criminology
Study of lawbreaking
Criminology is the scientific study of crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system.
It draws on sociology, psychology, and law to examine why people commit crimes, how societies respond, and what policies might reduce criminal behavior.
A criminologist might study recidivism rates, the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs, or patterns in violent crime.
Philosophy demanding verifiable evidence
- anomieBreakdown of shared standards
- recidivismHabitual return to crime
- victimologyStudy of those harmed
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
labeling · social control · rational choice · biosocial · social learning · desistance · neutralization
Facts supporting truth
- fingerprintsRidge patterns identifying individuals
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- ballisticsProjectile motion science
- toxicologyScience of poisons
bloodstain · serology · trace evidence · autopsy · pathology · profiling · fibers · photography
Philosophy governing legal systems
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
- defenseProtection against harm
- verdictOfficial court decision
- sentencingImposing legal punishment
conviction · acquittal · indictment · arraignment · bail · testimony · subpoena · jury
Unequal distribution of resources
- povertySevere lack of resources
- policingEnforcing laws officially
- racial profilingLaw enforcement by skin color
- gangsOrganized criminal groups
socioeconomics · marginalization · stigma · community · surveillance · public policy · mass incarceration · prison reform
Causing another's death
- assaultViolent offensive act
- robberyTheft through intimidation
- burglaryIllegal entry to commit crime
- theftUnlawful taking of property
fraud · arson · vandalism · trafficking · kidnapping · manslaughter · shoplifting · smuggling
Study of mental disorders
- antisocialAverse to socializing
- aggressionHostile or attacking behavior
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
- impulsivityActing without considering consequences
risk factors · delinquency · offender · perpetrator · cognitive distortion · substance abuse · peer influence · childhood trauma
Rejection of prevailing norms
- transgressionViolation of law or code
- subcultureGroup with alternative norms
- countercultureRejection of mainstream values
- rebellionDefiance of established power
taboo · alienation · social norms · labeling · outsider · moral panic · delinquent · normalization
Formal procedural framework
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
- ethnographySystematic study of peoples
- quantitativeConcerning measurable amounts
- qualitativeRelating to characteristics, not quantities
statistical · longitudinal · case study · surveys · interviews · meta-analysis · self-report · field research
positivism
Philosophy demanding verifiable evidence
- anomieBreakdown of shared standards
- recidivismHabitual return to crime
- victimologyStudy of those harmed
deterrence · labeling · social control · rational choice · biosocial · social learning · desistance · neutralization
evidence
Facts supporting truth
- fingerprintsRidge patterns identifying individuals
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- ballisticsProjectile motion science
toxicology · bloodstain · serology · trace evidence · autopsy · pathology · profiling · fibers · photography · chain of custody
jurisprudence
Philosophy governing legal systems
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
- defenseProtection against harm
- verdictOfficial court decision
sentencing · conviction · acquittal · indictment · arraignment · bail · testimony · subpoena · jury · penal code
inequality
Unequal distribution of resources
- povertySevere lack of resources
- policingEnforcing laws officially
- racial profilingLaw enforcement by skin color
gangs · socioeconomics · marginalization · stigma · community · surveillance · public policy · mass incarceration · prison reform · reentry
homicide
Causing another's death
theft · fraud · arson · vandalism · trafficking · kidnapping · manslaughter · shoplifting · smuggling · embezzlement
psychopathology
Study of mental disorders
- antisocialAverse to socializing
- aggressionHostile or attacking behavior
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
impulsivity · risk factors · delinquency · offender · perpetrator · cognitive distortion · substance abuse · peer influence · childhood trauma
nonconformity
Rejection of prevailing norms
- transgressionViolation of law or code
- subcultureGroup with alternative norms
- countercultureRejection of mainstream values
rebellion · taboo · alienation · social norms · labeling · outsider · moral panic · delinquent · normalization
methodology
Formal procedural framework
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
- ethnographySystematic study of peoples
- quantitativeConcerning measurable amounts
qualitative · statistical · longitudinal · case study · surveys · interviews · meta-analysis · self-report · field research · data analysis
- fields of studyart, music, mathematics, history, biology
- academic fieldsmathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, history
- disciplinesbiology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, psychology
- ologiesbiology, geology, psychology, sociology, ecology
- social sciencessociology, anthropology, psychology, economics, political science
- career fieldsnursing, medicine, engineering, business, finance
criminologyethics
Study of right conduct
moral philosophy · victimology · positive psychology · deontology · penology
criminologypenology
Study of punishment systems
law enforcement · crime prevention · restorative justice · social work · community development
criminologylaw enforcement
Upholding legal codes
policing · prosecution · crime prevention · corrections · rehabilitation