The more intelligent of the mafiosi and racketeers NEVER tattooed themselves. And any tattoos that you may see on their arms are ones that they may have gotten as young kids, before their affiliation with Cosa Nostra, and an understanding of just how detrimental tattoos are in that life. Why you ask?? I will explain the thought patten here. At least as far as I was taught as a kid..

You never know where life takes you. You never know if someday you will have to "go on the lam." Because of that you wanna try and keep a low-key image, and avoid any identifying markings which of course includes tattoos. They are like wearing a neon advertisement on your arms or wherever you place them.

When you get arrested the police department, FBI, etc., takes note of any tattoos, scars, or other obvious identifying markings for this very reason. Those notes are placed in your yellow jacket.

If and when at some later date you ever commit a crime, go on the lam, or are being sort for some other reason, these markings will help LE nab you. Someone in John Q. Public looking to be a hero may notice your tattoo and report a sighting of you. At airports, docks, passing through police check points, country to country traveling, etc, etc.

Not to mention depending upon you status in life, and the circles that you travel in, it may not be in keeping with the image you are trying to project to whomever it may be. Arm tattoos on a longshoreman, trucker, or street hood may be expected and in keeping with how you view these type people.

But if you're trying to infiltrate big business, white collar activities, or other such institutions it may make you stand out in a way that you'd prefer it didn't.... and its FOREVER! Once on your body, you're cooked. It ain't coming off. At least without a big mess.
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So that is the thinking behind the "smarter" and more savvy of the mob set.
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I will give a very personal example of this by what happened many years ago to a buddy of mine who had gone with a few fellas to do something. While they went "in" to do what had to be done, my friend waited at the wheel of his car. It was a hot summers day and he had all the windows down, motor running, waiting on them so they could take off. He had his left arm leaning out of the window while he waited. (he was heavily tatted on both arms btw).

The incident went very bad, and it became a major investigation. A very serious one at that. When investigators questioned some people who happened to be on the street at the time while this was going on, some people who were hanging nearby ID'd the guy at the wheel. They gave a vague general description that could have described a thousand guys, but they also told about the very distinct tattoos the getaway driver had sported.... by the way, he had also used his own automobile. (Not a smart move).

Although they had crushed and disposed of the car, the car and an address was tracked down. When LE rang his doorbell and questioned him, he claimed the car had been stolen and he had no involvement or knowledge of what went on, or who was involved. They later put him in a lineup. The end result?

Those citizens confirmed his ID by his tattoos. He probably could have beat the case on their vague facial description alone (it was very blurry). But those damn tattoos were so distinctive, coupled with his general features, and the auto that was tied directly to him, that he got sunk!

A lesson learned (the hard way)!