Convicting and incarcerating leaders of criminal enterprises often fails
to close down the illegal operation. The enterprise continues because
the economic infrastructure remains intact. Destruction of the financial
underpinnings of crime syndicates through asset forfeiture is essential
to law enforcement success. All criminal prosecutors and investigators
must master the basics of financial investigations if they are to be
effective. This pamphlet is designed to acquaint prosecutors and agents
with basic financial investigative techniques that should be considered
in every investigation. It is not enough to ask only: "What crime?" and
"What defendants?" There is a third question that must be asked at the
beginning of each case: "What assets?" A careful financial investigation
can lead from the street dealer to the kingpins.