Maricar C.

Aguilar, RCrim, CSSP, PhD

Saftey Officer 2
 • Explain the concepts of criminology
• Classify the divisions of criminology
• Recognize the nature of criminology and
identify the scope of the study of
criminology
Definitions and Concept:

Criminology is the scientific examination of the criminal justice

system, criminal behavior, and crime. It investigates the causes of
crime, its consequences on society, and the strategies employed to
prevent and regulate criminal activity. Criminologists explore a variety
of facets of crime, such as its social, psychological, and legal
dimensions, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the
reasons for their occurrence and potential solutions.
-The etymology of the word “Criminology”
The word "criminology" comes from the combination of two elements:
1."Crimen": This Latin word means "accusation" or "offense." It is the root for
words related to crime in many languages.
2."Logia": Derived from the Greek word "λογία" (logia), meaning "study" or
"science," which comes from "λόγος" (logos), meaning "word," "reason," or
"principle.“

Thus, criminology translates to "the study of crime." The term was first used in
the late 19th century to describe the scientific study of crime, criminal behavior,
and law enforcement.
Applicability of the Terms

• Criminologist- generally referred to as a person who practices his/her profession

in criminology.

• A criminalist one who identifies, compares, analyzes, and interprets physical

evidence; an expert in the use of scientific methods to investigate crimes,
specifically, by collecting and analyzing physical evidence; also known as a
Forensic Investigator.

• Penologist- a person who studies the theory and practice of prison management;
one who studies and practices reformation and rehabilitation of criminals and of
management of prisons.

• Victimologist- a person who studies the relationship between offender and the
victim
 In 1885, Italian Law professor Raffaele Garofalo coined the term “criminology” (in
Italian, (criminologia). The French anthropologist Paul Topinard used it for the first time in
French (criminologie) around the same time. Topinard's use of the term helped to establish it within the
scientific and academic community.

THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF CRIMES AND CRIMINALS IS EXTENDED IN THREE BASIC LINES:

1) Nature of criminal law and its administration -(Criminal law is the foundation of the criminal
justice system. It defines prohibited behavior within a community and provides punishment
for individuals who commit crimes. A crime is any act or omission that goes against laws that
forbid it)
2)Causes of crimes and behavior of criminals (These included biological, psychological, social,
and economic factors. Usually a combination of these factors is behind a person who commits
a crime. Reasons for committing a crime include greed, anger, jealousy, revenge, or pride.)
3) Control of crimes and rehabilitation of offenders
NATURE OF CRIMINOLOGY
1) It is an applied science.
In the study of the causes of crimes, anthropology, psychology, sociology, and other natural sciences
may be applied. While in crime detection, chemistry, medicine, physics, mathematics, ballistics,
polygraphy, questioned document examination may be utilized. This is called instrumentation.
2) It is a social science.
In as much as crime is a social creation that exists in a society being a social phenomenon, its study
must be considered a part of social science.

3) It is dynamic.
Criminology changes as social conditions change. It is concomitant with the advancement of other
sciences that have been applied to it. It is dynamic because it centers on analyzing crime and its
changes as the outcome of the interactions between people and their environments.
4) It is nationalistic.
The study of crimes must be about the existing criminal law within a territory or country. The question
as to whether an act is a crime is dependent on the criminal law of a state. It follows therefore that the
causes of crime must be determined from its social needs and standards.
 UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF THE STUDY OF CRIMINOLOGY
Crimes and criminals emanate within a society. A society is a “structured
community of people” (Encarta, 2009), bound together by similar
traditions, institutions, or nationality. Its component are people,
jurisdictions, and law. These components complete the full essence of
Social Contract.

·
Society without rules and regulations may create chaos and disorder.
1) Study of the origin and development of criminal law .
2) Study of the causes of crimes and the development of criminals.
3) Study of the different factors that enhance the development of criminal behavior, such as:
a) Criminal demography – the study of the relationship between criminality and population.
b) Criminal epidemiology – the study of the relationship between environment and criminality.
c) Criminal ecology – the study of criminality about the spatial distribution in a community.
d) Criminal physical anthropology – the study of criminality in relation to the physical constitution
of men
e) Criminal psychology – the study of human behavior in relation to criminality
f) Criminal psychiatry – the study of the human mind in relation to criminality
g) Victimology – the study of the role of the victim in the commission of a crime
1. Study of law
2. Science, Medicine, Chemistry and Psychology
3. Social work involving sociology and psychology.
4. Public administration
5. Religion
6. Education
1. Legislative bodies;
2. Law enforcement agencies;
3. Court and prosecution pillars;
4. Educational institutions;
5. Correctional institutions;
6. Public charitable and social agencies;
and
7. Public welfare agencies.
 CRIMINOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES

The first ever educational institution that offered a Criminology course was the
Philippine College of Criminology (PCCR) in Sta. Cruz, Manila, formerly known as
Plaridel College established in 1950.

R.A. 6506 - An act that created the Board of Criminologists of the Philippines and for
other purposes. It took effect on July 1, 1972.

RA 11131 - An act regulating the practice of the Criminology profession in the

Philippines, repealing for the purpose Republic Act No. 6506, otherwise known as “An
act creating the board of examiners for Criminologists in the Philippines”. The State
recognizes the importance of criminology profession in national security, public
safety, peace and order, and in nation-building and development. Hence, it shall
develop and nurture competent, virtuous, productive, and well-rounded
criminologists whose standards of professional practice and service shall be
excellent, qualitative, world-class and globally competitive through sacred, honest,
effective and credible licensure examinations, coupled with programs and activities
that would promote professional growth and development.
1. Sociology of law — an attempt to offer scientific analysis of the conditions in which
penal/criminal laws have developed as a process of formal and social control.

2. Criminal Etiology – it is an attempt to offer a scientific analysis of the causes of the

crime.

3. Penology — concerned with the control and prevention of crime and the treatment of
offenders.

4. Victimology- Victimology is the study of victims of crime, including the psychological

effects on them, their interactions with the criminal justice system, and the social,
economic, and legal contexts that influence how they are treated.