Do offenders have distinct offending patterns before they join adult gang criminal groups? Analyses of crime specialization and escalation in offence seriousness

Abstract

Researchers have put serious efforts into identifying youth at high risk of joining gangs. Their main focus has been on street gangs, whereas risk factors for joining adult gang criminal groups have received less attention. This study examines crime specialization and crime seriousness prior to gang initiation among 564 adult gang members, 800 outlaw bikers and matched comparison groups of offenders (up to three offenders convicted of the same number of offences) who stayed out of such gangs. The data stem from Statistics Denmark and the Police Intelligence Database. The study findings demonstrate that the gang members and the outlaw bikers commit more serious offences than their non-gang counterparts, but the study also provides evidence that it is difficult-most likely impossible-to identify upcoming members of gangs by paying attention to crime patterns only.

Organized crime groups: A systematic review of individual‐level risk factors related to recruitment

“…Studies employing this analytical approach resulted in having an overall low risk of bias (Klement, 2016; Pedersen, 2018; Van Koppen et al, 2010). Moreover, studies employing sample matching were also the only ones providing some longitudinal analysis (Blokland et al, 2019; Francis et al, 2013; Kirby et al, 2016; Klement, 2016; Pedersen, 2018; Van Koppen et al, 2010). Nonetheless, these studies mostly focus on demographic and criminal history data, unlike survey‐based and interview‐based studies that report more varied type of information (including demographic, economic, psychological, and criminal history variables).…”

“…Two studies (Pedersen, 2018—OMCG; Pedersen, 2018—Gang) investigated other, non‐specified, offences of OMCG members and gang members (compared to offenders in general), reporting a total of two predictors. The measures related to the share of other offences out of the total offences committed before recruitment into organized crime.…”

“…Four included studies exploited police intelligence or investigation data to identify individuals involved in organized crime groups (Adams & Pizarro, 2014; Blokland et al, 2019; Klement, 2016; Pedersen, 2018).…”

Criminal Careers Prior to Recruitment into Italian Organized Crime

“…For this reason, throughout the text, we use the terms 'recruitment' and 'involvement' in organized crime as proxies for the actual timing of involvement in the criminal group. We note that similar approaches are common in the literature (Blokland et al, 2019;Kleemans & De Poot, 2008;Klement, 2016a;Pedersen, 2018;Van Koppen, De Poot, & Blokland, 2010;Van Koppen, De Poot, Kleemans, et al, 2010). To the best of our knowledge, the possible inherent biases have never been studied or addressed with specific approaches.…”

Exploring Gang Risk Factors Among Urban Nigerian Youths

“…The proliferation of youth gangs fueled by sustained economic depression in Nigeria has led to an increase in the crime rate as more young people resort to gang-like criminal activities such as burglary, extortion, protection rackets, fraud, and political violence to make ends meet (Oloruntimehin, 1992). This is troubling especially as various studies have shown that gang members offend at significantly higher rates than those not involved in gang-related activities (Esbensen, Huizinga & Weiher, 1995;Pyrooz et al, 2016;Pedersen, 2018). Additionally, research has shown that gang members are more likely to commit violent and property crimes (Battin-Pearson et al, 1998).…”