certain public places in the shopping malls in order to exercise immediate treatment for saving the lives of human beings and maintaining the better security of a building which may be risky due to fire.

Fire Alarm System The shopping malls comprise of heavy machineries and scientific equipments which are generally used to facilitate visitors. Fire Alarm System identifies the threat of dangerous fires through the clouds (smokes) which helps the security management in protecting the human lives and securing the building. Although, there have been installed some fire alarm systems but still, there is a need to position some more fire alarm system in public areas where dining is being carried out as many people use to smoke cigarettes routinely which can accidentally cause fire in such areas.

Exit Areas There is usually seen one or two entrance and exit areas in the shopping malls. As the shopping mallsare compounded by numerous people and there can too occur an emergency for some people or may be for all due to serious occurrence of emergency in the shopping malls due to fire, therefore, it becomes necessary to allocate some more exit areas on the adjustment sides of publicplaces for the flexibility and convenience of people. This will too be helpful for the security management to pass by in their personal or official emergencies.

Scanning Machines Terrorist Attacks are the most devastating and horrible confrontation which can cause any premises seriously by turning and collapsing a whole building into heap of wreckage. The great historical example is the worlds most shocking incident which occurred on September 11, 2001 at World Trade Centre in the United States of America which was the worlds dominant business centre. There have also occurred such other incidents in the world and, can occur again in future anywhere, therefore, every shopping mall should have a digitally computerized scanning machine system that may be able to detect atomic threatening weapons that are likely to be harmful for the people as well as for the entire building. This system will surely be helpful for the management in maintaining the security of building save and sound.

Conclusion
In view of above, it is recommended to renovate and streamline all the indicators of threat assessment for the better security of human lives and for the overall safety of a building such as a shopping mall. The executive and security managements are required to conduct routine analysis which will help them in identifying the hazards and will surely direct them to control, prevent and streamline the safety of a building even much better and secure.

Criminalistics together with forensic science have come to form an important part in collection of evidence in criminal justice investigation. This is because of the accuracy and the methods that are used in collection of evidence. Although, they form an important part of evidence collection, other types cannot be ignored such as individual witnesses testifying in court. This paper is going to look at some of the methods used in forensic evidence collection and their impact on criminal justice administration.

Forensic science is the use of a wide range of science information to answer questions of concern in a court or civil case. This could involve a crime or a civil action against an individual. It involves generally accepted scientific methods and norms under which facts related to an event, artifact or any other physical item are proven to be true or false.

In ancient periods, there were no consistent ways in which evidence could be collected and this helped criminals in avoiding punishment. Investigations largely relied on confessions which in most cases were forced together with testimonies from witnesses (Turvey, 2002). In roman times, criminal charges used to be presented before a panel of people in which both the accuser and the accused could tell their side of the story about a case after which they could be charged based on their argument and delivery (Testifying for a Murder Trial, 2006).

The first cases that involved the use of entomology together with medicine to resolve criminal cases were written by Song Ci in his book titled His Duan Yu which means (washing away of wrongs). It gives an account of how a certain investigator helped solve a murder case in which a sickle was used. The investigator ordered all the people around there to present their sickles in an open space. Because of the smell of blood on the sickle that was used in the murder, the flies gathered on it. This prompted the owner of the sickle to admit to have killed the victim. The investigator settled on a sickle after numerous experiments on an animal caucus using different blades to make wounds and comparing it to the wound on the victim (Evans, 2004).

Because of the importance of justice in the society, people who commit an offence should be found and be prosecuted. This is the only way through which future crimes can be prevented. When serious crimes such as murder have occurred, proving if a suspect is innocent or guilt is essential in determining if they will be prosecuted or they will be set free. An individual may have committed crime but because of lack of substantial evidence that will link the suspect to the crime, heshe may be acquitted for lack of evidence (Radzinowicz, 1962).

Because of the need to gather substantial evidence that can be used in court without fear of rejection, the need for a scientific and more accurate way of evidence collection has arose. Forensic has enabled collection of crucial evidence that has helped in solving some of the crimes that could not have been solved using traditional methods of crime investigation. The evidence collected is used to link a suspect to a given crime. Some of the samples that are collected for forensic examination from a scene of crime include blood stains or any other fluid that can be found on the victims body, finger prints, spent cartilages, foot prints, broken, glasses and any other thing that can provide evidence such as weapons that may have been left at the scene (Horswell, 2004).

Through the help of forensic science, samples recovered from a scene of crime have been able to be successfully linked to a given suspect in a particular crime providing a basis for prosecution. Gathering of evidence has been made possible through the use of various forensic techniques some of which include Forensic DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) analysis. Through DNA analysis, samples collected from the scene of crime or the victims body such as hair and blood stain can be able to be analyzed using complex techniques such as mass spectrometry enabling precise identification of fluids collected from the crime scene. DNA profiling is also used to match information acquired from a crime scene with suspect samples.

Forensic entomology it involves the study of insects that are found on and around the remains. This helps in determining the time and the location of the remains at the time of death. It can also be used to determine if the body was moved from the original scene where the crime was committed something which was difficult using the old methods (Sachs, 2001).

Forensic geology it is concerned with the study of evidence recovered from the soil such as foot print, it also deals with minerals and petroleum products. This can help in determining what was used in committing a crime like in the case of fire if the fire was caused by a petroleum product or an electrical fault. In other cases that involve bombs, residues recovered can be able to indicate the type of bomb that was used in committing the crime and as a result, the source of that bomb can be traced and suspects apprehended and,

Forensic pathology this applies the principles of medicine together with pathology in determining the cause of deathinjury in situations involving legal proceedings. For example if a patient who had no serious illness signs when heshe was brought to hospital and then after receiving treatment, the patient dies suddenly. Forensic pathology can help produce evidence of what caused the death and if it was out of the doctors negligence, the evidence can be produced in court and the doctor prosecuted (Henry, 2004). 

Compared to the traditional methods of investigation, forensic investigation has provided a better and accurate way of crime analysis. This is because of the techniques that it has invented such as DNA analysis which are able to use genetic information to link a particular suspect to a given crime. DNA can also be analyzed in cases involving paternity disputes where by it can be used to determine the real father of a child something which could not be possible with the traditional methods of investigation (Zonderman, 1999).

Through digital forensics, data such as video or recorded conversations can be recovered from these storage media and used as evidence in court. This could be more liable compared to the old techniques that involved witnesses testifying before court as one can be able to testify at the same time prove the same through the information retrieved. Some of the media devices which can be used include CCTV cameras which are fitted at strategic places and record all activities taking place in a given location. In cases of robbery, videos of suspect can be retrieved from the recorder something which could not be possible in ancient times (Cole  Dioso-Villa, 2009).

Depending on the type of crime, the importance of forensic science evidence differs. In cases which involve first hand witnesses more emphasis is put on individual witness. Witnesses provide evidence based on the things that they saw or heard. Mostly witnesses provide information on events before and after the crime. This evidence is more concrete. But in some cases such as paternity disputes, forensic evidence provides the most accurate information compared to any other. DNA analysis uses genetic information that is unique to every individual to determine the father of a given child. So in such cases forensic evidence is superior to any other (Saks  Koehler, 2008).

More emphasis together with trust should continue to be put on forensic science because of the level of accuracy attached to the evidence gathered through this method. In cases where there are no witnesses, it plays a very big role in identification of the culprit. For example if an unusual chemical is discovered in a scene of murder, it can be analyzed using forensic techniques such as forensic chemistry to identify the chemical and its origin. It may be that the chemical is a chemical that the perpetrator uses in hisher work. Therefore through identification of the chemical and its origin, step in identifying the killer could have been made.

Aggrandising effects of the blend between high aspirations to achieve prosperity, income and goals with those of low chances of success to achieve them, Mertons theory has lost his significance under the gloomy effulgence of the modern purposeless crimes. The present status of youth getting into crime is not explained by various other conventional theories like this but some modern yet-to-be deciphered phenomenon which explain the sense of void motif and fun being associated with the crime aspect of youth gangs.
                         
Elucidating the reason behind these crimes, we deduce relatively less intense objectives like impressing others and the fun derived from the chaotic attribute of crime. The reason behind bashing people ruthlessly often envisages the pleasure seeking in tormenting others and not so severe intentions to demolish life and property. The more frustrated or randomised thinking occurs in youths belonging place like Brisbane, more haphazard and mercurial turns out to be the frequency of these purposeless crimes. The reason behind their level of frustration and affinity towards going for motif-lacked crimes can be further credited to the ethical lag too.

An adversarial criminal justice is a system of criminal law which is dependent on the contest between attorneys representing the parties involved in a trial. The system involves the jury composed of impartial individuals who determines the truth based on the contest. In this type of criminal justice, the judge or the jury is not involved in the investigation of the case. This form of criminal justice system has been adopted by majority of countries in the world and is based on the common law. However, in many countries in Europe and America, the adversarial criminal system together with the inquisitorial criminal judicial system is applied in some special cases. The system is based on a two sided structure involving a prosecutor and the defense (Kirsten, 2002). 

An inquisitorial criminal justice system is different from the adversarial criminal justice system. In this case, the court or the jury is involved in the investigation of the case. The court uses its apparatus to gather facts about the case as opposed to the adversarial criminal justice system where the court acts as an impartial referee between the advocates of the parties in the case. Inquisitorial judicial systems are common in countries that base their judicial systems on civil legal systems. However, countries that base their judicial systems on case law systems such as the United States and many countries in Europe use inquisitorial procedures in dealing with special cases such as minor traffic offences. Therefore, although the adversarial criminal systems are based on the case law system while the inquisitorial criminal justice system is based on the civil legal system. There differences are not related to the differences between case law systems and civil legal systems. Based on the characteristics of the inquisitorial criminal justice system, some scholars have found it more appropriate to call it non adversarial system (Glendon et al, 2008).

The inquisitorial criminal justice system is applied in the determination of the judicial procedures and not as substantive law. The system therefore dictates how the proceeding of the trial should be conducted but does not in any way determine which crimes the offender should be prosecuted for. The sentence imposed on the offender is also not determined by the inquisitorial system. This explains its application in civil legal system as opposed to case law system. However, the application of these systems varies from one culture to another where some courts assume that the trial procedures and the substantive law are interconnected and therefore fail to recognize the dichotomy. This has resulted in application of inquisitorial principle in adversarial criminal system where the jury may decide to look for facts by cross examining the witnesses. This also varies with cultures in different countries (Reichel, 2005).

International tribunals and criminal courts have been formed to try people suspected of having committed crimes against humanity. For many years, the proceedings of these international courts and tribunal such as the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, have adopted the adversarial criminal justice systems. However, over the years, the traditions of the international tribunals have changed where they are adopting inquisitorial features in their systems. This has led to the need for professional juries, the adoption of pre trial examination and investigations aimed at obtaining facts on the case (Kirsten, 2002).

The basic feature of an adversarial criminal justice system is the fact that the accused person is not compelled by the system to witness in the trial process. This means that the accused person cannot be questioned by the jury presiding over the case or the prosecutor unless he or she chose to be questioned. However, if the accused chooses to testify during the proceeding, he or she is subjected to cross examination by the prosecutor and the defendants advocate. Moreover, the accused that chooses to testify may be guilty of perjury. However, the accused has the right to remain silent which protects him or her from any cross examination.

In inquisitorial criminal justice systems, the judge or the jury presiding over the case cooperates with the investigative agencies such as the police in gathering and preparation of evidence against the accused. Similar to the case of the adversarial proceeding, the jury or the judge is also concerned with the manner in which the parties involved in the trial present their case. The role of the judge in inquisitorial proceedings is to lead the questioning of the accused while the prosecutor and the advocates of the parties involved in the case have the right to ask supplementary questions. The judge or the jury influence reduces the contest between the opponents in the case which is also a basic feature in the adversarial proceedings. In both adversarial and inquisitorial proceedings, the basic assumption is that by using an impartial expert to preside over the proceedings is in the best interest of the parties involved in the proceeding. The expert in both systems who is the judge protects the witness or the accused from intimidation and any threat in the proceeding from the highly skilled and gifted attorneys representing their clients. Such intimidations are likely to tilt the balance in the proceeding leading to injustices. The presence of an impartial expert in the two systems also ensures that the evidence gathered is of high quality and reduces cases of arguments between the attorneys which are likely to lead into distraction of the court business and consequently waste of time (Shin, 1998).

A key feature of the inquisitorial criminal justice system which is commonly practiced in France among other countries is the investigating magistrate. It is the responsibility of the investigating magistrate to investigate and gather facts concerning the crime and the inquiries in the court. The magistrate is independent of any political influences and the prosecution presided over which is a basic strength of the French inquisitorial criminal justice system. The investigating magistrate acts a check and balance for the investigation process which also ensures that no dubious prosecutions are brought to the court (Shin, 1998). 

The judge in the adversarial criminal justice system on the other hand ensures that the due process of the law is followed in the proceedings and that justice is done to all. The judge decides what evidence is required to settle a dispute but only when called upon by the counsel. The judge in this system cannot call for evidence in his or her own motion. However, depending on the traditions of the court, the judge presiding over a case in an adversarial system plays a major role in deciding when and what evidence should be admitted or rejected. This discretion has been opposed by some individuals due to his possibility of abuse and discriminative use by the presiding judge or jury (Kirsten, 2002).

The major distinction between the adversarial and inquisitorial criminal justice systems arises when the accused individual admits to have committed the offense. In the case of adversarial justice system, the controversy no longer exists in such cases and the court is expected to proceed and impose a sentence. However, in many jurisdictions, this does not happen and the defendant is expected to have allocution of his offence because cases of false confession are unacceptable in the law court. This is not the case under inquisitorial criminal system. In such system, the accused confession is treated as additional evidence that has been gathered by the court and the profession does not affect the proceeding of the trial and presentation of the case. The plea bargaining that is provided for in the adversarial justice system is virtually impossible or very difficult in inquisitional criminal judicial systems. Another major distinction is the rules related to evidences presented in the court. The rules of evidence in the adversarial justice system are very strict because it is assumed that the evidence is not presented to experts or the jurist but rather to the laymen. The hearsay rules are particularly strict in all adversarial systems when compared to inquisitorial justice systems. However, the lower tribunals may be more flexible especially in cases where the parties are not represented by attorneys (Kirsten, 2002).

The Islamic justice system is based on the Sheria law common among Islamic states and societies. The law is derived from the Quran, the Muslim Holy Book. The law is considered divine as opposed to the adversarial and inquisitorial systems which are considered to be man made. The Islamic justice system is the most commonly used system that is based on religion. However, in some cultures, the systems have been influenced by other civil justice systems (Mumisa, 2002).

The reasoning and the proceedings of the Islamic judicial system is basically the same as that employed in the adversarial and the inquisitorial justice systems. The proceeding in the justice systems presided over by Ulema, the equivalent of a jury in the adversarial and the inquisitorial justice systems. There are claims that the common law under which the justice systems in countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States originated from the Sheria law in Islamic societies. The English trust law and the English contact law have been closely associated with similar clauses in the Islamic law. Many people in the western world have had some misconception about Islamic justice systems where majority have assumed that the systems have no judges as for the case of the adversarial and inquisitorial systems. Moreover, many people believe that the Islamic justice systems are based on fixed punishments which are outdated. This is not the case because the systems have Qazi, the equivalent of a judge in common law and the system is very flexible where the judge is allowed to create options just as in the systems based on common law (Dien, 2004).

In conclusion, the adversarial, inquisitorial and the Islamic criminal justice systems are based on the same reasoning. However, there are some outstanding differences that characterize each of the system. The Islamic justice system is based on the Islamic religion while the adversarial system and the inquisitorial systems are based on common law. The investigatory law of the judge also inquisitorial system differentiates it from the adversarial system.

The Long Good Friday is a film written by Derek Thompson, Barrie Keeffe, Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren. It is about a British gangster during the late 1970s that is starred by two of its authors Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren. The film was released during 1980 in United Kingdom and 1982 in United States but the movie was originally completed in 1979.  It is directed by John Mackenzie, a British film director born in Edinburgh Scotland. At first, John Mackenzie worked as an assistant director which guided him of becoming an independent and skilled director. He started directing during 1969 and The long Good Friday is the fifth film that he handled.

Bob Hoskins played the role of the leading character Harold Shand, a British gangster who aspired to become a legitimate businessman during the late 1970s. He can be described as an old fashioned mobster pushing his way through legalizing his businesses. With the aid of American Mafia funding, Harold Shand proposed of redeveloping the London Docklands (one of the neglected part of London). The purpose of restoring the place is for good cause, after restoring the London Docklands it will be used as a place for future Olympic Games. The story is intertwined with illegal businesses such as gun-running, police corruption and political corruption. It also demonstrates transformation of traditional British industry with land development, free market economy and Britains entry to the European Union.

Harold Shand is known as a feared ruler of London underworld where he is acknowledged as the kingpin of British gangster. His life suddenly shattered into pieces when a series of killings and explosions unexpectedly erupted made by a mysterious enemy. Most of the subsequent line of story is the endeavor of the main character to discover the perpetrator behind the killings and bombings. His continues search for the person behind the scene only came to an unexpected finding. The killings were only the result of a small-time tawdriness of the business he desires to legalize.

The plot made its turning point from the suddenly killings and betrayal by one of the trusted men of Harold Shand. The allegation only becomes apparent during the highlight of the movie where a solution is recommended although not clearly stated. He applied the same viciousness to go deeper upon the information of the perpetrator, a method that made him notoriously known. But the enemies besides his local rivals had a different path of motivations and took advantage of the situation to bring him down.

Due to the successive incidents of killings, representatives of the American Mafia decided to leave England for their own safety. Unlike the American Mafia representatives who flee for their lives, Harold Shand remained in England who is determined and decided to continue pursue his ambition. Holding the unbreakable will to become a legitimate businessman, he ignored the high possibility of him being killed. The time have come to face his fate, after leaving the hotel, he gets into his car without noticing that it was taken over by two IRA (Irish Republican Army) men where he is quickly driven out of the hotel zone. Harold was then pointed by a gun from an unknown man sitting at the front seat and at that moment, Harold knew that the time has come for his end.

The group of Harold Shand portrayed in the movie can be considered as an organized crime or criminal organization where it depicts a highly centralized enterprise controlled by criminals. One of the illegal activities that the mob in the film performs is gun-running which can be considered as a vital aspect to identify a group of people engaging in illegal activities as an organized crime. It is more complicated to define organized crime, most of the people who have knowledge about mafia, gangsters or mobsters and people who are aware of some movies like Godfather, The Sopranos or even the Goodfellas may have different account regarding organized crimes. The most common description that can be asserted regarding criminal organizations is that it is a highly organized and disciplined association of group of criminals engaging in unlawful activities for the purpose of earning money. Organized crime can be recognized by eight dimensions of framework (1) ideology, (2) structureorganized hierarchy, (3) continuity, (4) violenceuse of force or the threat of force, (5) restricted membershipbonding, (6) illegal enterprises, (7) penetration of legitimate businesses, (8) corruption. In the movie, it is stated that the leading character (Harold Shand) wants to be a legitimate businessman. Although it is not clear in the movie if there is a hidden agenda behind his real motive of becoming a legitimate businessman, the concept of penetration of legitimate business falls in one of the eight dimensions of recognizing an organized crime. Corruption (police and political corruption) as stated in the film is also included in the eight dimensions of framework where the movie can be certainly stressed that it concerns about organized crime.

Organized crime is well known of having a hierarchy, like in the movie that demonstrates the various levels of persons in the association. These criminal organizations have well-structured hierarchy having a boss and a subordinates which is usually in descending order of authority. Within the group, members also have different function in planning a crime but there is always someone behind who command the actions of every member.

In order for an organized crime to flourished and survive, there must be a support coming from the community where the organization exist. It is often essential to corrupt some of the respected members of the community through bribery and black mail. It is also crucial for the criminal organizations to bribe law enforcer, judge and legislator in order to control the law which govern them. As indicated in the movie where police and political people are being corrupted, it only shows that the civil society is disorganized and weak. Organized crimes take this advantage in controlling such officials in order for them to prosper. Due to these circumstances (time of political, economic and social turmoil) criminal organizations can carry out their illegal activities with ease. Controlling the officials let them operate with little fear from law enforcement. 

Even though organized crimes can take a hold of the law (temporarily), there would come a time that the organization will go down. Officials are not permanent where they will be replaced by new officials that organized crime might have problem bribing or controlling. Although that is the case, new organized crime will still continue to emerge. There is also a possibility that the boss or the head of the group may be arrested or get killed like in the movie (Harold Shand being caught by the IRA) which signifies the end of the association. In that circumstance, the group may still exist due to one of the eight dimensions of framework of organized crime (continuity). As Fickenauer stated Continuity means that the group is self-perpetuating continuing beyond the life or participation of any particular individual. Bosses who die, or go to jail, are replaced by new bosses. Others may drop out, for various reasons, but the organization  like its counterparts in the non  criminal world - continues.

Organized crime may also be defined as transnational crime. The term transnational crime is normally used by law enforcer to define a systematic crime that occurs across national border. Transnational crimes also include crimes that are conducted inside the country but have a significant effect to other country. It may also be defined as systematic illegal activity that links two different criminal organizations from different countries. In the movie, it is evident that the mob of Harold Shand is also involved in a transnational crime. The British gangster is connected to American Mafia where it can be assumed that he is associated to some illegitimate activities that may involve the American Mafia. Most of the organized crimes start at several legitimate and illegitimate businesses that eventually will lead them to conducting transnational crime. These start at traditional crime activities such as prostitution, drug circulation, gambling, violence and debt collection. After successfully producing money, they start to enter legitimate business to expand the income of the group. Some of this business that they expand theyre influence are stock market, wholesale markets, food industry and stock market. Although an organized crime manage to acquire such influence, conducting transnational crime still require highly systematic and specialized methods in conducting the illegal activity. It is not likely to happen that an organized crime will operate in human smuggling operation and at the same time be involved in drug trafficking.

Transnational crime (crimes across the national border) are usually temporary not like traditional crimes that may last a long time. The reason for this is that transnational crimes usually happens in response to current criminal opportunities unlike the traditional crime that already exist in a certain place and still continue to survive.

One of the biggest threats regarding securing human, social, economic, political and cultural development of a society is greatly threatened by transnational crime. It is apparent in different activities globally such as drug trafficking, firearms smuggling, human trafficking and money laundering. The biggest income generating transnational crime is drug trafficking where it is also the most prevalent problem the world is facing. In order to prevent such activity, it is best to enhance the international cooperation of every country.   

While sometimes it is rather difficult to understand why highly educated, smart and successful people holding good positions in the large local and multinational companies risk all they have to lie, steal or hack, the answer is rather simple  because they can do it and feel challenged to hack complicated systems to steal money, passwords, accesses and other intelligence (Jacobson and Green, 2002).

Although institutions and organizations do not generate the opportunities, motives, and means for white-collar crime on purpose, their structure and business activities are what create motives and opportunities for white-collar crimes. The computerized systems applied in merely all business activities and interactions become an attractive challenge for those with advanced computer skills who using their positions and access to certain information and systems can commit illegal actions to gain economic or other types of benefits.

White-collar crimes have very great negative impact on the social structure. In many cases, corporations may possibly be a reason of heavily fined. However, the social impact of strictly punishing an organization may give jobs opportunities to hundreds of people in addition to supplying social requirements, which can be more negative than the primary contravention of the law (Rosoff, Pontell and Tillman, 2002). White-collar criminals often use the technique of neutralization of their crimes to minimize guilt of their illegal actions and court sentence of imprisonment (Jacobson and Green, 2002).

The example of the white-collar organizationalcorporate crime can be vividly observed on the example of the documentary titled Enron The Smartest Guys in the Room directed by Alex Gibney (Green, 2006). The film describes how Chairman Ken Lay and CEO Jeff Skilling ruined the giant energy company Enron because of their greediness and left thousands of people without job, large amounts of invested money and hopes for future. Ken Lay, Jeff Skilling, Andrew Fastow, Tom Belton and others occurred to be greedy white-collar criminals whose actions were directed not only toward money, but also toward another two types of goals in the white-collar crime, that is, profit and political power.

Moreover, Enron executives were blamed in another type of white-collar crime, that is, neglect of worker safety requirements. Chemical companies, coal mines and energy and oil companies (including energy company Enron) have high rates of death while organizations make profit. The film give actual tone of voice clips from Enron employees by making a wide range discussion about transferring electricity from California state into nodes in other states where there was a extra. It started when California had signed legislation to working for free in energy markets. As a result of that, Enron formed a demand by causing blackouts crossways the state. Based on this price of electricity skyrocket, it was the right time for Enron to take back the energy they took out of California back into California, which lead to big profits which can be billions upon billions of dollars in profits (Green, 2006).