Knowledge Bank

Discussing one of the most difficult and sensitive topics in criminology, Federico Varese came to the Mershon center to present his research on Russian mafia activity in Italy . Varese applied techniques borrowed from the field of physics to map the organization of one Russian mafia organization's relocation to Rome . The method, called network analysis, shows the relationship of specific members of the mafia organization, Sonsova, to other members in the group. According to Varese, this method can help to explain how the illicit activities of Sonsova operated within Italy, which he said allows for a better understanding of transnational mafia activities more broadly.