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However, for the sociologist this might not be desirable, either ethically - since such behaviour might be interpreted as encouraging people to commit criminal acts - or practically - the police, for example, are likelyI swear I didn't know the radio was stolen, Your Honour... to take a dim view of a sociologist caught shop-lifting or stealing a car.

The plea that "I was only a participant observer doing sociological research" is unlikely to be accepted since by accompanying someone in the commission of a crime you are an accessory to that crime - which is a criminal offence....