Crime and Criminology
Criminology = scientific study of crime using
the victim, the offender, cjs in their relativity.
• Crime is any sin action that’s against religion and morality(non-juristic
approach)
-E.g.Using Substance, Running from home, watching pornographic
images, drinking alcohol and truancy.
• Crime is an illegal action committed by an individual who can be blamed
and punished by the authorities.(Juristic approach)
ELEMENTS OF CRIME
1.ACTUS RUES(guilty action)
(guilty action): The physical element of the crime. It can be the failure to
submit an income tax form or murder.
2.MENS REA(guilty mind)
guilty mind): Intent–the mental decision to do something. A mental decision
must be followed by an action for it to be seen as a crime.
3. CORPUS DELICITI (BOTH MENS REA AND ACTUS RUES)
To witness a crime being committed and not report is not a crime.
CATEROGIES OF CRIME
STATUTORY CRIME COMMON-LAW CRIME
Crime codified and written by Not codified or written by the
legislation legislation
Approved and published by Identified by the Roman-Dutch law
legislation in Government Gazzete as Source of SA Law.
Known as Acts Murder,Theft and Robbery.
E.g. National Road Traffic Acts 93 of
1966
Role of Media on Crime
, • Details of acts committed by criminals are highlighted on tv, radio,
newspapers and magazines.
• The media potray crime as good action as villains always win.
• This makes the public feel insecure = fear of crime.
• In most music today especially rap and heavy metal most of the lyrics
contain references to violence, sex, and/or drugs.
South African crimes
Woman violation, bank robbery, human trafficking, poaching, fraud, hijacking,
Xenophobia attacks & Taxi Violence.
Criminologist
is someone whose professional trained, occupational role and earning mainly
relate to the application of a scientific approach to the study and analysis of
crime phenomena and criminal behaviour.
Main functions of a criminologist:
* lecturing at universities/colleges
* researching
* being involved in community service
Study Fields of Criminologists
* Criminal law –branch of law that covers crime and criminal behaviour.
* Crime theories –reasons and explanations of criminal behaviour.
* Victimology–study of crime victims.
* Criminal/deviant behaviour systems –risk assessment strategies that
determine the nature and extent of deviant/criminal behaviour.
•Criminal justice –study of agencies of social control that handle offenders
(courts, police and prisons).
CRIMINOLOGIST APPROACH
NARROW APPROACH (JURISTICAL) BROAD APPROACH (NON-
JURISTICAL)-New Criminology
Only focus on the wrongdoing action Focuses on the crime and the
deviant behaviour
1.Government Dept- SANDF,SAPS, State Security Agency
Criminology = scientific study of crime using
the victim, the offender, cjs in their relativity.
• Crime is any sin action that’s against religion and morality(non-juristic
approach)
-E.g.Using Substance, Running from home, watching pornographic
images, drinking alcohol and truancy.
• Crime is an illegal action committed by an individual who can be blamed
and punished by the authorities.(Juristic approach)
ELEMENTS OF CRIME
1.ACTUS RUES(guilty action)
(guilty action): The physical element of the crime. It can be the failure to
submit an income tax form or murder.
2.MENS REA(guilty mind)
guilty mind): Intent–the mental decision to do something. A mental decision
must be followed by an action for it to be seen as a crime.
3. CORPUS DELICITI (BOTH MENS REA AND ACTUS RUES)
To witness a crime being committed and not report is not a crime.
CATEROGIES OF CRIME
STATUTORY CRIME COMMON-LAW CRIME
Crime codified and written by Not codified or written by the
legislation legislation
Approved and published by Identified by the Roman-Dutch law
legislation in Government Gazzete as Source of SA Law.
Known as Acts Murder,Theft and Robbery.
E.g. National Road Traffic Acts 93 of
1966
Role of Media on Crime
, • Details of acts committed by criminals are highlighted on tv, radio,
newspapers and magazines.
• The media potray crime as good action as villains always win.
• This makes the public feel insecure = fear of crime.
• In most music today especially rap and heavy metal most of the lyrics
contain references to violence, sex, and/or drugs.
South African crimes
Woman violation, bank robbery, human trafficking, poaching, fraud, hijacking,
Xenophobia attacks & Taxi Violence.
Criminologist
is someone whose professional trained, occupational role and earning mainly
relate to the application of a scientific approach to the study and analysis of
crime phenomena and criminal behaviour.
Main functions of a criminologist:
* lecturing at universities/colleges
* researching
* being involved in community service
Study Fields of Criminologists
* Criminal law –branch of law that covers crime and criminal behaviour.
* Crime theories –reasons and explanations of criminal behaviour.
* Victimology–study of crime victims.
* Criminal/deviant behaviour systems –risk assessment strategies that
determine the nature and extent of deviant/criminal behaviour.
•Criminal justice –study of agencies of social control that handle offenders
(courts, police and prisons).
CRIMINOLOGIST APPROACH
NARROW APPROACH (JURISTICAL) BROAD APPROACH (NON-
JURISTICAL)-New Criminology
Only focus on the wrongdoing action Focuses on the crime and the
deviant behaviour
1.Government Dept- SANDF,SAPS, State Security Agency
