Characteristics of organized crime are identified as corruption, violence, sophistication, continuity, structure, discipline, multiple enterprises, involvement in legitimate enterprises, and the bonding ritual. It is advised that these characteristics should be examined in the context of all types of organized crime, not just of Mafia-like groups but of newer and emerging groups as well. Corruption, violence, continuity, and involvement in multiple enterprises are said to be characteristics of essentially all organized crime groups. Regarding structure, all criminal enterprises are noted to have some structure, but no particular structure characterizes all possible organized crime groups. Most are said to engage in both legitimate and criminal enterprises, but this may not be a necessary characteristic; and sophistication, discipline, and bonding may be characteristic of some organized crime groups but are neither necessary or typical. It is recommended that any formal definition of organized crime used in policy decisions be based upon the characteristics identified here. Four notes and 22 references are listed.