Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

Which crime involves holding individuals against their will for commercial purposes?

1. Kidnapping

2. Human trafficking

3. Conspiracy

4. Extortion

The correct answer is: Human trafficking

Human trafficking is correctly identified as the crime that involves holding individuals against their will for commercial purposes. This crime is a serious violation of human rights and often involves coercion, fraud, or force to exploit individuals, typically for labor or commercial sexual exploitation. The individuals trafficked are often deceived or manipulated into situations where they cannot escape, making it a grievous offense that impacts victims profoundly. The distinction between human trafficking and related offenses, such as kidnapping, lies in the intent and purpose. While kidnapping does involve unlawfully seizing and carrying away a person, it doesn't necessarily have the commercial exploitation aspect inherent in human trafficking. Instead, human trafficking explicitly focuses on the exploitation and the commercial gain derived from the victim's situation. Therefore, it encompasses a broader range of abuses and exploitation methods, making it critical in addressing modern forms of slavery and exploitation. Conspiracy and extortion do not fit this scenario as they involve different elements of crime. Conspiracy generally refers to an agreement between two or more parties to commit a crime, while extortion involves obtaining something, often money, through coercion or threats but does not inherently involve the holding of individuals against their will. Hence, the specificity of human trafficking in the context of holding individuals for commercial gain makes