The Craftiness of Criminality by Randy Gonzalez 1

The Craftiness of Criminality

By Randy Gonzalez

Clever criminals hide inside each of us. Like the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing, human nature
easily spans the realm from the normal to the abnormal. People are capable of anything, both good and bad.
Regardless of the socio-economic status, criminal behavior can cross any social boundary lines. Crimes
large and small happen every day. Just because some are minor doesn’t mean they’re less important. Such
incidents are still crimes. For most of us though, the criminal is the other guy. Not us of course. We’re
quick to point the finger, gossip and pass judgment. Roll our eyes, stick out tongue and shoot a finger,
everyone dislikes someone. Holy virtues are always at war with deadly sins. We don’t like to let on that the
only reason we’re not him or her is because we didn’t get caught. Although, in every day life, we’ve
probably had some similar thought. Motives, intentions and proclivities run deep in the dark recesses of the
human brain. Sometimes, we call it the mind, an illusion the brain chemistry creates. Our perception of
criminal behavior is a conception based on denial of our complicity in self-conceit. At the same time, some
of us make choices, albeit poor ones, to plan, execute and carry out own desires, urges and yearnings.
However, once apprehended, a myriad of excuses surface from that personal inner sanctum of cunning
craftiness. Yes, we’re sneaky, sly and shrewd. Some of us are really good at it.
From running stop signs to cheating on taxes, or drugging a date for sex, we’d do anything if we thought
we’d get away with it. Wily and devious, the human cerebral processes fantasize an amazing range of
possibilities. Our entire entertainment industry, from the news media to public policy, offers escapism in
one form or another. The more tragic the story the better the ratings. Fact is traded for fiction and myth
becomes reality. Not too long ago, responsibility and accountability became the twin relics of lost ethical
principles. Moral absolutes have been replaced. Precepts of morality are quickly traded for easy answers
and comfortable feelings. Instead toughening up, we search for ways to explain away the failure of
leadership, a crisis of integrity or so called lapses of judgment. Politicians, the press and the priestly class
know these sleight of hand tactics all too well. Throughout society, at every level, we’ve covered our
tracks. There are so many more psychological ailments than ever before. When push comes to shove, we’ll
find some reason to rationalize the heinous commission of injury to another. The age of hypocrisy, double-
speak and passing the blame has fallen on contemporary society. In short, we can justify anything, concoct
conspiracies and slip away quietly while no one is watching.
As a public, we love a good mystery, brazen tragedy or major crisis. We’ll shut down an interstate
system just to get a glimpse of roadside carnage. So often, we cleverly overlook our own ability to make
decisions, select alternatives and otherwise exercise the freedom of our willfulness. When it comes to
committing crimes, criminals are no different than the rest of us. Behavior is one of making choices.
Elementary issues relate to rational exercises of personal freedom. From ideation to commission, criminals
premeditate their actions into self-gratifying activities.1

1
Schmallenger, F., Criminology Today – Fourth Edition, (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson-Prentice Hall, 2006), page
107-108;
The Craftiness of Criminality by Randy Gonzalez 2

Being crafty, clever and cunning, some criminals, like the rest of population, are better skilled than
others. Sly and devious, perpetrators of criminal behavior are people who’ve made choice to break the law.
They’re self-centeredness is a primary characteristic of their overall personality. From psychology to
psychopathology, the continuum is one of connectivity to the inner urges of self-indulgent proclivities.
Trespassing across the boundaries of another is a breach by which perpetrator find alluring, tempting and
seductive. To them, other people are a means to an end. It’s a matter of getting what they want, when they
want it and where ever they can get it. Their intended victim is an objective. They’ll stalk, hunt and prey on
someone or some thing they perceive belongs to them. Criminals go after targets of opportunity, given the
selected environmental conditions, and abilities for personal gain. The challenge, temptation and
enticement relate to individual motives, inclinations and desires. Aware of the risks, they take the steps
necessary to achieve their goals. Objectives depend on the skill-set of the mindset.2
Like the rest of us, criminals apply their talents, abilities and capacities to the crime that fits their needs.
From political corruption, to corporate embezzlement, to armed robbery and murder, we all have potentials
for committing a range of anti-social behaviors. While some commit infractions, others commit murder.
Yet, the inherent motivations are the same. It’s all about personal gain, such as love or money, and the
variations of these two basic themes. On occasion, it could be power, dominance and control that turn one
on. Gives excitement to the senses and provokes the acquisition of the objective in question. Or, the love of
self or obsessive possession of another person. Just depends on individual ideation, fantasy and motivation.
Within this secret realm of the fantasy, there is the sowing of expectation to extend into the real world.
Ideation loves the fruition of the subconscious into the reality of the conscious. From inside these darkened
reaches comes the intention of carrying out a criminal act.
Criminals see themselves as clever, creative and competent within the sphere of their criminality. But,
then again, don’t we all dream of getting away with some unconventional activity? Display our arrogance
in a number of ways, means and motions? Or, coming into possession of something for nothing? While
some of us divert ourselves into acceptable diversions, those who don’t prefer the deviance of crime. We
chose what we do and know why we do it. People don’t suddenly one day up and “snap”, “go off the deep
end”, or “fly off the handle”. The feelings inside have been building, plotting and scheming over a period
of time. Premeditation is a uniquely human activity. By reason and rationality, we pursue our goals for a
purpose. Likewise, so does the person who chooses to accept a bribe, carry out treason or report fraudulent
news stories. Similar to other endeavors, criminality spans the spectrum of crimes of choice. While some
may have a preferred method of operation, they are capable of changing, adapting and altering the nature of
their criminality. As such, the mysteries of the mental processes are more complex than we can predict. The
problem of predictability is compounded by the fact that we all share a heritage. The criminal inclination is
part of human nature. To know what a criminal looks like, all one has to do is look in the mirror.3

2
Wilson, C., Clues! A History of Forensic Detection, (New York, NY: Warner Books, Inc., 1989), pages 371-372;
3
Yochelson, S., Samenow, S. E., The Criminal Personality- Volume 1: A Profile for Change, (New York, NY: Jason
Aronson, 1976), pages 220-221;
The Craftiness of Criminality by Randy Gonzalez 3

For the individual, deviating from accepted social norms harbors seductive possibilities. The sensual
transcends the sexual and evolves into the spiritual realm of our thinking processes. We make it so, by
virtue of our choices. Inherent in the design of human nature is the propensity to depart from the rules by
acts of disobedience. That is, of course, if we choose to do so. Likewise, we can agree not to deviate. From
the allegory of the first fall, to the perceptions of postmodern society, allusions abound in the metaphorical
depictions of free-will selectivity. Yet, we ignore the fine detail. Bottom line, conscious decisions are made
to do things we want to do. Cleverly, we seek out repetitive behaviors, seeking the pleasurable delights in
the gain we obtain. The core of our essential personality harbors the contents of thoughts, fantasies and
desires. We cloak them is a myriad of deceptions. Fooling everyone, from family members to authorities.
When caught, we fabricate a mystery. Tell tales of tall stories. Find as many excuses as we can. But, in the
end, we have to realize you don’t catch criminality like the common cold.
On a simpler level, we think we’re crafty in our criminality. Misbehavior becomes an attractive
alternative attached to the libidinous notions of our sexuality. Instead of the boredom of “law abiding”
community service, our clever sense of ourselves brazens the transgressions of cross the lines. Producing
the sensations of a psychic “high”, the craft of criminality provides the release of pent-up desires. Hidden
notions of private motivations. Astute, shrewd and devious, people play roles. Posture in public and private
performances to bring out their inner thoughts. Test the reality of the real-world from within the depths of
mental proclivities. But, not completely. Only the tip of the iceberg ever emerges above the surface. In the
process, they fool the best of us. From psychics to psychologists, from profilers to politicians, cops and the
community, the con job pervades the public policies of societal institutions. Acting out “stupidity” in public
allows people to escape responsibility. We project wishful thinking. In the vicarious witness of a bizarre
heinous act, we rush to judgment. Pull out the straightjackets and conclude only a “crazy” person does
things like that. Yeah, crazy like a fox.4
The craft of criminality has fostered whole industries of various “schools of thought”. Some are
innovative, creative and some are ridiculous. All the while, most of us miss the point. We overlook the
decidedly dangerous dark side of humanity. People can be cunning, sly and devilish. They can change, alter
and transform their thinking, behavior and methods of operation. And, from an investigative standpoint, our
hope is that we’re cleverer and craftier than the criminals think they are. Or, for that matter, we got to be
better at “fighting crime” than they think we are. Criminal arrogance views the rest of us “law abiding
souls” as being foolish, gullible and naïve. We have to follow the evidence trail. And, perform our criminal
behavioral assessments by careful crime scene analysis, astute investigative follow-up and determined
innovative processes. Caution must be exercised in the face of quick fix fads of contemporary fiction
instead the facts. Our theories and conclusions must adapt to changing situations, circumstances and pursue
the technology affecting forensic evidence. People aren’t necessarily stupid, even though they act that way.
But, they do make mistakes and rely on our misconceptions about criminal behavior. The craftiness of
criminality is the sleight of hand magic of postmodern society.

4
Siegel, L. J., Criminology – The Core – Third Edition, (Belmont, CA: Thomson-Wadsworth, 2008), page 78;