The discussion notes that most of the minority groups studied in Great Britain have their origins in the postwar immigration of people from countries of the former British Empire, particularly the Asian groups from the Indian subcontinent and the black groups from the West Indies. The studies are patchy and unreliable. However, they have suggested three types of explanations for the apparent overinvolvement of black persons in offending in comparison to white persons and in contrast to the Asians. These explanations focus on (1) socioeconomic factors, (2) discrimination by the criminal justice system, and (3) ethnic-specific differences. Each of the three explanations should receive further research attention. Tables, notes, and 47 references