The Gluecks have established as great a reputation in the field of adult criminality as in delinquency. In fact, their interest in delinquency came after they studied adult criminals for 15 years and discovered that 75 per cent of all their adult offenders had a history of juvenile delinquency.

One of their most significant discoveries is that the crime rate declines at about 30 years of age. "All this seems to point to the effect of 'maturation'--a time of slowing up and more effective emotional and physiological integration." Mrs. Glueck suggests.

To test this observation, the Gluecks are now conducting follow-up studies of the delinquents and non-delinquents whom they first tested at age ten to 17.

Practical Results

The Gluecks' research can be of great practical use. For example, one study of 200 soldiers who had committed military offences indicated that 85 per cent of them would have been denied induction on the basis of Glueck chart scores. The treatment of recalcitrant children can hopefully be undertaken even before school to deflect predicted delinquency. Some judges have indicated that the scores might help them in sentencing juvenile offenders.

But, as the Gluecks themselves have pointed out, the tables must be used with caution. They warn that "prediction tables are not to be applied mechanically as a substitute for clinical judgement."

Currently, about 80 per cent of juvenile offenders are repeaters. The proper use of predictive tables could help to identify those youngsters who need intensive treatment; it may help to separate minor offenders from youngsters who are serious delinquents.

George McGrath, Massachusetts Commissioner of Correction, points out that the Gluecks "were able to find the resources to do the very expensive but vital research involved in following-up their subjects working with agencies which very rarely permitted access to their records. They were quite alone in this field for many years."

Officially Sheldon Glueck retires this year from the teaching faculty of the Law School. Yet, few take this retirement seriously, for the momentum of his accomplishments is so great that his influence will continue to be felt. His research, instead of taking some of his time, will now take all of his time, but many students will still consult with him.

Glueck's skill as a teacher has rested upon his ability to translate his and his wife's research into understandable terms that show a deep perception of human nature. Although he will continue his research, the Law School will have to search long to find someone of as much inspiration and imagination in the field of criminal law.

As Felix Frankfurter said: "The Gluecks have not arrived at the Heavenly City of ultimate answers to the question raised by crime. But they have blazed significant trails. They have been the most fruitful workers in this resistant vineyard."

Gluecks' Biographies

The collected works of the Gluecks comprise over 200 titles, several of which are the classic texts in their fields. The best introduction to their work is Delinquents in the Making, which is a non-technical version of Unravelling Juvenile Delinquency. Currently in preparation is Nature and Nurture in Delinquency, a non-technical account of their findings in Paysique and Delinquency and Family Environment and Delinquency.

Sneldon Glueck, who has been at the law school since 1929, is chairman of the Scientific Committee of the International Society of Criminology and a former vice-president of the American Society of Criminology. Currently he is a member of the Supreme Court's Advisory committee on Rules of Criminal Procedure and of the American Bar Association's Committee on Juvenile Delinquency. He was the official delegate of the U.S. government to the International Prison Congress in 1930 and 1950. After World War II, he was adviser to Justice Robert H. Jackson at the Nuremburg Trials.

The holder of seven degrees, Glueck in 1961 won the prestigious Isaac Ray Award of the American Psychiatric Association. With Mrs. Glueck, he has won the major awards of the United Prison Association of Massachusetts, the Boston Juvenile Court, the Big Brothers of America, and the American Society of Criminology. Both have honorary Doctor of Science degrees from Harvard and are fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Mrs. Glueck is on the Executive Committee of the Judge Baker Guidance Center and the Advisory Editorial Board of the International Journal of Social Psychiatry. She was formerly a member of the Massachusetts State Committee on Action for Mental Health and technical consultant to the White House Conference on Children and Youth. She holds four degrees.

The Gluecks' offices and research center is at 3 Garden Street in Westengard House.