ABSTRACT Background: Criminological research has consistently sought to identify factors that differentiate criminal populations by crime type. Violent and nonviolent offenders differ in their psychological profiles, personality traits, and antisocial belief systems. Understanding these differences may help identify factors associated with violent criminal behavior and inform rehabilitation strategies. Aim: To compare personality traits and antisocial beliefs between violent and nonviolent offenders and identify predictors of violent offending. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed 211 (190 male and 21 female) inmates at a Central Jail in Pune. The inmates were individually interviewed using a sociodemographic proforma, which included details of offense, the Big Five Inventory-10, and Antisocial Beliefs Scale to compare violent and nonviolent offenders. Statistical analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Violent offenders were significantly older (31.94 ± 11.55 years) compared to those incarcerated for nonviolent crimes (31.9 ± 11.5 vs 27.4 ± 11.1 years, P < 0.01) and had higher extraversion scores and greater criminal history. Nonviolent offenders showed significantly higher rates of victimization, childhood abuse, and egocentric beliefs. Multiple regression analysis identified lower egocentrism, higher intimate beliefs, higher extraversion, and older age as independent predictors of violent crime. Conclusion: Findings suggest nonviolent offending is associated with trauma history and instrumental, manipulative antisocial cognitions, while violent offending reflects impulsive, extraversion-driven behavior. These distinct personality and belief profiles underscore the necessity for tailored correctional interventions addressing the reactive tendencies of violent offenders and trauma-informed approaches for nonviolent offenders.
