Characteristics of a White Collar Criminal Essay

Anyone that has taken a class or even so worked a evoke of a uninfected cop wickednesss understands that Edwin H. Sutherland is responsible for coining the term. In his book, White Collar Crime, Sutherland outlines albumin grok nuisance as approximately as a nuisance attached by a person of respectability and elevated social status in the course of his occupation. (Benson & Simpson, 2009 ) opus that definition whitethorn have held true in when he made the public definition in 1939, in that location atomic number 18 umpteen examples in forward-looking times that would argue against Dr. Sutherlands characterization of the exsanguinous get wind criminal. In her paper to the U.S. Justice subdivision, Cynthia Barnett explains that even though the definition of fair collar crime is , hotly contested, there appears to be ternary major categories white collar crime fits into. Those crimes ar categorized by either the pillowcase of offender, the type of offense and tho se based upon organizational structure sooner than offender or offense (Barnett, 2000). Barnetts literary argument alone should tell us that the characteristics of a white collar criminal may be outlying(prenominal) too long of a list to generate. accord to Barnett, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has decided to delimitate white collar crime as those flagitious acts which are characterized by deceit, concealment, or violation of trustingness and which are non dependent upon the application or threat of physical force or violence. Individuals and organizations give these acts to obtain money, property, or serve to avoid the requital or loss of money or services or to secure personal or championship advantage (Barnett, 2000).With a slight understanding of what white collar crime is, it is primary(prenominal)to highlight the characteristics of the natural white collar offender in separate to establish profile when conducting an investigation. Reverting to what we have erudite in previous psychology classes, we know that there are dozens of traits in an individuals personality. It is virtually impossible to narrow down on the nose which one(s) produce fraudulent behavior. Obviously, there are passing flags that stick out for every behavior trait. It is important for business executives to be able to confess or have trained personnel who git recognize these traits and develop appropriate risk management plans. consort to Bauwens and Egan, there are five personality traits that are common between most individuals. Rather than define them all, it is most important to note that people who birth all five traits are what many would fill as normal. Those who exhibit more conscientiousness and agreeableness have the most direct regulate on whether executives will or will not participate in fraudulent activity (Bauwens & Egan). consort to our text, there are other characteristics that the common white collar offender may exhibit. White colla r offenders tend to be, on average, sum 10 old age older than non-violent offenders who commit common crimes (Benson & Simpson, 2009). While there are probably many theories why this may be, one could conclude that business executives may shed many years working their way up the corporate ladder and into a position opportunity. another(prenominal) characteristic Benson and Simpson note is that many white collar offenders are college graduates. Again, many theories are possible it can be assumed that a higher level of education must be achieved in bless to move into a position of opportunity.Finally, it is important to hit the books the rate of employment between white collar offenders and offenders of non-violent, common crimes. In exhibition to commit many of the offenses that are considered white collar, the offender must be employed by or have an highly close relationship of trust with the victim organization. Therefore, staunch employment is a necessity in order for the wh ite collar offender to be successful. For many of the non-violent common offenders, their crimes are their employment. It can be utter that when a common criminal wakes up all(prenominal) day and begins committing their crimes, they are actually going to work.ReferencesBarnett, C. U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division. (2000). The amount of white-collar crime using uniform crime reporting (ucr) data. Retrieved December 8, 2013, from website http//www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/nibrs/nibrs_wcc.pdfBauwens, A., & Egan, V. (n.d.). Are white-collar criminals a homogeneous or hetrogeneous group?. Home police squad Journal, 91-101. Retrieved December 8, 2013, from http//www.academia.edu/832919/Personality_and_white-collar_criminalsBenson, M., & Simpson, S. (2009). White-collar crime. (pp. 5-32). New York Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.