criminologist
Studies criminal behavior
A criminologist is a scholar who studies crime—its causes, patterns, prevention, and social effects.
The field draws on sociology, psychology, law, and statistics.
Criminologists analyze data on criminal behavior, evaluate justice policies, and may advise lawmakers or law enforcement: The criminologist testified about recidivism rates.
Fair treatment under law
- penologyStudy of punishment systems
- jurisprudencePhilosophy governing legal systems
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
- defenseProtection against harm
sentencing · trial · courtroom · incarceration · parole · probation · corrections · verdict
Departure from accepted standards
- recidivismHabitual return to crime
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- juvenile delinquencyCriminal acts by minors
- gangsOrganized criminal groups
poverty · inequality · restorative justice · deterrence · social control · urbanization · subculture · stigma
Facts supporting truth
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- fingerprintsRidge patterns identifying individuals
- autopsyMedical examination after death
- ballisticsProjectile motion science
toxicology · bloodstains · trace evidence · serology · fiber analysis · hair analysis · entomology · pathology
Professional crime investigator
- suspectBelieve to be likely
- interrogationFormal, probing examination
- witnessOne who attests
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
alibi · casefile · surveillance · cold case · motive · perpetrator · profiling · leads
Study of conduct patterns
- serial killerRecurring lone murderer
- modus operandiCharacteristic way of working
- signatureHandwritten name for verification
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
psychopathy · risk assessment · threat assessment · stalking · predatory behavior · pattern recognition · victimology · escalation
Systematic fact-finding effort
- theoryExplanatory set of principles
- methodologyFormal procedural framework
- statisticsCollected numerical information
- peer reviewExpert evaluation before publication
dissertation · sociology · data analysis · survey · qualitative · quantitative · publication · hypothesis
justice
Fair treatment under law
- penologyStudy of punishment systems
- jurisprudencePhilosophy governing legal systems
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
defense · sentencing · trial · courtroom · incarceration · parole · probation · corrections · verdict · due process
deviance
Departure from accepted standards
- recidivismHabitual return to crime
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- juvenile delinquencyCriminal acts by minors
gangs · poverty · inequality · restorative justice · deterrence · social control · urbanization · subculture · stigma · reentry
evidence
Facts supporting truth
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- fingerprintsRidge patterns identifying individuals
- autopsyMedical examination after death
ballistics · toxicology · bloodstains · trace evidence · serology · fiber analysis · hair analysis · entomology · pathology · blood spatter
detective
Professional crime investigator
- suspectBelieve to be likely
- interrogationFormal, probing examination
- witnessOne who attests
testimony · alibi · casefile · surveillance · cold case · motive · perpetrator · profiling · leads · informant
behavioral analysis
Study of conduct patterns
- serial killerRecurring lone murderer
- modus operandiCharacteristic way of working
- signatureHandwritten name for verification
motivation · psychopathy · risk assessment · threat assessment · stalking · predatory behavior · pattern recognition · victimology · escalation · fantasy
research
Systematic fact-finding effort
- theoryExplanatory set of principles
- methodologyFormal procedural framework
- statisticsCollected numerical information
peer review · dissertation · sociology · data analysis · survey · qualitative · quantitative · publication · hypothesis · empirical
- social scientistssociologist, psychologist, anthropologist, economist, political scientist
- criminologycriminalization, deviance, recidivism, deviant behavior, delinquency
- academicsprofessor, course, university professors, math, professors
- scientistsbiologist, Einstein, anthropologist, Darwin, chemist
- crime fighterscop, detective, police officer, sheriff, investigator
- investigatorsdetective, investigator, inspector, sleuth, gumshoe
criminologistcriminal
Person who breaks laws
offender · lawbreaker · felon · convict · perpetrator
criminologistdetective
Professional crime investigator
police officer · beat cop · prosecutor · prison guard · parole officer