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Exploratory Analysis of Swedish Street Gangs: Applying the Maxson and Klein Typology to a Swedish Gang Dataset

NCJ Number
241524
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 28 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2012 Pages: 426-445
Author(s)
Amir Rostami; Fredrik Leinfelt; Stefan Holgersson
Date Published
November 2012
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the application of the Maxson and Klein gang typology on a dataset of seven Swedish street gangs.
Abstract
In this study the authors investigated the application of the Maxson and Klein gang typology on a dataset of seven Swedish street gangs. Individual-level data on 239 gang members were analyzed. While some Swedish criminologists maintain that no street gangs exist in Sweden, this research project provides evidence to the contrary. Findings support the utility of the Maxson and Klein typology. Results show that the "compressed gang" was the most common type of street gang in the dataset. This finding is also in concert with other European gang studies, adding further evidence for the applicability of the gang typology. Findings also suggest a similar pattern of gang development and structure to that of American and European street gangs. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.