Assessing the validity of self-reports by gang members: Results from the arrestee drug abuse monitoring program

Vincent Webb, Charles Katz

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

66 Scopus citations

Abstract

Scholars who study criminal and delinquent behavior rely on the self-report method for measuring crime and delinquency. Gang researchers also rely on the self-report method for determining gang involvement and measuring criminal and delinquent behavior of gang members. This study examines disclosure rates of recent drug use by gang members in comparison with their urinalysis outcomes. A substantial body of research indicates that members of the criminally involved population, at least those who get arrested, are less than accurate when reporting recent drug use; however, it does not appear that gang members are different in their reporting than members of the group as a whole. Disclosure rates of gang members did not differ significantly from those of non-gang members. This adds to the cumulative body of evidence that although not perfect, self-reports of illegal behavior are a valid measurement technique in gang research.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)232-252
Number of pages21
JournalCrime and Delinquency
Volume52
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2006

Keywords

  • Gang
  • Self-report
  • Validity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Law

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Assessing the validity of self-reports by gang members: Results from the arrestee drug abuse monitoring program'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this