INTRODUCTION TO

CRIMINOLOGY
EVOLUTION OF THE WORD “CRIMINOLOGY”

• Etymological definition, LATIN “crimen” – accusation

• Greek “logos”- To STUDY

Criminologia Criminologie
• IN 1885, RAFAEL GAROFALO, Italian law professor coined the term “criminologia”
1885 1887
• IN 1887, PAUL TOPINARD, FRENCH ANTHROPOLOGIST, used the term criminology in
Italian word French word
French “criminologie” for the first time.
Rafaelle Garofalo- Italian law professor Paul Topinard- French Anthropologist
 WHAT IS CRIMINOLOGY?

• According to Edwin H. Sutherland, “criminology is the entire body of knowledge regarding

crime as a social phenomenon. It includes within its scope the process of making of laws, of
breaking of laws, and the reaction towards the breaking of laws.”
• A body of knowledge regarding crimes, criminals and the efforts of society to prevent and
repress them.
• The scientific study of the causes of crime in relation to man and society who sets and define
rules and regulations for himself and others to govern.
 OTHER DEFINITION OF CRIMINOLOGY

• Criminology explores the etiology (origin), extent, and nature of crime in society. It is concerned
with identifying the nature, extent, and cause of crime.

• RA 11131- It also refers to the scientific study of crimes, criminals, and victims. It also deals
with the prevention, and solution of crimes.
QUESTION: IS CRIMINOLOGY A SCIENCE?
• According to George Wilker, criminology cannot become a science because it has not
yet acquired universal validity.

• Edwin H. Sutherland, hoped that it will become a science in the future since the causes
of crimes are almost the same which may be biological, environmental or combination
of the two.

• General term, is criminology a science?

• Specific, is criminology a science? -RA 11131
 WHO IS GEORGE WILKER?

• GEORGE L. WILKER – A criminologist who in his manuscript “The Scientific

Adequacy of Criminological Concept” argued that criminology cannot possibly
become a science. Accordingly, general proposition of universal validity is the
essence of science. (example)
 WHO IS EDWIN SUTHERLAND?

• WHO IS EDWIN SUTHERLAND? Author of the “Differential Association Theory

Note: DAT proposed that criminal behavior is a product of learning process through
socialization with other people that possess criminal behavior.
• Coined the phrase “White Collar Crime” Note: WCC – these are crimes which are
committed by people belonging to higher social or economic status. Sometimes called
as economic crime, financial crime or crime of the upper-world.
• Comprehensively defined “Criminology”
• Considered as the Dean of Modern Criminology
• Father or Pioneer of American Criminology
• Edwin Sutherland is clear on explaining that criminology focuses on
studying crime as something or an event that could be considered as a
social phenomenon or something that can happen in a repetitive manner.
Sutherland also pointed that criminology not only deals with
understanding the nature of criminal laws that exists in our society but
also with understanding the reasons why people despite of existing laws
still break and violate laws. Finally, Sutherland suggested in his definition
of criminology that this study must also give attention to the proper
punishment or penalty to prevent and repress crime and criminal behavior
 NATURE OF CRIMINOLOGY
• 1. It is an applied science because criminology as a body of knowledge has already
established universally accepted principles and concepts used by other fields of study. It is the
use of sciences in the practice of criminology. The process is called “Instrumentation”
• . 2. It is a social science because it studies crime as a social phenomenon. Crime is a social
problem which has a great impact to society. Crime is a social creation and it exists in a
society being a social phenomenon.
• 3. It is dynamic because the concepts of criminology and its applications adapt to the
changing time. Criminology changes as a social condition change. It is concomitant with
the advancement of other sciences that have been applied to it.
• 4. It is nationalistic because the study of criminology takes into consideration the history,
culture and social norms and the laws of the country. Each country has its own sets of laws
and crimes are defined by the laws of the country.
PRINCIPAL DIVISIONS OF CRIMINOLOGY
• ETIOLOGY OF CRIMES/CRIMINAL ETIOLOGY- the scientific analysis of the causes of crimes and
the criminal behavior. / an attempt at scientific analysis of the cause of crime.
• SOCIOLOGY OF LAW- refers to the investigation of the nature of criminal law and its administration. An
attempt at scientific analysis of the conditions under which criminal laws has developed as a process of
formal or social control.
• PENOLOGY- the study of the control of crimes and the rehabilitation of offenders. It is a division of
criminology which deals with punishment of crime and jail management. It is also concerned with crime
control by repressing criminal activities through fear of punishment.