Characteristics of a White Collar Criminal Essay

Anyone that has taken a class or even worked a hint of a flannel-hot thieve crimes understands that Edwin H. Sutherland is responsible for coining the term. In his book, White Collar Crime, Sutherland defines white collar crime as approximately as a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation. (Benson & Simpson, 2009 ) While that definition may have held true in when he make the public definition in 1939, there be many examples in modern times that would argue against Dr. Sutherlands characterization of the white collar criminal. In her paper to the U.S. Justice Department, Cynthia Barnett explains that even though the definition of white collar crime is , hotly contested, there appears to be three major categories white collar crime fits into. Those crimes ar categorized by either the type of wrongdoer, the type of offense and those based upon organizational structure rather than offender or offense (Barnett, 2000). Barn etts statement alone should tell us that the characteristics of a white collar criminal may be far too long of a list to generate.According to Barnett, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has decided to define white collar crime as those illegal acts which are characterized by deceit, concealment, or violation of trust and which are not dependent upon the application or threat of physical force or violence. Individuals and organizations commit these acts to obtain money, property, or services to avoid the payment or loss of money or services or to secure personal or business advantage (Barnett, 2000).With a slight understanding of what white collar crime is, it is importantto highlight the characteristics of the typical white collar offender in order to establish visibility when conducting an investigation. Reverting to what we have learned in previous psychology classes, we know that there are dozens of traits in an individuals personality. It is virtually undoable to narro w down exactly which one(s) produce fraudulent behavior. Obviously, there are red flags that stick out for every behavior trait. It is important for business executives to be able to recognize or have trained personnel who can recognize these traits and develop appropriate risk management plans.According to Bauwens and Egan, there are volt personality traits that are common between most individuals. Rather than define them all, it is most important to note that people who possess all five traits are what many would consider as normal. Those who exhibit more conscientiousness and agreeableness have the most direct influence on whether executives go out or will not participate in fraudulent activity (Bauwens & Egan).According to our text, there are other characteristics that the common white collar offender may exhibit. White collar offenders tend to be, on average, sum 10 years older than non-violent offenders who commit common crimes (Benson & Simpson, 2009). While there are like ly many theories why this may be, one could conclude that business executives may spend many years working their way up the corporate rill and into a position opportunity. Another characteristic Benson and Simpson note is that many white collar offenders are college graduates. Again, many theories are possible it can be faux that a higher level of education must be achieved in order to move into a position of opportunity.Finally, it is important to consider the rate of craft between white collar offenders and offenders of non-violent, common crimes. In order to commit many of the offenses that are considered white collar, the offender must be employed by or have an extremely close relationship of trust with the victim organization. Therefore, steady employment is a necessity in order for the white collar offender to be successful. For many of the non-violent common offenders, their crimes are their employment. It can besaid that when a common criminal wakes up each 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 measurement of white-collar crime using uniform crime reporting (ucr) data. Retrieved declination 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 Team 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.