THEME 1: WHAT IS CRIMINOLOGY?
Introduction
Crime is a form of human behaviour and, there are various reasons why people commit crime.
Criminologists look at the problem of crime in terms of different schools of thought in an attempt to explain
criminal behaviour and to prevent and control it.
What is criminology about?
Introduction
In this study unit we will take a brief look at
. what is meant by the term ``criminology''
. the criminologist's role and field of study
. whether criminology is a discipline in its own right
. the shifting parameters of crime
. the elements of juridical and nonjuridical approaches to crime
1.1.2 Key concepts
In this study unit you will get to know the following key concepts:
Criminology is an applied discipline within the human sciences and its field of study includes the scientific study
of crime, offenders and victims, the punishment of offenders (criminal justice system) and the prevention
(reduction) and control of crime.
The law consists of all forms of law (criminal law, common law etc). A law is a written statute enacted
by those legislative bodies that have the authority to make laws.
Criminal law is made up of all the legal rules that identify crimes and set down punishments.
Common law consists of legal rules that were not originally written down, but which have come to be accepted as
the law of the land.
What is criminology?
The word ``criminology'' literally means ``the study of crime''.
The term was first used by a nineteenth-century French sociologist called Toppinard. Definition:
Criminology is an applied discipline within the human sciences. Its field of study encompasses crime,
criminals, victims, punishment and the prevention and control of crime.
Criminologists study issues such as:
• the causes of crime (why people commit crimes);
Adapted from: J. Nesser, et al. (2010), Study Guide for CMY1501, Crime, Offenders and Criminal Behaviour, University of South Africa.
,• society's reaction to crime (unofficial and official attempts to prevent and control crime)
• when people break the law;
• differences in the nature and scope of crime(patterns or tendencies) between countries and between
communities in the same area,
• and why some people commit crimes while others in similar circumstances do not.
Criminologists also try to explain the judicial process (eg why some types of unacceptable behaviour are
branded as criminal while others are not).
Criminologists study the victims of crime and try to:
• determine why people become victims,
• as well as examining the profile of a crime victim
• and what makes people prone to victimisation.
The prevention and control of crime and victimisation are another important area of study.
Edwin H Sutherland is well known as the father of American Criminology. His definition includes three
aspects.:
1. The making of laws against crime.
2. Breaking laws is what most people think of when they think of Criminology and which is generally
referred to as the area of the causes of crime.
3. Reacting to lawbreaking is directly related to the work of thepolice, the courts and correctional
services.
These three aspects are sometimes referred to as the study of lawmaking, lawbreaking, and reactions to law
breaking.
Four basic components:
1. The crime
2. The criminal
3. The victim
4. The administration of justice
Other components:
1. Prevention and control of crime
2. Theoretical models for explaining crime
3. Particular crimes
Adapted from: J. Nesser, et al. (2010), Study Guide for CMY1501, Crime, Offenders and Criminal Behaviour, University of South Africa.
,4. The causes of crime
5. Pathological phenomena
The role of the criminologist
A criminologist's main task is to study, define, describe, interpret, explain and indicate policy directions in
respect of crime, criminal behaviour and victimisation
The basic:
• to identify the complex causes of crime,
• To explain these in terms of existing theories,
• And to develop and scientifically test new theories.
• Research findings on the causes of crime help to develop appropriate programmes for preventing
crime
• Criminologists also research the criminal justice system and suitable treatment for offenders to
help prevent recidivism (relapses into crime).
• Criminologists can also submit reports and give evidence in court in order to explain offenders'
criminal behaviour, thereby helping the court to impose appropriate sentences.
• Finally, by means of victim impact statements, criminologists can bring the harm suffered by victims to the
court's attention, which is then taken into consideration in determining a sentence
Occupations/careers:
• academics,
• police officers,
• parole officers
• people working in the field of correctional services and support services in the courts (Schmalleger
1996:12).
• forensic laboratory technicians,
• computer crime investigators,
• polygraphists,
• prison programme directors; I
• n the security field,
• in the business sector as risk managers,
• in the selection of high risk personnel,
Adapted from: J. Nesser, et al. (2010), Study Guide for CMY1501, Crime, Offenders and Criminal Behaviour, University of South Africa.
, • in the public(civil) service and in the private sector;
• in the development and implementation of policy on the prevention of crime and victimisation
• in the development of aid/support services and programmes for crime victims.
Can distinguish between:
• Criminology – seen as the study of crime
• Criminal justice - seen as the functional study of the police, courts and correctional services.
Is criminology a discipline in its own right?
The word ``science'' indicates knowledge of a particular discipline that has been systematically collected
Criminology falls into the category of social or human sciences (it focuses on people in their life contexts).
science or discipline is dynamic. It is always developing, as new knowledge and insights become available
(Johnson) requirements to be met if a subject is to qualify as an independent discipline:
. It must have its own object of study.
. It must be possible to identify a unique, clearly demarcated area of study.
. It must have its own procedures or scientific methodology.
. It must have a sturdy theoretical foundation.
. The knowledge it generates must be applicable to society.
. It must be taught or practised at an educational institution.
Criminology meets them all - object of study (the phenomenon of crime in all its facets)
The fluctuating parameters of crime
crime and justice are human constructions that can and do vary over time and from community to
community.
Examples: During the Nazi era, for example, Jews could be killed and their possessions confiscated; during
the fifties it was a crime for a black American to sit in the front section of a bus. In apartheid South Africa,
black South Africans were not allowed to reside or own property in a white neighbourhood. Abortion is a
crime in Italy but not in the United States or in Britain.
Clearly, criminology is not an exact science in the sense that physics is. Crime is studied
from a number of perspectives.
Adapted from: J. Nesser, et al. (2010), Study Guide for CMY1501, Crime, Offenders and Criminal Behaviour, University of South Africa.
