ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the key findings on the exploration and explanation of self-reported delinquency trajectories in the German prospective panel study Crime in the modern city (Crimoc). It outlines the study with regard to design, theoretical framework and assumptions regarding the explanation and courses of delinquent behaviour during adolescence. The chapter considers the study's socio-demographic and penal circumstances. It explains basic information and descriptive statistics for the panel data and measures used in the current analysis. The chapter discusses the statistical methods to explore and explain distinct trajectories of self-reported delinquency. Finally, the presentation of the results of the statistical analysis is divided in two parts: First, the basic pattern of delinquent trajectories during adolescence and young adulthood is described on the basis of a latent class growth analysis (LCGA). Second, patterns of theoretically relevant variables representing social values, social bonds and attitudes towards delinquency are used to explain membership in a particular class of offenders.
