CRIMINOLOGY: BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVES
MODULE: 306 (16 CREDITS)
DR N GOPAL
, THEME 5 - VIOLENT CRIMES
Although all crimes are a violation of human rights, a few types of criminal acts can are consid
be “more” violent for a variety of reasons which will be addressed in this theme. For the pur
this theme murder, serial killers and rape will be used to highlight and explore violent criminal be
• Learning objectives for this theme:
To explore violent types of criminal behaviour.
To be able to understand and identify a violent crime.
To explore and understand how violence plays a role in the criminal acts below.
To engage with and understand the factors in particular crimes such as murder, serial killing
that may contribute to violent criminal behaviour.
To be able to identify and critical engage with the factors they may cause violent behavio
specific crimes.
, MURDER
According to gilbert (2010) homicide can be defined “as the killing of a human by ano
human”. It can be justifiable/excusable if carried out by the state as a means ca
punishment. Homicide may take the form of suicide or culpable homicide (negligence
the South African context murder consists of four essential elements namely; the unla
and intentional killing of another. The terms “negligent and intentional” is what differenti
between culpable homicide and murder.
Types of offenders
The number of arrests of males for murder > females. many
Backgrounds involving felony violations and domestic violence.
Other murder offenders may include sadistic offenders, offenders that w
involved in other related crimes such as:
Drugs or rape, offenders that suffer from mental abnormalities, offenders that want to c
from benefit factors such as insurance claims, serial killers and mass murders such
terrorists (gilbert, 2010).
MODULE: 306 (16 CREDITS)
DR N GOPAL
, THEME 5 - VIOLENT CRIMES
Although all crimes are a violation of human rights, a few types of criminal acts can are consid
be “more” violent for a variety of reasons which will be addressed in this theme. For the pur
this theme murder, serial killers and rape will be used to highlight and explore violent criminal be
• Learning objectives for this theme:
To explore violent types of criminal behaviour.
To be able to understand and identify a violent crime.
To explore and understand how violence plays a role in the criminal acts below.
To engage with and understand the factors in particular crimes such as murder, serial killing
that may contribute to violent criminal behaviour.
To be able to identify and critical engage with the factors they may cause violent behavio
specific crimes.
, MURDER
According to gilbert (2010) homicide can be defined “as the killing of a human by ano
human”. It can be justifiable/excusable if carried out by the state as a means ca
punishment. Homicide may take the form of suicide or culpable homicide (negligence
the South African context murder consists of four essential elements namely; the unla
and intentional killing of another. The terms “negligent and intentional” is what differenti
between culpable homicide and murder.
Types of offenders
The number of arrests of males for murder > females. many
Backgrounds involving felony violations and domestic violence.
Other murder offenders may include sadistic offenders, offenders that w
involved in other related crimes such as:
Drugs or rape, offenders that suffer from mental abnormalities, offenders that want to c
from benefit factors such as insurance claims, serial killers and mass murders such
terrorists (gilbert, 2010).
