Gender Differences in the Distribution of Crime Categories Among Perpetrators in Punjab: A Chi-Square Analysis

Author : Preet Kiran Sekhon, Dr. Aakib Rahman Parray

Abstract : Crime patterns often vary across demographic groups; however, the extent to which gender influences the type of crime committed remains inconsistent across different populations. The present study examined the association between gender and reason for crime among perpetrators in Punjab, India. A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed with a sample of 244 incarcerated perpetrators, including 169 males and 75 females (M_Age = 33.32 years, SD= 8.05). Crime categories included murder, rape, offenses under the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (NDPS) act, and embezzlement. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test of independence were used to examine gender-based differences in crime categories. The findings indicated that NDPS -related offenses were the most common among both male and female perpetrators, followed by murder, whereas rape and embezzlement were comparatively less frequent. However, the association between gender and reason for crime was not statistically significant, χ²(3) = 3.44, p = .328, with a small effect size (cramer's v = .119), suggesting that gender had minimal influence on the distribution of crime categories in the present sample. The findings highlight the importance of focusing on broader social and contextual determinants of criminal behaviour rather than gender alone when developing correctional interventions and rehabilitation strategies.

Keywords : Gender, crime categories, perpetrators, NDPS, murder, chi-square analysis, Punjab, Correctional Research.

Conference Name : International Conference on Psychology, Psychiatry and Mental Health Policy (ICPPMP - 26)

Conference Place : Goa, India

Conference Date : 4th Oct 2026