What is criminology? © Michael Decaire
Jun 8, 1999
Criminology is simply the study of crime and the factors leading and pertaining to it's phenomena, being either of an individual or social nature. This encapsulates areas ranging from the criminal justice system itself (the police, courts, probation, prisons and parole) right through to the existence of laws, economics, psychology, politics, medicine and sociology. But primarily, criminologists are concerned with the causes of criminal actions, the individuals who initiated them and their reasoning, which vary dramatically between each case (why does one person rob a store with a gun and take human life, while another just shop lifts?).
By theorising on this causation, it is possible for criminologists to ultimately play a major part in directing attention towards over coming, limiting, or containing perceived social problems through suggestions for the criminal sanctions and reforms of the criminal justice system. Government policy makers can then use these findings and ideologies to base their policies on, and in turn begin combating crime. In short, criminology can be seen as the study and method with which to diffuse crime; but to do this, a clear understanding of 'crime' as a phenomena must first be developed. "The legal concept of crime has it's historical roots based in religion and morals" which dwells around the concept that crime is behaviour that is amoral or sinful. Though in today's environment, it is more accurately depicted as the actions of individuals that break from preordained norms, based on morals and values belonging to their society, which in turn adversely affect other's rights and 'ideal' states. In determining what actions constitute crime, it is important that two major characteristics are identified. The first is known as the 'actus reus' and simply refers to the physical element of crime. If it can not be proven that a particular action took place (or non action depending on particular circumstances such as a duty of care and resulted in a negligent action) has taken place, then no crime has been committed. The second characteristic is known as 'mens rea', literally meaning the mental element of a guilty mind that intended to cause harm to others through deprivation of some fundamental right (Though this intent to deprive or break the law is a necessary element, certain instances such as accidents or a lack of knowledge of the laws, that had no intent to harm may still be considered as a criminal action for failing to act, but the penalties are not as severe.).
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