[New aspects of alcohol-induced crime by adolescents and young adults]

Statistical evaluation of data of forensic blood alcohol determinations revealed, that young delinquents (up to 20 years old) represent 11.4% (1981), 13% (1984), and 8.8% (1988) of the total, respectively. Out of them 5% were female delinquents, a number which doubled compared to a study performed during the years 1961-1976. The percentage of accident involvement (about 68%) and of the fleeing the scene cases (about 20%) was constant. Criminal delinquency decreased from 32% to 26%, but unemployed nearly doubled their participation. Young delinquents of the age group up to 16 years exhibited a significant decrease in the percentage of high-blood alcohol levels. Delinquency occurred mainly at weekends between midnight and 4 a.m. The data suggest a changing pattern of drinking behaviour.