Introduction of Criminology

Introduction:

This assignment will delve into the fascinating world of criminology, the scientific study of
crime. We will explore the definition of criminology, the nature and scope of criminology,
Branches of criminology, the relationships between criminology and other disciplines, the
development of criminology, the importance of criminology, examining different types of
criminal behavior and their impact on individuals and communities. We will delve into the
theoretical frameworks that attempt to explain why people commit crimes, considering factors
like biological predispositions, psychological motivations, and social influences.

Definition of Criminology:

In 1885, Italian law professor Raffaele Garofalo coined the term “Criminology”.

The French anthropologist Paul Topinard used it for the first time in French around the same
time.

In a general sense, Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminal behavior. This
includes looking at the causes of crime, the consequences of crime, and how to prevent crime.

Some Scholar’s Definitions of Criminology:

Gibbins has referred to Criminology as the "entire body of knowledge regarding the causes and
prevention of crime, punishment, and correction of criminals and operation of correctional
institutions and agencies."

Walter Reckless has defined criminology as a "science which studies violation of criminal
codes or set of rules and regulations in society."

According to Dr. Kenny, criminology is a branch of criminal science that deals with crime
causation, analysis, and prevention of crimes.

The fathers of American criminology, Edwin Sutherland and Donald Cressey in their classic
definition of criminology state: "Criminology is the body of knowledge regarding delinquency
and crime as social phenomena. It includes within its scope the press of making laws, of
breaking laws, and of reacting towards the breaking of laws."

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Nature and Scope of Criminology:

The nature of criminology involves the study of crime, criminals, and the criminal justice
system, while its scope includes understanding the causes of crime, its prevention, detection,
and punishment, as well as the societal responses to crime. For legal professionals and
policymakers, it is essential to comprehend the nature and use of criminology since it offers
insights into the transdisciplinary, empirical, and theoretical methodologies used to examine
criminal activity.

Nature of Criminology:

“Nature" in criminology refers to the fundamental elements that characterize the discipline and
influence its approach to studying crime and criminal behavior.

Interdisciplinary: Drawing on knowledge from a broad spectrum of social, behavioral, and

scientific disciplines, criminology is by its very nature interdisciplinary. It incorporates
information from a variety of fields, including biology, anthropology, psychology, law, and
economics. By employing an interdisciplinary approach, criminologists can get a
comprehensive comprehension of crime and its causes. In Bangladesh, criminology integrates
insights from various disciplines. For example, in studying the prevalence of domestic
violence, criminologists might draw on sociology to understand the social dynamics within
families, psychology to analyze the psychological factors influencing perpetrators and victims,
and law to examine the legal framework and its enforcement.

Empirical: It relies on data collection and analysis to study criminal behavior and evaluate
crime prevention strategies. Empirical research is the foundation of criminology. To investigate
criminal behavior, crime trends, and the efficacy of various crime prevention and control
measures, it lays a heavy focus on data collection and analysis. Criminologists can create
evidence-based policies and treatments by depending on actual data.

Theoretically: Criminology encompasses a range of theories explaining the causes of criminal

behavior. Bangladeshi contexts can benefit from the application of criminological theories.
Strain theory, for instance, might assist in explaining why members of marginalized
communities would turn to crime as a result of having less access to opportunities and
resources.

Applied: It applies research findings and theories to address real-world crime problems. One
may comprehend how exposure to criminal role models or deviant peer groups shapes criminal

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behavior. In Bangladesh, criminologists work in tandem with law enforcement to create
methods aimed at preventing crime. For example, they would suggest community policing
programmers strengthen ties between the police and the community and build trust, which
would ultimately result in more successful attempts to prevent crime. This is based on study
findings.

Employs a Scientific Method: Criminology follows a rigorous scientific approach, including

hypothesis formulation and theory testing. Criminologists in Bangladesh follow the scientific
method in their research endeavors. For example, when studying the effectiveness of
rehabilitation programs for juvenile offenders, they would formulate hypotheses, collect data
on recidivism rates before and after intervention, analyze the data, and draw conclusions based
on statistical evidence.

Policy-Oriented: Research in criminology directly influences the development of evidence-

based criminal justice policies. Criminological research in Bangladesh influences criminal
justice policies. For instance, research demonstrating the disproportionate impact of certain
laws on marginalized communities may lead to advocacy for policy reforms aimed at ensuring
fairness and equity in the criminal justice system.

Scope of Criminology:

Criminology looks at why people commit crimes, how crime impacts society, and ways to
prevent and address it. It combines insights from sociology, psychology, law, and criminal
justice to understand and tackle crime.

The scope of criminology encompasses various aspects:

Understanding Crime Causes: Criminologists delve into factors like social conditions,
upbringing, mental health, and even genetics that contribute to criminal behavior. For example,
they might study how poverty and lack of education can lead to higher crime rates in certain
communities.

Analyzing Criminal Types: They study different offender profiles and crime patterns to tailor
prevention and intervention strategies accordingly. For instance, criminologists might analyze
data to identify patterns in the behavior of serial offenders.

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Focus on Victims: Criminology emphasizes understanding the impact of crime on victims to
design appropriate support systems. For example, researchers might conduct interviews with
victims to understand their experiences and needs better.

Evaluating the Justice System: It assesses the fairness and effectiveness of the criminal
justice system, including police, courts, and corrections. For instance, criminologists might
analyze court procedures to identify areas where biases may affect outcomes.

Prevention and Control: Criminologists actively develop and assess crime prevention
methods such as rehabilitation programs and community policing. For example, they might
evaluate the effectiveness of a community outreach program in reducing youth involvement in
gangs.

Comparing Crime Internationally: Comparative criminology examines crime rates and

justice policies across different societies to learn from global practices. For instance,
researchers might compare crime rates in countries with different drug policies to understand
the impact of legalization.

Specialized Areas: Criminology covers white-collar crime, cybercrime, and other specialized
fields to address a wide range of criminal activities. For example, criminologists specializing
in cybercrime might investigate how hackers exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems.

In conclusion, criminology is an interdisciplinary field that analyzes crime causes, offender

types, victim experiences, justice system effectiveness, and prevention strategies.

In summary, criminology serves as a comprehensive lens through which to understand, address,

and prevent crime within society. It encompasses a wide array of disciplines and
methodologies, aiming to dissect the complexities of criminal behavior, support victims,
evaluate justice systems, and innovate strategies for crime prevention across various domains.

Branches of Criminology

The description of criminology provided by Sutherland and Cressey summarizes the three main
branches of criminology.

Sociology of law

Criminologists examine and evaluate the origins, nature, application, and modification of
criminal laws. Criminologists recognize that laws do not simply exist; rather they are

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consciously created and maintained by members of a society. Laws also reflect cultural values;
they will differ significantly across societies and will change over time to reflect changing
values, beliefs, and social realities.

Criminal Etiology

Criminologists attempt to identify the causes of criminal behavior. Most modern theories of
crime are derived from the major sociological perspectives: structural functionalism, social
conflict, and symbolic interactionism individuals having ambitious goals but no legal way to
reach them, to the idea that criminal behavior is learned from those we spend time with, to the
assertion that powerful members of society act to criminalize the behaviors that threaten their
power and position.

Crime as a phenomenon has been and remains a fellow traveler and concern of all time and
human stages. Criminal etiology is considered one of the most important sectors in studies and
research dealing with criminality in general. So, etiology analyzes and studies causal links
between circumstances and different factors of criminality. Also, criminal etiology makes
studies and research of causes and circumstances that deal with all criminal behaviors and other
negative phenomena in society. Several reasons affect conducting the crimes, which may be
internal or external, and precisely for this the etiological studies deal with objective-exogenous
factors, which determine the phenomenon of criminality and other antisocial and negative
phenomena in society. Factors affecting criminality are diverse and of different natures, and do
not act detached from one another, but are interlinked. Therefore to come to as accurate as
possible conclusion on the causes of crime in general, criminal etiology in detail deals with this
subject to identify the main factors of criminality.

Penology

Penology is a term that Francis Lieber probably coined. Penology, as a major branch of
criminology, deals with an important aspect of the criminal justice process, that is, punishment,
correction, prevention, and control of crime. “The Oxford English Dictionary”, defines
penology as the study of punishment of crime and penitentiary management", and in this sense
is equivalent to corrections made to criminals. In the new concept, penology must also consider
“the causes of crime, the criminal in his physical and mental aspects as product of such causes,
and punishment as a means to an end.” Law itself is defined based on the punishments attached
to its violation, therefore there is no punishment without law as depicted by the Latin words –

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maxim null paean sine lege, and (there is hardly any law without punishment). Punishment can
be defined legally as simply the infliction of pain, suffering, or deprivation of something of
value to someone who has committed a crime. Violate rule. Societal norms or regulations.
For Emile Durkheim, punishment is the society’s responsibility to punish wrongdoers and it
does so through a recognized body which exercises the authority to punish on behalf of the
society.

Relationship of Criminology with Other Disciplines

Criminology and Sociology

Sociology is the study of human societies and social behavior. On the other hand, criminology
is a field of study that focuses on crime and criminals. While criminology is a distinct
discipline, it has a very close relationship with sociology. Criminology is often considered to
be a subfield of sociology. Here's how they intersect.

Sociology provides the theoretical foundation for criminology: Many major theories
of crime causation are derived from sociological theories about social structure, social
inequality, and social learning. For example, the theory of anomie, which suggests that
crime is more likely to occur in societies that emphasize goals but do not provide
legitimate means of achieving them, is a sociological theory that has been applied to
the study of crime.
Sociology helps us to understand the social context of crime: Crime does not occur
in a vacuum. It is influenced by a variety of social factors, such as poverty, inequality,
and social disorganization. Sociologists study these factors and how they contribute to
crime.
Criminology helps inform sociological theory: The study of crime can shed light on
the workings of society. For example, studies of crime can help us to understand how
social institutions, such as the family and the education system, function.
Focus on Society: Sociology examines the overall structure, organization, and
dynamics of society, whereas criminology primarily investigates crime, criminal
behavior, and the criminal justice system within the broader societal framework.

Criminology and Law

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Criminology and law are two fields that are closely intertwined. Criminology is the study of
crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system. Law, on the other hand, is the system of rules
that society creates and enforces to govern behavior. Here is the relationship between
criminology and law:

Criminal law informs criminology: Criminal law defines what constitutes a crime and
the punishments for those crimes. This information is essential for criminologists who
study the causes and consequences of crime. For instance, if a criminologist is interested
in studying the effects of incarceration on recidivism rates, they would need to know
what types of crimes typically result in incarceration.
Criminology informs law: Criminological research can inform the development and
implementation of laws. For example, criminologists might study the effectiveness of
different types of crime prevention programs. This research could then be used to
inform the development of new laws or policies aimed at reducing crime.
Shared goals: Both criminology and law share the common goal of promoting public
safety and reducing crime. Criminologists use their research to identify the root causes
of crime, while legal professionals work to develop and enforce laws that deter crime
and punish criminals.

How criminology and law work together:

Criminologists might study the factors that contribute to domestic violence.

Criminologists might study the effectiveness of different types of rehabilitation
programs for criminals.
Law enforcement agencies might use criminological research to develop strategies for
preventing crime.

Criminology and Political Science

Criminology and political science are two intertwined fields that share a common interest in
understanding society and the factors that shape it. Here's a closer look at their relationship:

Political Power and Crime: Political decisions can significantly impact crime rates.
For example, laws that restrict access to guns or drugs can help to reduce crime.

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 Political decisions about social programs, education, and law enforcement funding can
also affect crime rates.

The Criminal Justice System: Political science analyzes the institutions that create
and implement crime policy and criminal law. This includes the police, courts, and
prisons. Criminologists also study these institutions but from a different perspective.
They are interested in how these institutions function and how they can be made more
effective.

Public Opinion and Crime: Political scientists study public opinion on a variety of
issues, including crime. This information can be used to inform policy decisions.
Criminologists are also interested in public opinion on crime, as it can affect how people
respond to crime and how they feel about the criminal justice system.

Race, Class, and Gender: Criminologists and political scientists both recognize that
crime is not equally distributed across society. They examine how race, class, and
gender shape people's experiences of crime and the criminal justice system.

Criminology and Social Policy

Criminology and social policy have a deep and interconnected relationship. Here's a breakdown
of how they influence each other:

Criminology Informing Social Policy:

Understanding the Causes of Crime: Criminological research helps identify social

factors like poverty, lack of education, and social inequality that contribute to crime.
This knowledge allows policymakers to develop programs aimed at addressing these
root causes and potentially reducing crime rates.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Social Programs: Criminology provides tools to

assess the impact of social policies on crime. By analyzing crime statistics before and
after a policy change, researchers can determine if the program is achieving its goals.

Social Policy Shaping Criminology:

Policy as a Target of Criminological Study: Social policies themselves can be

analyzed through a criminological lens. Criminologists might examine how policies
like welfare programs or policing strategies influence criminal behavior.

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 Policy Influencing Research Priorities: Social policy priorities can influence the
direction of criminological research. For instance, if policymakers are concerned about
gang violence, they might allocate funding for research on gang formation and
prevention strategies.

Criminology and forensic psychology

Criminology and forensic psychology are two closely related fields, but they have distinct areas
of focus. Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminals. Criminologists are
interested in understanding the causes of crime, the characteristics of criminals, and the impact
of crime on society. They use a variety of methods to study crime, including social surveys,
statistical analysis, and case studies. Forensic psychology is the application of psychological
principles to the criminal justice system. Forensic psychologists work with law enforcement,
attorneys, and the courts to provide insights into criminal behavior, assess a defendant's mental
competency, and develop rehabilitation programs for offenders.

The relationship between criminology and forensic psychology

Criminology and forensic psychology are complementary fields. Criminologists provide

forensic psychologists with information about the nature of crime and criminals. This
information can help forensic psychologists to develop more effective methods for assessing
criminals and victims. In turn, forensic psychologists can provide criminologists with insights
into the psychological factors that contribute to crime. This information can help criminologists
to develop more effective crime prevention strategies. For example, a criminologist might
study the factors that contribute to recidivism (the tendency of a criminal to re-offend). A
forensic psychologist could then use this information to develop a treatment program for
criminals that is designed to reduce their risk of re-offending.

The key differences between criminology and forensic psychology

Feature Criminology Forensic Psychology

Focus Causes of crime, characteristics of Application of psychology to the
criminals, impact of crime on criminal justice system
society
Methods Surveys, interviews, statistical Mental health evaluations,
analysis psychological testing, interviews

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 Professionals Criminologists, sociologists, social Forensic psychologists, clinical
workers psychologists

Importance of Criminology

Criminology is a multidisciplinary field that examines the complex phenomenon of crime, its
causes, consequences, and societal responses. This part delves into the importance of
criminology in contemporary society, elucidating its role in understanding, preventing, and
responding to criminal behavior.

1. Understanding Crime Causation: Criminology helps us understand the root causes of

criminal behavior by examining various factors such as social, economic,
psychological, and environmental influences.

2. Effective Crime Prevention Strategies: It informs the development of targeted crime

prevention strategies by identifying high-risk environments, vulnerable populations,
and effective interventions to reduce crime rates.

3. Promoting Social Justice and Equity: Criminology sheds light on disparities within the
criminal justice system, advocating for reforms to address systemic discrimination and
promote fairness and equity.

4. Improving Rehabilitation Efforts: By studying offender rehabilitation and reintegration

programs, criminology contributes to reducing recidivism rates and promoting
successful reentry into society.

5. Enhancing Public Safety: Criminological research helps policymakers and law

enforcement agencies allocate resources more effectively to improve public safety and
reduce the prevalence of crime in communities.

6. Informing Legal and Policy Frameworks: Criminology provides empirical evidence to

inform the development of laws, sentencing guidelines, and policies aimed at
addressing crime and promoting justice.

7. Victim Advocacy and Support: It advocates for the rights and needs of crime victims,
promoting access to support services, restitution, and justice for those affected by
criminal acts.

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 8. Preventing Injustice and Wrongful Convictions: Criminology helps identify flaws in the
criminal justice system, such as wrongful convictions, leading to reforms to ensure the
fair treatment of all individuals within the legal system.

9. Understanding Criminal Behavior Trends: Through the analysis of crime statistics and
trends, criminology provides insights into evolving patterns of criminal behavior,
enabling proactive responses from law enforcement and policymakers.

10. Contributing to Interdisciplinary Knowledge: Criminology fosters interdisciplinary

collaboration, drawing on insights from sociology, psychology, law, economics, and
other fields to advance our understanding of crime and its consequences.

11. Empowering Communities: Criminology empowers communities to address crime

through community policing initiatives, neighborhood watch programs, and
collaborative efforts to address underlying social and economic factors contributing to
criminality.

12. Educating the Public: By disseminating research findings and raising awareness about
crime-related issues, criminology educates the public and fosters informed discussions
about crime prevention, criminal justice reform, and societal responses to crime.

Conclusion

Criminology serves as a multifaceted lens to examine crime. It delves into causes,

analyzes criminal behavior, explores victim experiences, assesses the justice
system, and devises prevention strategies. By incorporating various disciplines
and methodologies, criminology strives to dissect the complexities of crime,
advocate for victims, evaluate the justice system, and innovate crime prevention
methods across numerous domains. This comprehensive approach fosters a safer
and more just society.

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