Description of female criminality in Colombia: risk factors and criminal motivation

Abstract

In Colombia, like anywhere worldwide, an increasing involvement of women in criminal behaviors has been witnessed. In this sense, an interdisciplinary team organized by the OBSER DIJIN investigative group has furnished useful facts based on evidences obtained from the application of investigation techniques, the main result of which was an approach to both the dimension and the features of this phenomenon where elements for the formulation of a criminal policy in Colombia were contributed. The study included quantitative and qualitative tools for the gathering of information and further analysis. National Police databases were used to obtain records on women captured in Colombia, as well as information provided by the National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (INPEC) with respect to convicted and imprisoned females. For the purpose of inquiring into some variables of interest, a representative sample was taken to which a three-category structure questionnaire was applied as to obtain, among others: socio-demographic features, crime characterization, and motivations for the perpetration of crimes. Discussion groups were organized for the relevant analysis of these categories in the areas of family environment, criminal careers, cost-benefit considerations for the commission of some kind of crimes, likelihood of recidivism, and the perception of women involved in several criminal activities, in order to delve into factors associated with their decisions and personal motivations having influenced them.