PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR BASED ON AGE AND HEIGHT: A CASE STUDY OF INMATE DEMOGRAPHIC IN HOMABAY PRISON KENYA

Objective: This study explored whether attributes such as —age and height—can help anticipate criminal behaviour among inmates in Homa Bay County, Kenya. It aimed to assess how effective age and height contributes to crime prediction. Theoretical Framework: The study was guided by criminology theories linking demographic variables to crime typologies, particularly the age–crime curve (Farrington, 2003; Ngugi & Mwangi, 2020) and studies associating physical traits such as height with aggressive crimes (Adeyemi & Olatunji, 2019). These frameworks supported the hypothesis that age and height jointly influence the likelihood and type of criminal activity. Conceptual Framework: The study was anchored on hypothesized relationships between inmate demographic variables (age and height) and the type of crime committed, as well as how these variables can be used to build predictive models for criminal behavior. Method: a desktop review and quantitative data analysis design was adopted. Target population include 290 records of inmate prisoners from Homa Bay prison. Data collection tools included a record of reported crimes. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and visualizations to examine how offences are distributed across age and height groups. Results and Discussion: the study showed a positive relationship between age and height, whereby age proved to be a stronger predictor, with offences peaking around age 28, while height plays a secondary role, showing modest associations with violent crimes at certain ranges (notably around 6.8 feet). Research Implications: The results provide valuable insights for law enforcement profiling, youth-focused preventive interventions, and rehabilitation planning in Kenya. Predictive models incorporating age and height could help reduce mistaken identity, strengthen criminal investigations, and guide correctional programming. Originality/Value: This study contributes original empirical evidence from a developing county, addressing gaps in criminal identification and supporting strategic decision-making in crime prediction and rehabilitation measures.