NCJ Number
87530
Date Published
1982
Length
151 pages
Annotation
This book examines the web of influences affecting individuals committing crimes of deception (including treason) and theft, as well as society's attempts to detect such crimes.
Abstract
A discussion of procedures for detecting deceit (such as the polygraph) concludes that detection can never be accomplished without error and that the amount of error individuals can afford is a function of their resources. Treason is one of the oldest and most strongly condemned crimes of deception. The author surveys American, Canadian, and British laws against treason, as well as individual and collective motives for committing this crime. The characteristics of several spies and traitors illustrate their diversity and generally high social status -- traitors cannot be detected by appearance. The text identifies different types of fraud, including embezzlement, forgery, arson, and confidence games. Motivation for business and political fraud is a two-sided phenomenon: the pull of money and power coupled with the push from financial pressures. Reducing the profitability of this type of crime may have stronger effects on crime rates than increasing punishment. Theft by force or stealth satisfies a complex group of desires -- for excitement, independence, property, and gratified hostility. Yet the occurrence of shoplifting, employee theft, or burglary varies with opportunities to steal. A few tables, approximately 360 references, and subject and name indexes are provided. The text can be used singly or in conjunction with three other volumes on criminal careers. For these volumes, see NCJ 87528-29 and 87531.