NCJ Number
136047
Date Published
1990
Length
29 pages
Annotation
Written records of interrogations of criminal suspects in Leiden, Netherlands between 1678 and 1794 formed the basis of an analysis of offense patterns for male and female offenders in that impoverished industrial city during that period.
Abstract
Data were gathered on the suspect's name, age, sex, birthplace, address, marital status, children, occupation, spouse's occupation, location and nature of the offense, prior offenses, disposition, and related information. Results revealed that male suspects were involved in 1,266 cases and female suspects in 1,012 cases. The men were accused of 1,638 crimes and the women of 1,198 crimes. The main gender differences in offenses related to moral offenses and violence. Women committed more moral offenses, while men committed more violent offenses. Men were also more likely than women to be involved in public order offenses, but only small differences were found in property offenses. In addition, women tended to commit their crimes alone, whereas men tended to act in groups. Furthermore, short prison sentences were usually given in cases involving violence, drunkenness, and other offenses; 299 men and 188 women were flogged, branded, or physically punished in another way. Moreover, some men received death sentences after a long series of property crimes. Tables, appended methodological information, and 69 reference notes