Criminology

Actus Reus

A guilty act in legal terms; the physical act of committing a crime.

Mens Rea

A guilty mind; the mental state or intention to commit a crime.

Summary offences

Less serious criminal offences that are tried in a magistrates court.

Indictable offence

More serious criminal offences that are tried in a crown court before a judge.

Legal definition of crime

Any action that is forbidden by criminal law

Social definition of crime

Anything that a society deems unacceptable, regardless of legal definitions.

Caesar Lombroso

Criminologist who proposed the theory of atavism, suggesting that criminals are evolutionary throwbacks. He studied prisoners skulls and faces to identify physical features associated with criminal behavior.

Caesar Lombroso

An early criminologist known for his theory that criminal behavior is inherent and can be identified by physical characteristics.