Cross-national comparative research on criminal careers, risk factors, crime and punishment

Abstract

This article first reviews cross-national research on criminal careers in London and Stockholm. There were many similarities in the findings. The major difference concerned the distribution over age of the individual offending frequency, which was fairly constant in London but peaked at age 15 in Stockholm. Cross-national research on risk factors for offending is then reviewed, especially comparing London and Pittsburgh. Generally, risk factors were similar in the two countries. Finally, the article reviews trends in crime and punishment in eight countries. Changes in crime rates, according to national victim surveys, were negatively correlated with changes in the probability of conviction. It is concluded that a coordinated programme of cross-national comparative research is needed, involving the collaboration of researchers from different countries.