1 Flashcards
The body of knowledge regarding crime as a social phenomena.
Criminology
As an interdisciplinary science that gathers and analyzes data on various aspects of crime and criminal behavior.
Criminology
Two Criminologist who define criminology
Edwin Sutherland
Donald Cressey
Signify the use of the scientific method in criminology.
Verified principles
An essential part of criminology
Interdisciplinary
The most important areas of interest to Criminologist
(Siegel, 2012)
1.Crime as a social phenomenon.
- The process of making laws
- Breaking laws and reacting toward the breaking of laws.
- Development of a body of general and verified principles.
Criminologist believe that individual traits and characteristics may play some role in the cause of criminals’ antisocial behavior, most believe that social factors are the root cause of crime.
Crime as a social phenomenon
Sutherland and Cressey’s definition recognizes the association between crime and the criminal law and shows how the law defines crime
How and why laws are created and why some are strengthened, and others eliminated is of great interest to Criminologists.
The process of making laws
The purpose of criminology is to understand both the onset of crime and the most effective methods for it’s elimination.
Why do people illegal acts?
Breaking laws and reacting toward the breaking of laws
Sutherland and Cressey recognize that criminology is a social science and Criminologist must use the scientific method.
Development of a body of general and verified principles
Principal Divisions of criminology
- Sociology of laws
- Criminal Etiology
- Penology
Attempts atva scientific analysis of the condition under which penal/criminal laws develop as a process of formal social control.
Sociology of Law
Attempts at a analysis of the causes of crimes
Criminal Etiology
Concerned with the control and prevention of crime and the treatment of offenders
Penology
7Nature of Criminology
- It is not pure science
- Its is Applied science
- Social science
- Crime detection
- Involves Government Agencies
- It is Dynamic
- It is culture bound
- Has not acquired universal validity and acceptance
- Not stable and varies from one time and place to another
It is not a pure science
- Anthropology
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Law
- Public
- Administration
- Education
It is Applied science
- Chemistry
- Legal medicine
- Mathematics
- Ballistics
- Polygraphy
- Questioned Document Examination
- Dactyloscopy
Crime Detection
- The family
- The church and religion
- Private charitable and welfare organization
- Civic clubs and organization
- Private and public schools
Social science
- Legislative bodies and law makers
- Law enforcement agencies
- Court and prosecution areas of government
- Correctional institution
- Public charitable and social agencies
- Public welfare agencies
Involvea Government Agencies
- New knowledge is discovered.
- Technology is continuously upgraded.
- Social conditions change from time to time.
It is Dynamic and it is Culture bound
6 Major perspective of Criminology
- Classical/Choice Perspective
- Biological/Psychological
Perspective - Structural Perspective
- Process Perspective
- Conflic Perspective
- Development Perspective
Classical/Choice Perspective
Situational Forces
CRIME is a function of free will and personal choice. PUNISHMENT is a deterrent to crime
Biological/Psychological Perspective
Internal Forces
CRIME is a function of CHEMICAL, NEUROLOGICAL, GENETIC, PERSONALITY, INTELLIGENCE, or MENTAL TRAITS.
Structural Perspective
Ecological Forces
Crime is a function of NEIGHBORHOOD CONDITIONS, CULTURAL FORCES, and NORM CONFLICT.
Process Perspective
Socialization Forces
Crime is function of UPBRINGING, LEARNING, and CONTROL. PEERS, PARENTS, and TEACHERS influence behavior
Conflict Perspective
Economic and Political Perspective
Crime is a function of COMPILATION for LIMITED RESOURCES and POWER. CLASS CONFLICT produce crime.
Development Perspective
Multiple Forces
BIOLOGICAL, SOCIAL-PSYCHOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC, and POLITICAL FORCES may combine to produce crime
Criminal Statistics
Gathering valid crime data
Devising new research methods
Measuring crime patterns and trends
Sociology
Determining the origin of law
Measuring the forces that can change the laws and society
Theory construction
Predicting individual behavior
Understanding the cause and crime rates and trends
Criminal baehavior system
Determining nature and cause of specific crime patterns
Studying violence, theft organized, white-collar, and public order crimes
Penology
Studying the correction and control of crime behavior
Creating effective policies on developing methods of social control
Victimology
Studying the nature and causes of victimization
Identifying the critical role of the victim in the criminal process
6 Sub-areas of Criminological Enterprise
- Criminal statistics
- Sociology
- Theory construction
- Criminal behavior system
- Penology
- Victimology
( Schmalleger 2011) A Frenchman who first coined Criminology in 1889.
Paul Topinard
Criminal behaviors extends to three basic lines
- Investigation of the nature of crimes and criminal law
- Analysis of the causation of crimes and the behavior of criminals.
-Study of the control of crimes and the rehabilitation of offenders.
A latin term which means crime or offense
Crimen
A greek word which means study
Logia
