ABSTRACT
It is not possible in the space available to discuss the various types of classifications that have emerged within criminology. It was observed, however, as long ago as 1975 by Mary Mackintosh, that most attempts at classifying types of criminal organisation have chosen lay categories, been dominated by correctional concerns and been overly influenced by the psychological characteristics of offenders. There has been little change since then. Two exceptions are D. R. Cressy's approach (1972), and the work of Mackintosh herself. Both authors treat the organisation of professional crime as "geared to the conduct of the criminal activities in question" an approach further developed here through the application of what has been termed 'Cultural Theory'. This author has previously applied Cultural Theory to the classification of workplace crime, the amateur crime of ordinary people in ordinary jobs (1982); an area that, too, had been dominated by lay definitions, correctional interests and an overly influential concern with the psychological make-up of practitioners. It is believed that the application of Cultural Theory to crime more widely interpreted, will bypass these partial truths and that its understanding will benefit from the further uses and developments to the theory that have occurred since 1982.
