Abstract:

The fact of crime, which is a highly complicated matter, was investigated with an economic perspective in this study. Data gathered through a questionnaire administered to 607 inmates in the criminal institutions in Ankara sought a reply to the essential question whether economically disadvantaged persons are more likely to commit crimes that will allow them to get financial gain in comparison with other crimes. Persons who committed crimes against property were compared with those committing other crimes by means of 9 economic variables created in this context such as level of income, unemployment, tenancy, being below the poverty line, economic level of the surrounding material deprivation. The data collected from questionnaires were analyzed. Parametric and non-parametric analysis methods (Independent T-Test, Independent Ki-Square and Mann-Whitney U Test) were employed in the study. The results of the study showed, as expected, that many of the elements of being economically disadvantaged constitute significant risk factors for the crimes committed against property. It was observed that these risk factors were more distinct in theft crimes. However, no finding was encountered as to the fact that independent variables were risk elements for either fraud or vandalism crimes