Most criminological research has focused on men and patterns of male offending. Consequently, the behavioral and psychological precursors and correlates of female offending remain relatively unknown. The current study examined the early precursors and adult correlates of offending in a sample of high-risk women. Data were drawn from 2 groups of women: (1) a high-risk group (N=86) who had been brought up in institutional care as a result of family discord, and (2) a comparison group (N=97) whose members grew up in the same inner-city area as the parents of the experimental group, but this group of women remained in the care of their families throughout childhood. Participants completed questionnaires measuring childhood behavior problems and were interviewed during their early 20’s and again during their mid- to late-40’s. Interviews focused on the women’s childhoods, housing, work histories, social relationships, marital relationships, parenting, and physical and mental health in adulthood. Results of statistical analyses identified the early precursors of female offending as antisocial behavior, institutional rearing, hyperactivity, and adolescent conduct disorder. Precursors to female offending in later adolescence include socializing with deviant peers and leaving school with no work plans. Adult correlates of female offending were identified as difficulties with mental health, drug use, marriage, and parenting. The findings show that many of the precursors and correlates of male criminality are shared by females. The current study was limited in its ability to elucidate the causal pathways involved in female offending; detailed longitudinal studies are called for to identify causality. Tables, references, appendix