Describe the characteristics of criminal behaviour

• Point

  Criminal behaviour can be classified into different types based on the nature of the crime
• Evidence

  Farr and Gibbons (1990) identified seven categories of crime, including property predatory crime (e.g., burglary and car theft), interpersonal violence (e.g., murder and assault), and transactional vice (e.g., illegal gambling and drug sales).
• Explain

  These categories highlight the variety of criminal behaviours, from financial deception to violent crimes. For instance, Sharon Porter’s embezzlement falls under property fraudulent crime, as it involved financial manipulation for personal gain
• Link

  Understanding these classifications helps in analysing different types of crime and their impact on society.
• Point

  Criminal behaviour can be divided into two primary groups based on its impact: victim-based crimes and crimes against society
• Evidence

  The office of national statistics (ONS) categorises crimes into victim-based crimes, such as murder and theft, and crimes against society, including drug offences and public disorder
• Explain

  Victim-based crimes directly harm individuals, whereas crimes against society affect the broader community. For example, a father who murders his daughter is an example of interpersonal violence, whereas drug-related crimes fall under crimes against society
• Link

  This distinction helps law enforcement and researchers understand crime patterns and implement targeted interventions
• Point

  Criminal behaviour is not fixed and can change based on historical and cultural contexts
• Evidence

  The definition of crime depends on laws, which change over time. For example, homosexuality was illegal in the UK until 1969, and in the 17th century, stealing a handkerchief was punishable by hanging
• Explain

  This shows that some behaviours considered criminal in the past are now legal, while new crimes, such as cybercrime, have emerged due to technological advancements
• Link

  This demonstrates that criminal behaviour is shaped by societal norms and legal frameworks
• Point

  Some criminal behaviour may be perceived as minor or socially acceptable, even if it is legally punishable
• Evidence

  Muncle and McLaughlin (1996) found that many individuals have committed minor crimes, such as traffic violations or fishing without a license, without considering themselves as criminals
• Explain

  These acts, categorised as folk/mundane crimes, are often seen as inconveniences rather than serious offences. However; they are still legally recognised as crimes
• Link

  This highlights that criminal behaviour exists on a spectrum, from minor infractions to serious offences
• Point

  Criminal behaviour is often studied using different data collection methods, such as official statistics, victim surveys and offender surveys.
• Evidence

  The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) collects data on both reported and unreported crimes, while offenders surveys focus on self-reported criminal activities
• Explain

  Official statistics may underestimate crime levels as not all crimes are reported, while offender surveys rely on self-disclosure, which can be unreliable
• Link

  These methods help researchers and policymakers gain a more comprehensive understanding of criminal behaviour