Why do criminals always have tattoos?

Question

All the wanted posters and news bulletins identify crimials by their tattoos.

If you wanted to be a criminal, shouldn't you avoid getting tattoos so noone can identify you?

Answer 1

Many think its looks good, others think it makes them look tougher...either way it makes them much easier to identify, so fine by me!

Answer 2

They are very much into art and you know art gets stolen in or out of jail. Some have short and long term memory problems and it helps in remembering names, places, pets, grocery list and that sort of stuff.

For many people it is just away to express themselves. Kind of logo like.

Answer 3

Because when you're in prison with your head shaved, you pretty much look like everyone else.The tattoo gives you some identity. Also, it's boring in prison, and getting tattooed gives you something to do, and the tattoo and the hepatitis gives you something to remember those good time by.

And you're right. When you set out on a life of crime, avoid getting a tattoo. You should also avoid being fingerprinted, which means you should avoid being arrested, which means....  Well shoot!

Answer 4

apparently according to you and a few others who answered this I must be a criminal or just think I am cool right  cuz thats obviously the only thing a tattoo could mean... PLEASE THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK

Answer 5

i believe criminals have tattoos because when they're in prison  they have nothin else to do and when they run out of paper to draw on they just draw on some random dude...But to be honest, i dont think its just criminals that have tattoos. I know people who have tattoos and they're not criminals...

Answer 6

I'm not sure why criminals have tattoos,

but i have mine because it is my way of expressing myself.

I have 10 tattoos and I'm not a criminal.

Some people get them as a remembrance to someone or something special that happened in their lives.

Answer 7

To look "Cool"..

Answer 8

most are identified not just by tattoos, but lack of dental hygiene and the even more mysterious lack of hair care products.

Answer 9

KASSIE K,

THOU SHALT NOT WIN ANY LOGIC CONTESTS.

Answer 10

That is the main reason they are criminals. They don't think ahead!

Answer 11

Because in prison, people make money by doing tattoo art.  It has symbolism to it.  In prison, short-timers tattoos lifers's name on their arm, or when an inmate dies.  Mostly though it has to do with symbolism

Answer 12

i don't know that most criminals plan out getting caught enough to not express themselves through tattoos. plus, some tattoos could be gang related for sure and they have no choice but to get those.

i have big tattoos on my arms and i am neither scary or a criminal, but if a cop was looking for me, they would say, look for the big russian nesting doll on her arm!

Answer 13

Hey Jili, I got that as an email unreal right! I bet we will get one here soon! You know for all the murders, baby rapers and evil tax evaders!

As for the tattoos they want to look pretty for their new boyfriends!

Answer 14

It's obvious you have no idea what goes on in the "other"world.

Tattoos serve many purposes gang affiliation, is one of them status with in the gang, as well as a number of other things that the civilians would not understand.  It is a very complex sub culture as well as a very dangerous one.

Answer 15

I think it depends on how good of a criminal the person is. A criminal mastermind may avoid getting tattoos or anything that may identify them but a common criminal probably wouldn't give it much thought.

Answer 16

i guess tattoos make people of a sense of 'bad-ness'

Answer 17

Because they have remorseful souls and really want to be caught, and they know the tats will aid in their identification and capture. That was truly heartwarming, eh? (Nah...They want to go to the new prison shown in the link below).

http://www.snopes.com/photos/architectur...

Answer 18

ahhh..excellent point.  However, I am quite suspicious that the criminal behavior comes as a result of the tattoo....must be something in the ink.  ;-)

That...and, well, most criminals are stupid.