Practise paragraphs – criminology
Ac1.1 – state crime
What is it?
State crime is illegal or deviant activities carried out with the backing of the state. It
could also include crimes by other individuals or groups.
Criminal offences
Some examples of state crimes could be war crimes, false imprisonment, lack of
human rights, genocide, imprisonment without trial and WW2 Germany holocaust.
Type of victim
Anyone who is a citizen in the country the crime is committed in can be a victim of
state crime. However, if you are a person with a different religion or a political view
you could also be likely to be a victim.
Type of offenders
The typical type of offenders could be people who are part of the police,
government, army or military, state officials or civil servants. Others may fall into this
category, yet these are the main type of offenders.
Level of public awareness
Often there is a low level of public awareness as people may not be aware due to the
state officials having control over social media and can change the laws if necessary.
On the other hand, sometimes there is a high level of public awareness due to high
level media coverage.
Criminal or deviant?
State crimes most of the time are criminal unless the laws get changed by state
officials, yet they’re still against international law. It is also deviant as it is not
acceptable in society.
Ac1.2 – state crime
Personal reasons
One personal reason state crime may not be reported is fear. This may be because
they believe the state authorities may have more power than them and that they
will worry that if they report it consequences may happen to them.
Social and cultural reasons
One social and cultural reason may be having a lack of knowledge. This may be
because people aren’t educated on this type of crime due to the government trying
to cover their tracks by not teaching people about this crime.
Ac1.1 – state crime
What is it?
State crime is illegal or deviant activities carried out with the backing of the state. It
could also include crimes by other individuals or groups.
Criminal offences
Some examples of state crimes could be war crimes, false imprisonment, lack of
human rights, genocide, imprisonment without trial and WW2 Germany holocaust.
Type of victim
Anyone who is a citizen in the country the crime is committed in can be a victim of
state crime. However, if you are a person with a different religion or a political view
you could also be likely to be a victim.
Type of offenders
The typical type of offenders could be people who are part of the police,
government, army or military, state officials or civil servants. Others may fall into this
category, yet these are the main type of offenders.
Level of public awareness
Often there is a low level of public awareness as people may not be aware due to the
state officials having control over social media and can change the laws if necessary.
On the other hand, sometimes there is a high level of public awareness due to high
level media coverage.
Criminal or deviant?
State crimes most of the time are criminal unless the laws get changed by state
officials, yet they’re still against international law. It is also deviant as it is not
acceptable in society.
Ac1.2 – state crime
Personal reasons
One personal reason state crime may not be reported is fear. This may be because
they believe the state authorities may have more power than them and that they
will worry that if they report it consequences may happen to them.
Social and cultural reasons
One social and cultural reason may be having a lack of knowledge. This may be
because people aren’t educated on this type of crime due to the government trying
to cover their tracks by not teaching people about this crime.
