Two elite crimefighting units are to increase in size - through cash seized from organised criminals.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill says the move will create a "virtuous circle" to tackle problems like the drugs trade and people trafficking.

About £400,000 is to be used in 2008/09 to recruit forensic accountants, investigators and lawyers to increase the size of the Civil Recovery Unit and the National Casework Division at the Crown Office.

The Government is also to add new offences indicating a criminal lifestyle to the Proceeds of Crime Act, including bribery and corruption, and distribution of child and extreme pornography.

Since the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 was implemented over £17 million has been recovered from criminal activity in Scotland.

"The Civil Recovery Unit and National Casework Division are vital weapons in the fight against organised crime," Mr MacAskill said ahead of the second meeting of the serious organised crime taskforce.

"How fitting then to use some of these criminals' own assets to further increase our capability to disrupt crime and recover even more of the proceeds of crime.

"It's a win, win situation for the law abiding many - and galling for the parasites of serious crime.

"A virtuous circle within criminal justice to tackle the immoral trading in drugs and people trafficking that symbolise serious crime's contempt for our society."

The Government believes that expertise in areas such as forensic accountancy will make it increasingly difficult for organised criminals to hide their money in legitimate businesses they set up.

The justice secretary also said extending the range of crimes covered under the Proceeds of Crime Act will provide a "further weapon" for the authorities.

"Organised crime is not about drugs and trafficking," he added.

"Its tentacles stretch to crimes such as fraud, pornography and also using legitimate businesses as fronts for money laundering.

"By extending the range of offences indicative of a criminal lifestyle, we want to ensure that organised criminals, involved in many different types of crimes, feel the full force of the law."