This thesis investigates the behavioural and interactive elements of heroin importation behaviour. Almost all heroin consumed in Australia is imported. Thus the people who conduct the importing and their behavioural characteristics are an important point of focus. The thesis argues too little is known of illegal drug importation and higher level drug deal offending beyond stereotypes and that the lack of publicly available, independent research means there is ill-informed public and political debate and a very narrow evidence-base on which policy and strategy can be based. Review of available literature led to identification of a number of gaps in knowledge about heroin imporation offending and these provided a framework for the focus of investigations. The thesis uses data triangulation to increase the validity of the findings. The findings are based on agency data and semi-structured interviews with informants in Australia, Thailand and Hong Kong. The characteristics of offenders detected importing heavy weights of heroin are contrasted with those importing lighter weights. A number of understandings arise from the findings including some that are supported by other research. As well there are a number of new findings which challenge current concepts and stereotypes and have implications for policy and strategy aimed at supply reduction. (For complete abstract open the document)

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of Toledo, 2007. / "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences." Title from title page of PDF document. Bibliography: p. 72-96.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed Oct. 31, 2007). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics) -- University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-131). Free to UCDHSC affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Univ., 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Frankfurt (Main), Universiẗat, Diss., 2008. / Erscheinungsjahr an der Haupttitelstelle: 2007.

Thèse (M.Sc.)--Université Laval, 2008. / Bibliogr.: f. [106]-126. Publié aussi en version électronique dans la Collection Mémoires et thèses électroniques.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2004. / "May 2004." Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 70-75). Also issued on the Internet.