MODULE 1: CONCEPTS OF CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE

INSTRUCTOR: BACACAO, JACKSON B. RCrim

OBJECTIVES:
 Define Criminology
 Understand the nature scope and purposes of the study of criminology

INTRODUCTION:
Introduction to Criminology offers a contemporary and integrated discussion of the key theories that help us
understand crime in the 21st century. With a focus on why offenders commit crimes, this bestseller skillfully
engages students with real-world cases and examples to help students explore the fundamentals of criminology.
To better align with how instructors actually teach this course, coverage of violent and property crimes has been
integrated into the theory chapters, so students can clearly understand the application of theory to criminal
behavior.

TOPIC 1: WHAT IS CRIMINOLOGY?

Simply stated, criminology is the study of crimes and criminals. According to Edwin Sutherland and Donald
Cressey, Criminology is the body of knowledge regarding crime as a social phenomenon. It includes within its
scope the processes of making laws, of breaking laws, and of reacting toward the breaking of laws.
In the Philippines, Criminology is defined under Sec 4 (e), Republic Act No. 11131 otherwise known as The
Philippine Criminology Profession Act of 2018 which “refers to the scientific study of crimes, criminals, and
victims, it also deals with the prevention, and solution of crimes.” A registered criminologist is a person who
holds valid certificate of registration and an updated professional identification card as criminologist issued by
the Professional Regulation Commission.
In Section 34 of the same law, it enumerates the following privileges of registered criminologists, to wit: shall
be exempt from taking any other entrance or qualifying government or civil service examinations and shall be
considered civil service eligible to the following government positions, among others:

1. Dactylographer 15. Associate Graft Investigation Officer

2. Ballistician 16. Special Police Officer
3. Questioned Document Examiner 17. Safekeeping Officer
4. Forensic Photographer 18. Sheriff
5. Polygraph Examiner 19. Security Officer
6. Probation Officer 20. Criminal Investigator
7. Parole Officer 21. Warden
8. Special Investigator 22. Reformation Officer
9. Special Agent 23. Firefighter
10. Investigative Agent 24. Fire Marshall
11. Intelligence Agent 25. Jail Officer up to the rank of Jail Superintendent
12. Law Enforcement Evaluation Officer 26. Police Officer up to the rank of Police
13. National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Lieutenant Colonel
Inspector 27. Other law enforcement agencies, and agencies
14. Traffic Operation Officer under the Criminal Justice System

The primary responsibility of registered criminologist is to bear faithful allegiance to the Republic of the
Philippines and be loyal to his profession. They shall accept as a sacred obligation and responsibility as citizens
to support the Constitution of the Philippines and as a Registered Criminologist to defend the principles of
liberty as defined in the Constitution and Laws. They shall strive to improve their effectiveness by diligent
study and sincere attention to improvement and welcome the opportunity to disseminate practical and useful
information relating to matters accruing to the benefit of public safety and welfare.
INDEED, Criminologist is a NOBLE PROFESSION and worthy of emulation.

TOPIC 2: Nature Scope and Purposes of the Study of Criminology

Criminology is an interdisciplinary profession built around the scientific study of crime and criminal behavior,
including their manifestations, causes, legal aspects and control. Being interdisciplinary it draws upon other
discipline to provide an integrated approach to understanding the problem of crime in contemporary society and
to advance solutions to the problem crimes creates. Thus, the following disciplines are involved in criminology,
to wit:

1. CRIMINAL ANTHROPOLOGY: is a field of science that studies people and the crimes that they
commit and how they relate. The criminal anthropology definition includes studying crime in a scientific
way. The idea of criminal anthropology was first stated by Cesare Lombroso. Lombroso stated that a
person could be a "born criminal" and their criminality would be evidenced by specific physical
 features. Due to the idea of specific physical features for criminals, the field of criminal anthropology
began.
There were many criticisms to Lombroso's criminal anthropological ideas, many of which were due to the racist
nature of the qualifications of a "born criminal." Most of the characteristics he described were characteristics of
non-white individuals. Additionally, his theory that these physical characteristics made someone more likely to
commit a crime could not be tested appropriately. There was inherent bias when data was gathered to test this
information. There was also very poor technique in receiving samples to test the theory. His theory also did not
account for physical characteristics that were a result of factors such as being in a low socioeconomic status and
being unable to have access to appropriate food resources. An example of this would be misshapen bone
structure due to malnutrition.
2. CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGY: Scope includes the study of the psychological traits of the criminal, or his
basic psychological characteristics which are moral insensibility and improvidence.
3. CRIMINAL STATISTICS: Studies the relation of causality between certain personal conditions,
physical and social phenomena and criminality, its increase or decrease and form of its appearance.
4. CRIMINAL SOCIOLOGY: It embraces all branches of criminal science including criminal law and
transforms the science of crimes and penalty into one of positive observation.
5. CRIMINAL POLITICS: a science consisting of principles with which the state organizes its fight
against criminality. The bases are knowledge of criminal law, of criminality, penalties and other
measures of social defense.
6. FORENSIC MEDICINE: the application of chemical principles in the solution of problems that arise in
connection.
The study of criminology is a complex phenomenon which requires a methodical and balanced approach of
study taking into consideration the following nature:

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;
2. IT IS A SOCIAL SCIENCE: since crime is a social creation and that it exists in the society, its study
therefore is considered part of social science;
3. IT IS DYNAMIC: Criminology changes as social condition changes. It is concominant with the
advancement of other sciences that have been applied to it; and
4. IT IS NATIONALISTIC: the study of crimes must be in relation with the existing criminal law within a
territory or country. This is so because the power to define and punish crime is enjoyed by the state in
accordance to its police power.
The study of criminology covers the origin and development of criminal or penal law; crime causation; and
factors that enhance the development of criminal behavior such as criminal demography, criminal
epidemiology, criminal ecology, criminal psychology, criminal psychiatry and victimology, defined as follow:

1. Criminal demography: study of the relationship between criminology and population

2. Criminal Epidemiology: study of the relationship between environment and criminality.
3. Criminal Ecology: study of criminality in relation to special distribution in a community.
4. Criminal Physical Anthropology: study of criminality in relation to physical constitution of humans.
5. Criminal Psychology: study of human behavior in relation to criminality; and
6. Victimology: study of the role of the victim in the commission of crime.

TOPIC 3: CRIMINAL JUSTICE:

Criminal justice is the delivery of justice to those who have been accused of committing crimes. The criminal
justice system is a series of government agencies and institutions. Goals include the rehabilitation of offenders,
preventing other crimes, and moral support for victims. The primary institutions of the criminal justice system
are the police, prosecution and defense lawyers, the courts and the prisons system.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: