Criminal Trajectories of White-collar Offenders

Abstract

Objectives: This article analyzes the criminal development and sociodemographic and criminal profile of a sample of prosecuted white-collar offenders. It identifies trajectory groups and describes their profiles based on crime, sociodemographic, and selection offence characteristics. Methods: The criminal development of 644 prosecuted white-collar offenders in the Netherlands was examined using all registered offences from age 12 onward. In addition, sociodemographic background information was gathered from the Netherlands Internal Revenue Service and Municipal Personal Records Office. Trajectory analysis was conducted to approximate the underlying continuous distribution in criminal development by a discrete number of groups. Results: The criminal career characteristics and sociodemographic profile show a heterogeneous sample of white-collar offenders. Trajectory analysis distinguished four trajectory groups. Two low-frequency offender groups, totaling 78 percent, are characterized by their adult onset. The two high-frequency offender groups, totaling 22 percent, are characterized by their adolescent onset. Distinct and internally consistent offender profiles emerged for the four trajectory groups on the basis of crime, sociodemographic, and selection offence characteristics. Conclusions: The diversity in offence patterns and offender profiles points to different (developmental) causes for white-collar crime and underlines the importance of further longitudinal research on white-collar offending from an integrated white-collar and life-course perspective.

Social Bonds and White-Collar Crime: A Two-Study Assessment of Informal Social Controls in White-Collar Offenders

“…The sample of offenders consisted of 634 individuals who were prosecuted by the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service between 2008 and 2012 for their involvement in white-collar crimes. Earlier research shows that they were prosecuted for a wide variety of offences (see Van Onna et al 2014). The most prevalent selection offences were tax frauds but the offenders were also prosecuted for other white-collar offences, such as swindles, embezzlement, and bankruptcy fraud.…”

“…All variables except regions were significantly associated with the outcome measures, and the latter was, therefore, not included in control analyses. 3 Control samples were constructed in 2014 when the offender sample consisted of 644 offenders (see Van Onna et al 2014). The original control sample was therefore (N × 3) N = 1931 (one offender could only be matched with two other individuals).…”

The Origin of White Collar Criminality? – Exploring a Gene x Environment Interaction Hypothesis

“…And suffering from at least one emotional, marital, or substance abuse problem over the course of their lives (Weisburd, 1991;Soothill et al, 2012;Zukowski, 2015). Where around 7% of low-frequency offenders have problems with drug abuse and around 5% have alcohol abuse problems (Onna et al, 2014; Weisburd m.fl., 2001), which is a higher rate of substance abuse than the general population (Poortinga m.fl., 2006). A connection that is associated to a short allele of 5-HTTLPR (Kretchmer, Dijkstra & Veenstra, 2014).…”

“…Whereof some of this traits (hedonistic, non-agreeable and Machiavellian egocentric) are to some degree linked, but not fully confirmed, to basic human values as 'power', 'achievements' and 'hedonism' (Goossen et al, 2016). Secondly, and more important, the peak age is 41-42 year with no particular criminal history (Alalehto & Larsson, 2008;Benson, 2002;Bussmann & Werle, 2006;Gottschalk, 2013; K. Holtfreter, Van Slyke, & Blomberg, 2005;Kardell & Bergqvist, 2009;Kerley & Copes, 2004;Onna, Geest, Huisman, & Denkers, 2014;Poortinga, Lemmen, & Jibson, 2006;Soothill, Humphreys, & Francis, 2012;Weisburd, 1991;Weisburd et al, 2001). Compared to the mean age of street criminals 15-19 year (Farrington, 2003) the common white collar criminal is thus an anomaly in criminology, which in general perform as a late bloomer.…”

White Collar Crime: Recidivism, Deterrence, and Social Impact

“…One study tracked the life course and development of white collar criminals, and the factors that lead them to commit crimes. It was clear that "situational factors alone cannot explain white collar crime" [17]. Not only do white collar criminals perceive themselves as non-criminals and non-threatening, but studies show that white collar crimes tend to be committed by those with a desire for control, whereas violent crimes tend to be committed by persons with low self-control [18].…”