Certified Fraud Examiner Practice

The term "white-collar crime" was coined by Edwin H. Sutherland in 1939 during a lecture he delivered to the American Sociological Society. Sutherland used this term to describe crimes that are committed by individuals in positions of power and trust, often in the context of their occupation. He emphasized that these crimes, which can include fraud, embezzlement, and insider trading, typically do not involve violence and tend to be committed by individuals who have a significant degree of respectability and high social status. This classification highlighted the seriousness of non-violent crimes that occur within business and professional settings, which can have severe negative impacts on society and the economy.

The other individuals mentioned did contribute to discussions about crime or business practices, but they did not define or coin the term "white-collar crime" as Sutherland did. Understanding Sutherland's work is critical for grasping the social and legal implications of non-violent crimes committed by individuals in authority, making his contribution foundational in the field of criminology and fraud examination.