Mainstreaming Methodology for Estimating Costs of Crime
When preparing to commit crimes offenders may invest in specialist equipment. Film buffs will be familiar with examples where cars, boats or planes have been specially adapted for such purposes. At a further remove will be the creation (for criminal purposes) of networks of contacts whose discretion can be relied on for purposes of dealing in stolen goods, laundering the proceeds of drug trading or prostitution and so on. These activities all tie up time that has a positive opportunity cost.
Bibliographical review: Offender costs review
Costing issues: Offender costs
In reality, of course, it is very unlikely to be possible to collect such information at all systematically, although occasional successful convictions may bring to light some examples.
