Clear and distinct social types of the violent criminal and swindler were found, which were reasonably close to, or at least not discordant with, criminological-sociological literature. A very negative assessment of the violent criminal was held by respondents, which contrasted with the more positive assessment of the swindler. Differences were also found in respondents' perceptions of the aetiology of violent crime and fraud. However, respondents were punitive toward the violent criminal. The analysis is presented within a framework of emphasizing social typing, the audience and social control. It is argued that the repertoire of social types held by individuals and groups, and the process of social typing, play a central part in the functioning of criminal justice systems and the social construction of social control. (Publisher abstract)