This report presents the findings of a novel application of social network analysis (SNA) to study a criminal network surrounding an East Africa-based wildlife trafficker. This technique focuses on understanding structural, functional and sociometric characteristics of networks by mapping social interactions between individuals and groups. 

A new report sets out preliminary findings from the social network analysis of wildlife trafficking networks in East Africa.

It first explores the structure and characteristics of social networks engaged in wildlife trafficking, suggesting that they operate as a form of transnational organised crime and remarkably like a business enterprise. In terms of supply chains, both bottom-up and top-down mechanisms are evident.