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Criminology_It's Nature & Structure_Ch1

Page 1: Criminology: Its Nature & Structure

Introduction

  • Focus on the concept of criminology, its nature, and its structural components.

Page 2: What is Crime?

Definitions and Concepts

  • Socially Relative Concept: Crime is defined relative to societal norms and values.

  • Violation of Law: Crime involves violating criminal laws established by federal legislation.

  • Relevant Acts: Key pieces of legislation include:

    • Criminal Code, 1985

    • Firearms Act, 1995

    • Youth Criminal Justice Act, 2002

    • Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, 1996

  • Legal Definition: Crime or offence is defined as an act punishable by the federal government.

  • Prosecution: Crimes are considered offences against the state, which prosecutes on behalf of the community and the victim.

  • Deviance: All crimes are forms of deviance, but not all deviance is classified as crime.

Page 3: Criminal Code of Canada (RSC, 1985, c. C-46)

Overview of the Criminal Code

  • Definition of Offences: Establishes what constitutes criminal behaviour.

  • Guilt and Participation: Includes rules on how individuals and organizations can be found guilty of crimes:

    • Aiding and abetting in criminal acts.

  • Defence Guidelines: Provides various defences available to the accused.

  • Punishment Framework: Specifies the types and degrees of punishment for convicted individuals.

  • Investigative Procedures: Outlines the powers and procedures for investigation and prosecution.

  • Sentencing Guidelines: Establishes guidelines for sentencing individuals convicted of crimes.

Page 4: What is Criminology?

Definition and Scope

  • Scientific Study: Broad definition encompasses the study of:

    • Criminal behaviour

    • Causes of crime

    • Crime prevention strategies

    • Punishment and rehabilitation methods for offenders.

  • Interdisciplinary Nature: Criminology integrates knowledge from various social and behavioural sciences.

  • Distinction from Forensic Fields: Often confused with criminalistics and forensic science, which focus primarily on investigation and evidence processing.

  • Focus on Explanation: Aims to explain criminal behaviour, including its causes, like aggression and anti-social traits.

  • Evolution of Theories: Earlier theories sought single causal factors for criminal behaviour, but the modern understanding is that crime results from multiple interacting factors.

Page 5: Kinds of Theories of Criminal Behaviour

Categories of Theoretical Approaches

  • Macro-level/Structural Theories:

    • Focus on social structures and socialization factors.

    • Primarily based in sociology and political economy.

  • Mid-level Interactionist Theories:

    • Investigate individual and socialization influences.

    • Rooted in social psychology.

  • Individual and Environmental Interaction Theories:

    • Explore the interplay between individual traits (genetics, neuroscience) and social experiences/environments.

    • Involves disciplines such as:

      • Evolutionary biology and psychology

      • Behavioral genetics and molecular genetics.