Significance of a single tattoo in dyssocial probands. Statistical comparison of socially maladjustment, male delinquents with and without tattoos
Knecht, T.
Archiv für Kriminologie 201(1-2): 44-54
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9225 PMID: 9541718 Document Number: 494450
Although tattooing is not confined to the circle of sociopaths and delinquents, it is widely known, that criminal offenders always had heightened tendencies towards this kind of body ornamentation. The author makes an attempt to clarify the significance of a single tattoo in a sample of male delinquents by comparing the tattooed and the non-tattooed individuals. In spite of the popular prejudice, the results of this trial show, that delinquents with one tattoo stem from comparatively more favourable familiar backgrounds, are less loaded with mental disorders and delinquency among blood relatives, show better scholastic and professional accomplishments. However, tendencies toward addictive and delinquent behavior were comparable in the two groups.