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ABSTRACT
This study examines Uniform Crime report data for the years from 1972 to 1989. It uses arrest data to analyze patterns and changes in the arrests of offenders aged 55 years and older. It presents arguments that age is an important correlate of crime and provides support for traditional theories of age and criminality. Findings show an overall decrease in total arrests for the elderly and increases in arrests for index crimes, property and violent crimes that are below those of the general population. Despite a 27% increase in the elderly population from 1970 to 1987, there has been no concomitant increase in arrests of elderly offenders. Fears of a geriatric crime wave, brought on by the continuing growth of the older segment of the American population, are unfounded.
