Combating organised crime. Best practice surveys of the Council of Europe

This publication is a compilation of the “Best-practice Surveys” on measures against organised crime prepared by a group of specialists of the Council of Europe between 1998 and 2003. The surveys provide insights into areas which continue to be of greatest relevance to practitioners and decision-makers: witness protection; reversing the burden of proof in confiscating the proceeds of crime; interception of communication and intrusive surveillance; crime analysis; cross-border co-operation; provisions on membership in criminal organisations; co-operation against trafficking in human beings; preventive legal measures against organised crime. The publication is also a reflection of some of the achievements since 1997, when - at the 2nd Summit of heads of state and government - European leaders charged the Council of Europe to step up measures against organised crime, corruption and money laundering.