This book offers rich ethnographic and narrative accounts of men who have been engaged in serious violence and organised crime in the West Midlands of England, using several theoretical paradigms. Through case study examples, it also considers contract killers and the nefarious position that 'hitmen' occupy in the criminal underworld. By charting insider perspectives from retired law enforcement agents, informants, ex-military personnel and ex-offenders, this book speaks to those who have a vested interest in violence, organised crime and ethnography.

Draws on multiple research methods to offer novel insights into homicide and organised crime Argues that fatal violence is used as an alternative form of criminal justice by these criminal groups Examines the social embeddedness of organised crime in the West Midlands Identifies precursors to homicide within organised crime groups

Autorentext

Mohammed Rahman is Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Nottingham Trent University, UK. Previously, he was Lecturer in Criminology at Birmingham City University. Mohammed's academic work concerns serious crimes - especially organised crime and gangs. Regularly, he uses his teaching and research experiences to inform the public, media and international press about crime, harm and crime control. In 2018, he was awarded his PhD.

Inhalt

1. Introduction and Methodology.- 2. History, Homicide, Organised Crime and Theory.- 3. Contract Killers and Glocal Organised Crime: A Case Study of the 'Baby-Faced' Assassin.- 4. Drugs, Guns and Organised Crime: A Case Study of the Journeyman Hitman.- 5. Violent Men: Trauma, Humiliation and Scenarios of Harm.- 6. Homicide and Organised Crime in Birmingham, West Midlands: Future Directions and Closing Comments.