Criminology is concerned with many questions which are inherently longitudinal. For example, what is the life-course of criminal behavior? Is there one general offending pattern or multiple offending patterns over time? Which early risk factors, if any, are strongly predictive of criminal behavior? Can early intervention prevent the development of a criminal career?

Longitudinal research allows examination of within-person relationships over time, and allows the examination of developmental sequences and timing. This volume examines longitudinal research in relation to crime and...