Temporal dynamics in covert networks

Broccatelli, C. , Everett, M. and Koskinen, J. (2016) Temporal dynamics in covert networks. Methodological Innovations, 9, pp. 1-14. (doi: 10.1177/2059799115622766)

Abstract

Criminal organisations tend to be structured as a network in order to optimise flows of resource exchanges. The consolidation of these structures strengthens the criminal organisation’s capability of becoming more and more efficient over time. Recently, researchers in the field of covert networks have begun to analyse the dynamics of these networks. Thus far, the models and methods used to analyse the temporal dynamics of covert networks have come with a number of limitations. Our approach for analysing temporal dynamics attempts to address some of these limitations. In this article, we extend the use of dynamic line-graphs to bipartite networks for incorporating time directly into the network, and we suggest an alternative way to visualise the evolution of actors’ participation in successive covert actions and events. Our article intends to contribute to the research on dynamic networks by proposing a new approach for representing temporal dynamics in covert networks. After illustrating our method, we present some examples of its use on real-world data for visualising network evolutions over time.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Broccatelli, Dr Chiara
• Authors: Broccatelli, C., Everett, M., and Koskinen, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: Methodological Innovations
• Publisher: SAGE
• ISSN: 2059-7991
• ISSN (Online): 2059-7991
• Published Online: 02 March 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Methodological Innovations 9:1-14
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License