Table of Contents
Introduction:
Criminology is the study of crime and criminal behaviour. Criminologists are working and researching the study of crime and society’s response to crime. Some criminologists examine the behavioural patterns of possible criminals. Criminologists conduct research and investigations, developing theories and analyzing empirical patterns. Criminologists working with law enforcement. They take a hard look at offenders, identifying their situations and motives along with societal impacts, generational changes, etc. They also investigate ethics, investigating why people commit crimes. Criminologists are focused on gathering and interpreting research and data. They use both to inform their decisions with the law in mind and to make educated recommendations to city and state officials. These are many interesting career opportunities that are open to you if you have a degree in criminology. This degree will teach you problem-solving skills, research skills, written and oral communication skills. This means there are a lot of career paths you can choose.
Major areas of criminology:
- Sociology of Crimes and Ethics.
- Law Enforcement Administration.
- Crime Detection and Investigation.
- Criminalistics.
- Criminal Law and Jurisprudence.
- Correctional Administration.
Branches and area of study in criminology:
- Crime prevention
- Crime statistics
- Criminal behaviour
- Criminal careers
- Domestic violence
- Deviant behaviour
- Evaluation of criminal justice agencies
- Fear of crime
- The International Crime Victims Survey
- Juvenile delinquency
- Penology
- Sociology of law
- Victimology
Jobs related to criminology:
- Police detective.
- Correctional officer.
- Forensic scientist.
- Crime scene technician.
- Private investigator.
- Crime analyst.
- Lecturer.
- Forensic pathologist.
A career with a criminology degree:
- Criminologist
Everything you learn in your degree will help you to get a job. Criminologists collect and analyse both qualitative and quantitative data on criminal activities. They work with government, police forces, and government policy-makers, sharing their insights on crime prevention and criminal profiling.
- Police constable
Understanding criminal profiling to identify criminals and help with prevention. Criminologists will have to work with police officers with the help of local communities to keep people safe. They ensure lower crime rates and keep people safe and spread peace. They also investigate the crime scene, interview suspects, and gather evidence.
- Detective
Detectives work in many different areas, from criminal investigation departments to fraud, cyber, or drugs squads. They help in investigations and police officers in gathering evidence. This job uses your knowledge and understanding of why crimes are committed to help profile offenders and catch the culprits. This job makes a significant difference in crime prevention and contributes towards the understanding of why crime occurs.
- Probation officer
Criminologists have to develop ideas about why criminals commit crimes and how they are rehabilitated. This will make a real impact on people’s lives. This field needs to have a solid understanding of why an individual commits a crime and be able to empathize with them to help with rehabilitation. These officers work closely with offenders and ex-prisoners, reintroducing them into society and helping to prevent reoffending. Criminologists will also work closely with prison services, the police, and government or community agencies.
- Crime scene officer
Scene of crime officers or crime scene investigators collects forensic and photographic evidence from crime scenes. This job is ideal for those who have done a joint honours degree i.n. criminology + forensic science. Criminologists can still move from criminology to this field by doing further studies or on-the-job training.
- Prison officer
Criminologists will have to get the chance to help offenders change their lives around which will give you an immense sense of achievement. This field requires an understanding of people’s behaviour. These officers are responsible for supervising offenders. This includes those people who are dangerous and/or vulnerable in prison. Criminologists will be in direct contact with prisoners and will assist rehabilitation.
- Social worker
Help vulnerable people going through difficult times. These workers will provide mental health support, support with drug or alcohol abuse, or support with the homeless. Criminologists help them to get the medical, financial, and housing support they need.
Criminologists will use the sociological and psychological aspects of their degree, building on their knowledge and empathy with people from different backgrounds.
- Lecturer:
Teach future criminology students what you yourself learned. You have to use everything you learn in your degree and more, through further study/ongoing research into the field. In this field you will have to work with new students, seeing how they interpret and question the world around us will challenge and inspire you on a daily basis.
Conclusion
Criminology includes the study of the nature of crime and criminals, origins of criminal law. They also research the aetiology of crime, the social reaction to crime, and the functioning of law enforcement agencies and penal institutions. Criminology directs its inquiries on the nature of criminal law, its administration and conditions under which it develops, analyses the causation of crime and the personality of criminals, studies the control of crime and the rehabilitation of offenders. Hence, criminology includes within its scope the activities of legislative bodies, law enforcement agencies, judicial institutions, correctional institutions, and educational, private, and public social agencies. A criminology degree can prepare an opportunity to understand crimes and criminal behaviour. Example- crime scene investigator, criminal investigator, correctional officer, and criminal intelligence analyst. It can also be a good first step toward roles in urban development, political science, investigative journalism, cyber security, etc. Predictive analyses to investigate crime patterns and cycles and other possible behaviours that can help identify future crimes will reduce the crime rate. Online criminal justice programs help to understand the theory. This is related to the behaviours in question. This is very much complex to the development of effective problem-solving activities, strategies, and policies.
Also read: Importance of Time
FAQs
1. List some jobs which are related to criminology.
Ans: They are as follows:
- Police detective.
- Correctional officer.
- Forensic scientist.
- Crime scene technician.
- Private investigator.
- Crime analyst.
- Lecturer.
- Forensic pathologist.
2. Name some branches and areas of study in criminology.
Ans: They are as follows:
- Crime prevention
- Crime statistics
- Criminal behaviour
- Criminal careers
- Domestic violence
- Deviant behaviour
- Evaluation of criminal justice agencies
- Fear of crime
- The International Crime Victims Survey
- Juvenile delinquency
- Penology
- Sociology of law
- Victimology
3. List 8 career names that are related to a criminology degree.
Ans: They are as follows:
- Criminologist.
- Police constable.
- Detective.
- Probation officer.
- Crime scene officer.
- Prison officer.
- Social worker.
- Lecturer.
