CRIME AS A HOBBY - TAKING AN INVOLUNTARY DISCOUNT ON EXPENSIVE WINES

Criminologists tend to associate themselves with one of several school s of thought concerning the etiology of crime: classical; pathological ; or one of the several sociological perspectives such as strain/anomi e, critical/conflict, structural functionalism, social disorganization , symbolic interaction/labeling, and social and cultural support. None of these schools appear to have a place in their domain for a crime h obbyist. Criminal typologies that address specific criminal behavior o ften identify a criminal type known as the occasional property offende r and describe him/her as crude, unsophisticated, unknowledgeable, and involved with inexpensive items or, in more recent work, as a delight ed scofflaw. This study examines a crime hobbyist who is serious about his pasttime, who carries it off with aplomb, sophistication, and at considerable cost to the victim. This study is intended to stimulate t hought concerning the nature of typologies generally, as well as to pr ovide a basis for possible future studies regarding the realm of speci alized criminals who have rarely come to the attention of the police o r the courts.