According to trajectory theory, what is one principle about career criminals?

Trajectory theory emphasizes that criminal behavior is not uniform and can take various forms over time. One of its key principles is that career criminals can develop specific patterns or specialties in their unlawful activities. This viewpoint acknowledges that individuals may not only engage in a range of offenses throughout their lives but may also find particular niches within the criminal world that align with their skills or circumstances.

For instance, some career criminals may become adept at specific types of crime, such as theft, drug trafficking, or cybercrime, which can allow them to operate more effectively and often successfully in those areas. This specialization can be influenced by a variety of factors, including opportunity, environment, and individual characteristics, such as certain skills or social connections.

While it is true that some criminals may start their activities at a young age, or may predominantly commit certain types of crimes such as property crimes, trajectory theory highlights the diversity of pathways and specializations rather than implying there is a uniform experience across all career criminals.