THESE SIXTEEN FAMILIES WERE CHOSEN FOR STUDY FROM LISTS SUBMITTED TO THE RESEARCHERS BY SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. THE COSTS TO THE COMMUNITY OCCASIONED BY THESE FAMILIES THROUGH THEIR USE OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT/ CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES IS ESTIMATED. THE FAMILY TREES OF THE SUBJECT FAMILIES WERE DRAWN BOTH QUANTITATIVELY AND QUALITATIVELY TO COMPARE THEIR USE OF THE VARIOUS CORRECTIVE, WELFARE, AND SOCIAL SERVICES. THE AUTHORS CONCLUDE THAT HIGH CRIME INVOLVEMENT IS CHARACTERISTIC OF HIGH WELFARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES INVOLVEMENT.