The argument that crime is homogeneous only in that it is behavior which violates criminal law is becoming increasingly popular. Thus there has been a development of classifications of criminals - in ...which explantations are sought for diff patterns of behavior viewed as homogeneous types of crime - of 2 kinds: (a) typologies classifying the universe of offenders by utilizing single variables, or by describing polar types, & (2) identification of patterns of criminal behavior & some dimensions in detail, implying in each instance the existence of an underlying typological scheme. The typologies advanced to date are inadequate. The major criteria for a criminal typology should: (1) include a major part of the offender pop, (2) describe & discriminate between offender types at any given point in the lives of a cohort of offenders, (3) specify characteristics of criminal types, & (4) be parsimonious. The suggested dimensions of the attribute-space of criminal behavior to be utilized in assembling etiological & descriptive data regarding criminal types are: (i) self-conception & identification, (ii) community background, (iii) family background, (iv) differential association, (v) delinquent & criminal record, (vi) institutional role, & (vii) prognosis. A brief description of an effort at typology construction is included, comprising 14 criminal types. As an example, the 'Quasi-Professional Property Offender' is described & analyzed in terms of the seven dimensions. H. K. Schwarzweller.
This is a 'speculative & general' paper designed to investigate 'criminal types' & 'etiological processes' with a view to stimulating criticism & res activity. An 8-fold property offender typology is ...developed & considered. 2 dimensions are used: offense patterns, & self-definition & att's. Offender types are: the professional thief, professional 'heavy,' nonprofessional property offender, auto thief-joyrider, naive check forger, white collar criminal, embezzler, & the professional 'fringe' violator. Basic assumptions in the development of the typology are presented. S. Grupp.
Breaking Patterns of Defeat Gibbons, Don C.
Journal of criminal law, criminology & police science,
03/1958, Volume:
48, Issue:
6
Book Review, Journal Article
