A Comprehensive Guide to Criminological
Theories, Criminal Justice Systems, Forensic
Science, Criminal Investigation, Victimology,
Penology, and International Law
1. What is Criminology?
Criminology is the scientific study of:
• Crime
• Criminal behavior
• Victims
• Criminal justice systems
• Crime prevention and control
2. Branches of Criminology
• Criminal Sociology
• Criminal Psychology
• Criminal Anthropology
• Penology
• Victimology
• Criminalistics
• Forensic Science
• Criminal Law
3. Schools of Criminology
Cesare Beccaria – Classical School
• Free will
• Rational choice
• Punishment should fit the crime
Jeremy Bentham
• Principle of Utility
• Greatest happiness for the greatest number
Cesare Lombroso – Positivist School
• Father of Modern Criminology
• Biological explanations of crime
Enrico Ferri
• Social and environmental factors influence crime
Raffaele Garofalo
• Developed the concept of Natural Crime
,4. Major Criminological Theories
Differential Association Theory
Founder: Edwin Sutherland
• Crime is learned through interaction.
Strain Theory
Founder: Robert K. Merton
• Crime results from the inability to achieve socially accepted goals through legitimate
means.
Social Control Theory
Founder: Travis Hirschi
• Strong social bonds discourage criminal behavior.
Routine Activity Theory
Founders:
• Lawrence Cohen
• Marcus Felson
Crime occurs when:
• Motivated offender
• Suitable target
• Absence of a capable guardian
Rational Choice Theory
People commit crimes after weighing risks and rewards.
Labeling Theory
Founder: Howard Becker
• Society's labels can contribute to continued criminal behavior.
Broken Windows Theory
Developed by:
• James Q. Wilson
• George L. Kelling
Minor disorder may encourage more serious crime if left unaddressed.
5. Crime Classification
,Crimes Against Persons
• Murder
• Assault
• Kidnapping
• Human trafficking
Crimes Against Property
• Burglary
• Theft
• Robbery
• Arson
White-Collar Crime
Coined by Edwin Sutherland
• Fraud
• Embezzlement
• Money laundering
• Insider trading
Organized Crime
Examples:
• Drug trafficking
• Human trafficking
• Arms trafficking
• Cybercrime
Cybercrime
• Identity theft
• Hacking
• Online fraud
• Malware attacks
6. Criminal Profiling
Uses:
• Behavioral analysis
• Crime scene interpretation
• Suspect identification
• Geographic profiling
7. Victimology
Study of crime victims.
Victim Types:
• Primary
, • Secondary
• Tertiary
Victim Precipitation Theory
Victim Lifestyle Theory
Routine Activity Theory
8. Criminalistics
Includes:
• Fingerprint Analysis
• DNA Profiling
• Ballistics
• Toxicology
• Firearms Identification
• Questioned Documents
• Trace Evidence
• Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
9. Fingerprint Patterns
• Arch
• Loop
• Whorl
10. Forensic Science
Major Disciplines:
• Forensic Biology
• Forensic Chemistry
• Forensic Pathology
• Digital Forensics
• Forensic Toxicology
• Forensic Anthropology
• Forensic Odontology
• Forensic Entomology
11. Penology
Study of punishment and correction.
Purposes:
• Retribution
• Deterrence
• Rehabilitation
• Incapacitation
• Restoration
Theories, Criminal Justice Systems, Forensic
Science, Criminal Investigation, Victimology,
Penology, and International Law
1. What is Criminology?
Criminology is the scientific study of:
• Crime
• Criminal behavior
• Victims
• Criminal justice systems
• Crime prevention and control
2. Branches of Criminology
• Criminal Sociology
• Criminal Psychology
• Criminal Anthropology
• Penology
• Victimology
• Criminalistics
• Forensic Science
• Criminal Law
3. Schools of Criminology
Cesare Beccaria – Classical School
• Free will
• Rational choice
• Punishment should fit the crime
Jeremy Bentham
• Principle of Utility
• Greatest happiness for the greatest number
Cesare Lombroso – Positivist School
• Father of Modern Criminology
• Biological explanations of crime
Enrico Ferri
• Social and environmental factors influence crime
Raffaele Garofalo
• Developed the concept of Natural Crime
,4. Major Criminological Theories
Differential Association Theory
Founder: Edwin Sutherland
• Crime is learned through interaction.
Strain Theory
Founder: Robert K. Merton
• Crime results from the inability to achieve socially accepted goals through legitimate
means.
Social Control Theory
Founder: Travis Hirschi
• Strong social bonds discourage criminal behavior.
Routine Activity Theory
Founders:
• Lawrence Cohen
• Marcus Felson
Crime occurs when:
• Motivated offender
• Suitable target
• Absence of a capable guardian
Rational Choice Theory
People commit crimes after weighing risks and rewards.
Labeling Theory
Founder: Howard Becker
• Society's labels can contribute to continued criminal behavior.
Broken Windows Theory
Developed by:
• James Q. Wilson
• George L. Kelling
Minor disorder may encourage more serious crime if left unaddressed.
5. Crime Classification
,Crimes Against Persons
• Murder
• Assault
• Kidnapping
• Human trafficking
Crimes Against Property
• Burglary
• Theft
• Robbery
• Arson
White-Collar Crime
Coined by Edwin Sutherland
• Fraud
• Embezzlement
• Money laundering
• Insider trading
Organized Crime
Examples:
• Drug trafficking
• Human trafficking
• Arms trafficking
• Cybercrime
Cybercrime
• Identity theft
• Hacking
• Online fraud
• Malware attacks
6. Criminal Profiling
Uses:
• Behavioral analysis
• Crime scene interpretation
• Suspect identification
• Geographic profiling
7. Victimology
Study of crime victims.
Victim Types:
• Primary
, • Secondary
• Tertiary
Victim Precipitation Theory
Victim Lifestyle Theory
Routine Activity Theory
8. Criminalistics
Includes:
• Fingerprint Analysis
• DNA Profiling
• Ballistics
• Toxicology
• Firearms Identification
• Questioned Documents
• Trace Evidence
• Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
9. Fingerprint Patterns
• Arch
• Loop
• Whorl
10. Forensic Science
Major Disciplines:
• Forensic Biology
• Forensic Chemistry
• Forensic Pathology
• Digital Forensics
• Forensic Toxicology
• Forensic Anthropology
• Forensic Odontology
• Forensic Entomology
11. Penology
Study of punishment and correction.
Purposes:
• Retribution
• Deterrence
• Rehabilitation
• Incapacitation
• Restoration
