Introduction to Criminology

Criminology Definition and History

• According to Edwin H. Sutherland, criminology is the study of the processes of making laws, breaking laws, and reacting to the breaking of laws.
• The term "criminologia" was coined by Raffaele Garofalo in 1885.
• The term "criminology" comes from the Greek words "kriminos" (crime) and "logos" (study or science), literally meaning "the study of crime".

Divisions of Criminology

• Criminology can be divided into three principal areas:
  • The study of the nature of crime and delinquency
  • The study of the causes of crime and delinquency
  • The study of the control and prevention of crime and delinquency

Criminology as a Science

• According to George Wilker, criminology cannot become a science because it involves the study of human behavior, which is inherently complex and unpredictable.

Sociology of Law

• The key focus of the Sociology of Law division of criminology is the study of the relationships between law and society.

Characteristics of Criminology

• Criminology is considered a social science because it involves the study of human behavior, social structures, and the interactions between individuals and society.
• Criminology is not a natural science because it does not involve the study of physical phenomena or laws.
• The term "criminal epidemiology" refers to the study of the distribution and patterns of crime in a population.

Victimology

• The term "victimology" refers to the study of the victims of crime, including their experiences, needs, and roles in the criminal justice system.

Scope of Criminology

• Criminology involves the study of the causes and consequences of crime, as well as the social and political responses to crime.
• However, the study of the physical characteristics of criminals (e.g., phrenology) is NOT a scope of criminology.

Nature of Criminology

• Criminology is an interdisciplinary field that draws on theories and methods from sociology, psychology, law, and other disciplines.
• Criminology is NOT a fixed or unchanging field, but rather a dynamic and evolving field that responds to new developments and challenges.

Explore the fundamental concepts in criminology through an overview of crime as a social phenomenon, the process of law-making and law-breaking, and society's responses to criminal behavior. Discover the scientific study of the causes of crime in relation to individuals and society.