Introduction to Criminology Page 1 of 6

Concept and Nature of Criminology

CRIMINOLOGY
Criminology is a body of knowledge regarding delinquency and crime as a social phenomenon.
This is the general and more traditional meaning criminology. However, there are other definitions or
criminology suggested by some modernist such criminology may refer to the study of crimes and criminals
and the attempt of analyzing scientifically their causes and control and the treatment of criminals.
The word "scientific" is inserted as an important element in the definition sequentially to
substantiate the process of studying crimes in d an accepted (scientific) manner.

According to modern criminologists Sutherland

and Cressey, Criminology is the body of knowledge
regarding crimes as a social phenomenon, it includes
within the scope the process of making laws, breaking
of laws, of reacting towards the breaking of laws.. Elliott
and Merill also said that Criminology is the study of
crimes and its treatment. Taft however developed a
Figure 2. Donald Cressey Figure 3. Edwin Sutherland Source:
more simplified definition of criminology by stating thathttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_
Criminology is the studyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_
of all subject matters
Cressey Sutherland
necessary in understanding and preventing crime, the punishment
and treatment of criminals.

The term Criminology is derived from the Latin word crimen, which means "accusation"; and the
Greek word logia which denote "study of". Hence, Criminology is the scientific study of the nature, extent,
causes, and control of criminal behavior in both the individual and society.
In 1885, Professor Raffaele Garofalo coined the word criminology as "criminologia". At around the
same time, French Anthropologist Paul Topinard used an analogous French term "criminologie". It was in
the mid-18th century, criminology arose and became popular as social philosophers gave thought to the
concepts of crime and law. Over time, several schools of thoughts have developed which foundation of
criminology as a broad discipline.
Criminology is also a multidisciplinary study of crimes (Bartol, 1995). This has been said, since
many disciplines are involved in the collection of knowledge about criminal activities, including psychology,
sociology, anthropology, biology, neurology, political science and economics. But over the years, the field
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Concept and Nature of Criminology
of sociology, psychology, and psychiatry dominated the study of crimes.

SUBFIELDS OF CRIMINOLOGY
1. Sociological Criminology - the study of crime focused on the group of people and society as a whole. It
is primarily based on the examination of the relationship of demographic and group variables to crime.
2. Psychological Criminology – the science of behaviour and mental processes of the criminal. It focused
on the individual criminal behaviour, how it is acquired, evoked, maintained and personality influences
are considered, along with modified.
3. Psychiatric Criminology - the science that deals with the study of crime through forensic psychiatry, the
study of criminal behavior in terms of motives and drives that strongly relies on the individual.
(Psychoanalytic Theory Sigmund Freud - traditional view).

Today, because of the broadness and varieties of topics covered in the field of criminology,
criminologists are also too diverse in their focus of study which led to the development of other subfields
and perspectives (according to subject matter and methods) including but not limited to the following:
1. Critical Criminology - is a perspective in criminology that deals with the genesis of crime and the
nature of social injustice and inequalities. The study focuses on law and punishment where crime is
viewed as inter connected and part of a system of social on the inequalities, Critical criminologists deal
on account of contextual factors of crime such as oppression of workers, class division, ethnic
minorities, women, sexism, and racism.
2. Applied Criminology- uses a variety of discipline to examine criminality and the criminal justice system.
The study focuses more on the processes seen in the justice system and in the enforcement of law
directed towards influencing social policies.
3. Experimental Criminology is a perspective criminology that heavily relies on experimental methods of
research. It focuses on random selection of social issues directed to evidence based crime and justice
policy.
4. Comparative Criminology - is a perspective in criminology that deals with the study crime problem by
understanding the differences and similarities of social cultures in order to and understand crime
patterns and trends.
5. Convict Criminology is a contemporary perspective in criminology that deals with the study of convicts
and ex-convicts in order to provide answers to many issues in criminal justice where criminal
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Correction is a pillar in the system. Obviously, the emphasis of study is more on the efforts to reform
jails, prisons, and other correctional facilities.
6. Green Criminology is a new field of criminology that deals with the analysis of crimes involving a
variety of environmental concerns with link to criminal activities. In other Words, the application of
criminological thoughts to environmental issues.

Distinguish Criminologist, Criminalist, and Criminal Justice Practitioner

CRIMINOLOGIST
 A person who study criminology.
 He is more concerned with the scientific aspects of crimes in relation to criminal justice.
 He analyzes crime and criminal behaviors and attempts to provide explanations as to who
commits crime and why they do it.
 He also analyzes a criminal's behavior.
 It also helps make crime statistics into usable tools for law enforcement agencies.

CRIMINALIST
 Study criminalistics or forensic science.
 A physical scientist who uses scientific methods and techniques to find and interpret physical
evidence.
 They rely on scientific findings and techniques used in a particular field and apply them within a
legal framework.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE PRACTITIONER

 A person who deals in the broad areas of law enforcement, courts and corrections.
 Work may include police work; probation or parole work or counselling and correctional work in
correctional institutions.

THE FILIPINO CRIMINOLOGIST

The law Republic Act No. 11131, regulates the practice or profession of Criminology in the
Philippines, repealing an older law - Republic Act No. 6506.
Under Republic Act No. 11131, the practice of criminology includes, but not be limited to, acts or
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activities performed:
a. In line with the practice of profession or Occupation as a law enforcement administrator,
executive, adviser, consultant, officer, investigator, agent or employee in any private or government
agencies performing law enforcement and quasi-police functions at the Philippine National Police (PNP),
the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Bureau of
Fire Protection (BFP), the Bureau of Jail Fire Penology (BJMP), the Management and Provincial Jail, the
Bureau of Corrections (BUCOR), the Probation and Parole Administration (PPA), the Bureau of Internal
Revenue (BIR), the Bureau of Customs (BoC), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), other government
and private banks, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC), the Sea and Marshalls, VIP Security, Airport
and Seaport Police, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), the Intelligence Service of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), and other intelligence service or agencies of the government
exercising similar functions:
b. In line with the practice of teaching profession such as those performed by a professor,
instructor or teacher in any university, college or school duly recognized by the government of any of the
following professional and component subjects of the criminology program: (1) Criminal Jurisprudence and
Procedure; (2) Criminalistics; (3) Law Enforcement Administration; (4) Crime Detection and Investigation;
(5) Correctional Administration; and (6) Criminal Sociology and Ethics, and other technical and specialized
subjects in the criminology curriculum provided by the CHED;
c. As a technician, examiner/criminalist, or specialist in dactyloscopy, questioned document,
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), lie detection, firearms identification, forensic photography, forensic chemistry
and other scientific crime detection and investigation;,
d. As a correctional administrator, executive, a supervisor, or officer in any rehabilitation,
correctional, and penal' institution or facility and in any community-based Corrections, an rehabilitation
agencies and/or programs,
e. As a counsellor, consultant, adviser or on any aspect of criminological research or researcher in
any government or private agency project involving the causes of crime, children in conflict with the law,
treatment of offenders, police operations, law enforcement administration, scientific criminal investigation or
public safety and national security administration; and
f. As a private investigator, administrator, consultant or agent, or detective in any private security
and investigation agency organized under the laws of the Philippines. Under said law, the following persons
are authorized to practice the criminology profession:
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Natural persons:
1. Duly registered criminologists and holders of valid certificates of registration and valid professional
identification cards issued by the Board and the Commission pursuant to this Act; and
2. Holders of valid temporary/special permits issued by the Board and the Commission to foreign
licensed criminologists pursuant to this Act.
Juridical persons:
1. Single proprietorship whose owner and technical staff are registered criminologists;
2. Partnership duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as fessional
partnership pursuant to the Civil Code Code and composed of partners majority of whom are
registered criminologists;
3. Corporation duly registered with the SEC SEC as engaged in the practice of criminology and with
officers and Board of Directors who are all registered criminologists; and
4. Association and cooperative duly registered with the appropriate government agency as a non-
stock corporation where majority of the officers Board of Trustees and members are registered
criminologists.
Areas of Study in Philippine Criminology
Under existing laws, criminology covers six principal areas identified in relation to the licensure
examination for criminologist, which are:

1. Sociology of Law - which pertains to the study of law and its application. This is particularly under
the area called Criminal Jurisprudence and Procedures.
2. Law Enforcement - which refers to the manner in which authorities enforce the local and national
laws of the land. It is more related to matters involving police management and administration or
policing in general.
3. Forensic Science -or the study regarding "instrumentation" involving the tools in crime detection
and criminal identification. This belongs to the area called Criminalistics.
4. Criminal Detection - which pertains to the processes of crime detection and the identification of
criminal offenders. This belongs to the area called Crime Detection and Investigation.
5. Criminal Etiology - which include the scientific analysis of the causes of crime and the study of
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criminal behavior. This is more accurately known under the area called Criminal Sociology.
6. Penology - refers to the study that deals with the punishment and the treatment of criminal
offenders. It is described under the area known as Correctional Administration.

Importance of Studying Criminology

Studying crime is very important as people's interest about it is highly regarded high. However, has
always been a problem. The offer of simple understanding why it occurs and what to do about it solutions
for obliterating crime is not enough because of its complexities. But understanding crime as a complex
phenomenon can be:
1. Source of Philosophy of Life - The knowledge derived from studying crime is a good found for an
individual's philosophy and lifestyle
2. Background for a Profession or for social service. Because criminals are legitimate objects of
interest, they should be understood in order to know how to control them.
3. Provide Control Measures because crime is a costly problem, the value of property lost, medical
expenses, insurance, moving costs, and intangible costs of pain and suffering is too high as a result of
victimization. The study of it brings us control and security measures.
Theoretically, crimes should be studied and investigated in order to determine the causes of social
disorganization. Practically, the study will give us the ways and means of preventing crimes and reform
and criminal offenders.

Purposes of Studying Criminology

Studying criminology is aimed towards the following:
1. The primary aim is to prevent the crime problem.
2. To understand crimes and criminals which are basic to knowing the actions to be done to prevent
them.
3. To prepare for a career in law enforcement and scientific crime detection.
4. To develop an understanding of the constitutional guarantees and due process of
5. To foster a higher concept of citizenry and law in the administration of justice. leadership together
with an understanding of one moral and legal responsibilities to his fellow men, his community and
the nation.
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Nature of Criminology
Understanding crime is as complex as other fields of interest. As earlier stated, criminology is a
multidisciplinary science. It requires therefore a systematic and balanced knowledge in the examination of
why they exist. In such a case, criminology is considered:
1. Applied Science - Anthropology, psychology, sociology and other natural sciences may be applied
in the study of the causes of crime while chemistry, medicine, physics, mathematics, etc. may be
utilized in crime detection.
2. Social Science In as much as crime is a societal creation and that it exists in a society, its study
must be considered a part of social its science.
3. Dynamic Discipline Criminology changes as social condition changes. That means the progress
of criminology is concordant with the advancement of other sciences that have been applied to it.
4. Nationalistic in Nature The study of crime must always be in relation with the existing criminal law
within the territory.

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Nature of Criminology. Let’s move on to the next higher level
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