Using Mathematical Models to Rank the Members of Criminal Networks

Abstract

Different mathematical approaches to ranking were used to determine the level of importance of every member in a criminal network. Two different data sets consisting of phone records provided by the FBI were analyzed. The first data set consisted of call logs over a three year span of members in a drug ring. The second data set consisted of the call logs of members in a gang. After analyzing the results of the rankings, properties of the two networks are discussed to provide further insight into why certain ranking algorithms performed well and others did not.