criminologists
Study criminal behavior
Criminologists are scholars who study crime, its causes, and its effects on society.
The field draws on sociology, psychology, and law to examine why people commit crimes and how criminal justice systems respond.
A criminologist might analyze crime statistics, study prison populations, or evaluate policing strategies: Criminologists have long debated whether harsher sentences deter crime.
Scientific crime-scene analysis
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- modus operandiCharacteristic way of working
- victimologyStudy of those harmed
- patternsRecurring arrangements or designs
DNA analysis · fingerprints · ballistics · toxicology · trace evidence · autopsy · cybercrime · homicide
Judicial proceedings chamber
- sentencingImposing legal punishment
- incarcerationConfinement in jail
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- probationSupervised trial period
parole · corrections · prosecution · defense · verdict · plea bargaining · recidivism · restorative justice
Departure from accepted standards
- anomieBreakdown of shared standards
- social controlMechanisms ensuring societal conformity
Highest-ranking university instructors
- researchersThose who study systematically
- scholarsExperts in a field
- universitiesInstitutions granting advanced degrees
- publicationsWorks issued to readers
conferences · peer review · tenure · curriculum · seminars · expert testimony · consultants · doctoral programs
Research based on observation
- methodologyFormal procedural framework
- case studiesDetailed analyses of instances
- fieldworkResearch conducted on location
- peer-reviewed journalsPublications vetted by field experts
hypothesis testing · variables · correlation · causation · surveys · ethnography · interviews · statistical analysis
Study of conduct patterns
- risk assessmentEvaluating likelihood of harm
- personality traitsEnduring behavioral tendencies
- psychopathyEmpathy-absent personality disorder
- habitual offendersChronic violators of law
forensics
Scientific crime-scene analysis
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- modus operandiCharacteristic way of working
- victimologyStudy of those harmed
patterns · DNA analysis · fingerprints · ballistics · toxicology · trace evidence · autopsy · cybercrime · homicide · fraud
courtroom
Judicial proceedings chamber
- sentencingImposing legal punishment
- incarcerationConfinement in jail
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
probation · parole · corrections · prosecution · defense · verdict · plea bargaining · recidivism · restorative justice · detention
deviance
Departure from accepted standards
- anomieBreakdown of shared standards
- social controlMechanisms ensuring societal conformity
professors
Highest-ranking university instructors
- researchersThose who study systematically
- scholarsExperts in a field
- universitiesInstitutions granting advanced degrees
publications · conferences · peer review · tenure · curriculum · seminars · expert testimony · consultants · doctoral programs · textbooks
empirical studies
Research based on observation
- methodologyFormal procedural framework
- case studiesDetailed analyses of instances
- fieldworkResearch conducted on location
peer-reviewed journals · hypothesis testing · variables · correlation · causation · surveys · ethnography · interviews · statistical analysis · meta-analysis
behavioral analysis
Study of conduct patterns
- risk assessmentEvaluating likelihood of harm
- personality traitsEnduring behavioral tendencies
- psychopathyEmpathy-absent personality disorder
habitual offenders · stalking behavior · antisocial behavior · threat assessment
criminologistscriminals
Lawbreakers by act
offenders · lawbreakers · perpetrators · convicts · felons
criminologistspolice officers
Sworn law enforcers
prosecutors · defense attorneys · judges · law enforcement · detectives