Perpetrators, Female

Description of Female Perpetrators Cross-Culturally

In the United States, according to the Uniform Crime Reports (2008), adult females accounted for approximately 1.9 million arrests for index crimes (e.g., murder, rape, robbery, burglary, sexual assault, larceny-theft, arson, and motor vehicle theft). Compared to males, the arrest rate is substantially lower, as adult males experienced approximately 6 million arrests for index crimes. Specifically, females were arrested for approximately 25 percent of index crimes, and males were arrested for approximately 75 percent of index crimes. The Uniform Crime Reports (2008) state that arrest trends for adult females has increased (i.e., 11.6 percent) since 1999; however, the arrest trends for juvenile females has decreased (i.e., 7.8 percent) since 1999. In terms of race, the Uniform Crime Reports (2008) indicate that 69.2 percent of those arrested were white, 28.3 percent were black, and the remaining 2.4 percent were other races (i.e., American Indian/Alaskan Native or Asian/Pacific Islander).

It is important to note that while Caucasian offenders were arrested more, a disproportionate numbers of African Americans were arrested given their population numbers in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2007), African Americans represent approximately 13 percent of the total U.S. population. Thus, with 28.3 percent of all arrests attributed to African Americans in 2008, their arrest rate is not proportionate with their population numbers. However, findings from self-report criminal surveys do not support the official statistics. Results of self-report criminal surveys reveal that Caucasians and African Americans report similar levels of involvement in criminality regardless of gender.

In regard to age, the majority of those arrested in 2008 were overage. However, researchers have long identified an age-crime curve, wherein those who commit crimes are more likely to be between the ages of 16 and 24. The relationship between age and crime is consistent for both genders.

Female perpetrators of crime are more likely to commit property crimes as opposed to violent crimess. Females are more likely to be involved in robbery, burglary, and larceny-theft crimes. When females do commit a violent crime, it is usually directed at a relative or an intimate. Females are also likely to engage in drug offenses. More often than not, females are not the sellers of drugs but rather the “mules” or carrier of drugs for a boyfriend or spouse. Additionally, a female's use of illegal drugs often contributes to her arrest.

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