Criminology
Criminology is a scientific field that studies crime and criminal behaviour. It is an interdisciplinary subject that draws on principles from sociology, psychology, economics, statistics, and anthropology to understand the causes of crime and its effects on individuals and communities. The study of criminology has a long history, dating back to the 18th century when Cesare Beccaria published "On Crime and Punishments" in 1764. The first collection and use of crime statistics in the 19th century laid the groundwork for generations of increasingly sophisticated tools and methods, leading to our modern use of descriptive statistics, case studies, typologies, and predictive analytics. Criminologists examine a variety of related areas, including the characteristics of people who commit crimes, reasons why people commit crimes, the effects of crime on individuals and communities, and methods for preventing crime.
Edwin Sutherland and Donald Cressey state criminology as " Criminology is the body of knowledge regarding crime as a social phenomenon. It includes within its scope the processes of making laws, of breaking laws, and of reacting toward the breaking of laws. The objective of criminology is the development of a body of general and verified principles and of other types of knowledge regarding this process of law, crime, and treatment".
- The process of making laws. Sutherland and Cressay's definition also recognizes the association between crime and criminal law and shows how the law defines crime.
- Breaking laws and reacting towards the breaking of laws. At its core, the purpose of criminology is to understand both the onset of crime and the most effective methods for its elimination. Why do people commit illegal acts and what can be done to convince them - and others who are contemplating a crime- that it is in their best interests to turn their back on criminality? these concepts are naturally bound together: it is impossible to effectively control crime unless we understand the case.
- Development of a body of general and verified principles. Sutherland and Cressey recognize that criminology is a social science and criminologists must use the scientific method when conducting research. Criminologists are required to employ valid and reliable experimental designs and sophisticated data analysis techniques or else loose standing in the academic community.
The process of making laws is recognized in Sutherland and
Cressey's definition as it shows the association between crime and criminal
law. At its core, the purpose of criminology is to understand both the onset of
crime and the most effective methods for its elimination. Why do people commit
illegal acts? What can be done to convince them - and others who are
contemplating a crime - that it is in their best interests to turn their back
on criminality? These concepts are naturally bound together: it is impossible
to effectively control crime unless we understand its cause.
Conclusion
In conclusion, criminology is an essential field that
gathers and analyses empirical data to explain violations of criminal law and
social reactions to those violations. It provides valuable insights into
understanding why crimes occur and how they can be prevented. By employing
rigorous scientific methods, criminologists contribute significantly to our
understanding of crime as a social phenomenon. This knowledge aids in shaping
policies that can effectively address crime at both individual and societal
levels.
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