INTRODUCTION

The subject of criminology is practically useful as it promotes the welfare of the whole community.
The principles of criminology are used in framing penal policies. The process of eliminating crimes
from a society relies on the efficiency of the criminal law of that country and the object of
Criminology is to reduce the rate of crime incidence and administer it effectively by means of the
courts, police, prisons, etc. Nowadays, there is growth of bank robberies, rape, illegal politics,
white collared crimes, etc., and so the criminologists are of the view that criminology and penology
should work together to reduce criminality and to protect the society from anti-social elements.

DEFINITION OF CRIME

The legal meaning of crime is an act or omission punishable by law. Crime is an act which is
forbidden by law and revolting to the moral sentiments of the society.

SIR WILLIAM BLACKSTONE: Crime is a violation of the public right and duties due to the
whole community, considered as a community.

STEPHEN: A crime is an act or omission in respect of which legal punishment may be inflicted
on the person who is in default, either by acting or omitting to act.

AUSTIN: A wrong which is pursued at the discretion of the injured party and his representatives
is a civil injury. A wrong which is pursued by the Sovereign or his subordinate is a crime.

KENNY: Crimes are wrongs whose sanction is punitive and is in no way remissible by any private
person, but is remissible by Crown alone, if remissible at all. Criminal law includes the definition,
prevention, investigation, prosecution and punishment of crimes. It lays down the offence, proof,
procedure and punishment.

DEFINITION OF CRIMINOLOGY

Criminology is the systematic study of crime, criminals and the intricate web of factors influencing
criminal behaviour within society. This interdisciplinary field draws from psychology, sociology,
law, economics, biology and other sciences to explore the causes, patterns and consequences of
criminal activities. Criminologists aim to understand why individuals engage in unlawful acts,
whether driven by social, economic, psychological or environmental factors.
They also investigate the functioning of the criminal justice system, including police, courts and
corrections, seeking to improve its effectiveness and fairness. Additionally, criminology delves
into various subfields such as penology, bio-criminology, feminist criminology and criminalistics,
addressing specialized aspects of crime, punishment and the biological underpinnings of criminal
conduct.

Criminology is, in general, the scientific study of crime and its cure/treatment. The scientific study
of crime and its cure involves the study of nature of crime, criminal behaviour, treatment of
criminals by way of punishment etc., and prevention of crimes. The criminology is the offshoot of
the development in Sociology, Psychology and Psychiatry.

Prof. Sutherland defines criminology as the body of knowledge regarding crime as a social
phenomena.

Prof. Caldwell remarks, “criminology is the body of knowledge regarding crime and criminals and
the efforts of society to repress and prevent them”. Thus, the study of criminology includes
investigation of the nature of criminal law, its administration and development and causation of
crime and penalties of criminals. It also includes the control of crimes and rehabilitation of
offenders.

According to Prof. Radzionowich, criminology is the study of causes of crimes, checking and
controlling crimes and also the study of criminal law.

Dr. Kenny says that ‘criminology is branch of criminal science which deals with crime causation,
analysis and prevention of crimes’.

WHAT IS THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF CRIMINOLOGY?

Understanding the nature and scope of criminology is crucial for legal professionals and
policymakers as it provides insights into the interdisciplinary, empirical and theoretical approaches
used to analyse criminal behaviour.

It encompasses various aspects, including crime causation, criminal typologies, victimology and
the functioning of the criminal justice system. This knowledge equips us to develop effective
strategies for crime prevention and control while fostering fairness and efficiency within the legal
system.
 NATURE OF CRIMINOLOGY

Criminology is a dynamic and multifaceted field of study that delves deep into the understanding
of crime, criminals and the criminal justice system. Its nature can be characterized by several key
attributes:

 Interdisciplinary: Criminology is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing on insights from a

wide range of social, behavioural and natural sciences. It integrates knowledge from
sociology, psychology, law, economics, anthropology, biology and more. This
interdisciplinary approach allows criminologists to gain a holistic understanding of crime
and its origins.

 Empirical: Criminology is rooted in empirical research. It places a strong emphasis on

collecting and analysing data to study criminal behaviour, crime patterns and the
effectiveness of various crime prevention and control strategies. By relying on real-world
evidence, criminologists can develop evidence-based policies and interventions.

 Theoretical: Criminology is heavily theoretical, with various criminological theories

attempting to explain the motivations and causes behind criminal behaviour. These theories
range from classical theories like deterrence to contemporary ones such as strain theory,
social learning theory and routine activities theory. These theoretical frameworks help
criminologists understand and predict criminal behaviour.

 Applied: Criminology is an applied field. It takes the insights generated through research
and theory and applies them to real-world problems. Criminologists work collaboratively
with law enforcement agencies, policymakers and other stakeholders to develop practical
strategies for crime prevention and criminal justice improvement.

 Employs a Scientific Method: Criminology relies on the scientific method, involving the
formulation of hypotheses, data collection, analysis and the testing of theories. This
empirical approach ensures that research in criminology is conducted rigorously and
systematically.

 Policy-Oriented: Criminology often has a policy-oriented focus. Research in this field has
a direct impact on the development and reform of criminal justice policies. It informs
 lawmakers, judges, law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities in making
evidence-based decisions.

SCOPE OF CRIMINOLOGY

The scope of criminology is expansive and includes various subfields and areas of focus:

 Crime Causation: One of the fundamental aspects of criminology is the study of factors
contributing to criminal behaviour. This includes examining the influence of
socioeconomic conditions, socialisation, mental health and even genetic and neurological
factors.

 Criminal Typologies: Criminologists analyse different types of criminals, their

characteristics and the patterns of crimes they commit. This knowledge aids in tailoring
prevention and intervention strategies to specific offender profiles.

 Victimology: Understanding the impact of crime on victims and their experiences is a

crucial component. This knowledge is used to design support systems and services that
cater to the needs of victims.

 Criminal Justice System: Criminology evaluates the functioning of the criminal justice
system, which encompasses the police, courts and correctional institutions. It assesses the
effectiveness and fairness of the system in dealing with crime and criminals.

 Crime Prevention and Control: Criminologists are actively involved in developing,

implementing and assessing crime prevention strategies. This includes rehabilitation
programs, community policing and measures to reduce recidivism.

 Comparative Criminology: This subfield involves comparing crime rates, criminal

justice policies and cultural differences across different countries and societies. The aim is
to identify effective approaches to crime control and to learn from international practices.

 Specialised Areas: Criminology also encompasses specialised areas like white-collar

crime, which focuses on non-violent crimes committed by individuals in positions of trust
or authority and cybercrime, which investigates crimes committed in the digital realm,
including hacking, identity theft and online scams.
 CONCLUSION

The nature and scope of criminology encompass a wide range of topics related to the study of
crime, criminal behaviour and the criminal justice system. Criminology, by its very nature and
scope, is an interdisciplinary field that draws from sociology, psychology, law and other disciplines
to understand the causes of crime. Its empirical and theoretical approaches are used to analyse
crime patterns and develop effective prevention strategies.

The nature and scope of criminology also extend to the evaluation of the criminal justice system,
examining its functioning and effectiveness. This scope of criminology addresses diverse areas,
including crime causation, criminal typologies, victimology, comparative criminology, white-
collar crime and cybercrime, making it a valuable tool for understanding and addressing issues
related to crime and criminal justice