NCJ Number
52345
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1978) Pages: 28-33
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A STUDY OF INDICTABLE OFFENSE CONVICTION RATE IN THE POPULATION OF A CANADIAN PROVINCE IN RELATION TO THE AGE AND SEX PATTERNS OF THE POPULATION ARE REPORTED.
Abstract
STUDIES ARE CITED WHICH CONCLUDE THAT THE 'HIGHEST PERCENTAGES OF ARRESTS FOR AGE YEARS ARE REACHED IN LATE ADOLESCENCE OR YOUNG ADULTHOOD AND DECLINE STEADILY THEREAFTER WITH SUCCESSIVE YEARS.' A STUDY IS ALSO REPORTED TO INDICATE THAT 'SEX STATUS IS OF GREATER STATISTICAL SIGNIFICANCE IN DIFFERENTIATING CRIMINALS FROM NONCRIMINALS THAN ANY OTHER TRAIT.' THIS STATISTICAL STUDY TESTS THE VALIDITY OF THESE CONCLUSIONS BY EXAMINING THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF THE AGE AND SEX COMPOSITION OF CANADIAN PROVINCIAL POPULATIONS ON PROVINCIAL VARIATION IN CRIME RATES. THE DATA FOR THE ANALYSIS CONSIST OF THE CONVICTION RATES FOR INDICTABLE OFFENSES FOR EACH PROVINCE FOR 1968 STANDARDIZED ON THE AGE AND SEX COMPOSITION OF THE CANADIAN POPULATION IN 1968. WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS NOTED, THE MAIN CONCLUSION DRAWN IS THAT THE AGE AND SEX COMPOSITION OF PROVINCIAL POPULATION DOES NOT APPEAR TO AFFECT SUBSTANTIALLY THE RANK ORDERING OF THE PROVINCES ON THE CRUDE CONVICTION RATES. A MORE REFINED TEST WAS USED BY CALCULATING A STANDARDIZED CONVICTION RATE FOR EACH PROVINCE BASED UPON THE AGE AND SEX COMPOSITION OF THE CANADIAN POPULATION IN 1968. THIS TEST THUS PROCEEDED AS IF EACH OF THE PROVINCES HAD THE AGE AND SEX DISTRIBUTION OF THE CANADIAN POPULATION AS A WHOLE IN ORDER TO EQUALIZE THEIR CRIME RISK ON THESE TWO FACTORS. THIS TEST PROCEDURE SHOWED A SLIGHT EFFECT OF AGE AND SEX COMPOSITION ON THE CRIME RATES OF THE PROVINCES, BUT DID NOT ALTER THE RANK ORDERING OF THE PROVINCES ON THE CRUDE CONVICTION RATES. SEVERAL LIMITATIONS IN THE RESEARCH ARE NOTED. THE DATA USED AND DERIVED FROM THE STUDY ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)