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.