NCJ Number
114151
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 28 Issue: 3 Dated: (Summer 1988) Pages: 396-401
Date Published
1988
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This empirical study examines whether burglars are more aware than householders of a property's vulnerability to a successful burglary because they can 'read' environmental cues that make a property easy to enter.
Abstract
Two groups of subjects were studied: 15 male burglars from a prison in Cork, Ireland and 15 householders from a university community. The subjects were asked to examine a simulated neighborhood environment created on a map. Four houses in the simulated environment were placed side by side; a fifth house was detached and set in an environment of trees, bushes, and gardens. The properties reflected four categories of cues used by burglars to select homes to burglarize: home layout, visible signs of wealth on or near the property, occupancy, and degree of security. Both groups of subjects agreed that the detached house was more vulnerable to burglary. However, the burglars were more sensitive to escape routes and the absence of security than were the householders. The burglars were also more aware of the vulnerability of houses in corner positions and of the significance of lack of security. Burglars were more distinctive and systematic in assessing the houses as potential sites for a burglary. 5 references.