The Change in Lambda and Predicting Offending

• In Event: Offending Patterns Across the Life Course

Abstract

The rate of offending for active offenders, commonly referred to as lambda, has received considerable attention in the study of the criminal career. Much of this prior study concerns the relationship between lambda and continued active offender status. The current study examines the relationship between lambda and changes in lambda, to future offending. Official records were used to assess whether the time taken between criminal offenses and other characteristics of the criminal career can explain future, general and offense specific offending. The implications of this relationship to the criminal career are discussed.

Author

• Victoria Terranova, University of Northern Colorado