Intro to crim

1. Definition of Criminology

  • Scientific study of crime, criminals, and criminal behavior.

  • Aims to understand causes, prevention, and justice system responses.

  • Multi-disciplinary: Integrates law, psychology, sociology, forensics, and more.

2. Key Terms

  • Crime: Act/omission punishable by law.

  • Criminal: Person who commits a crime.

  • Deviance: Violates norms but not necessarily illegal.

  • Criminal Justice System: Police, courts, corrections.

3. Schools of Thought

  1. Classical School (18th century)

    • Cesare Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham.

    • Crime = rational choice; punishment should be swift, certain, proportionate.

    • Focus: Deterrence.

  2. Positivist School (19th century)

    • Cesare Lombroso ("Father of Criminology").

    • Crime caused by biological, psychological, social factors (not just free will).

    • Later discredited but introduced scientific methods.

  3. Sociological Theories (Late 19th–20th century)

    • Durkheim (Anomie): Breakdown of norms → crime.

    • Merton (Strain Theory): Crime due to gap between goals/means.

    • Sutherland (Differential Association): Crime learned through social groups.

  4. Chicago School (Early 20th century)

    • Crime linked to urban environments, poverty, weak institutions.

    • Example: High crime in "zones of transition".

  5. Critical Criminology (Mid-20th century–present)

    • Focus: Power, inequality, oppression.

    • Includes:

      • Marxist Theory: Laws protect the powerful.

      • Feminist Criminology: Gender-based crime analysis.

      • Postmodernism: Crime definitions vary by culture/context.

  6. Modern Developments

    • Integrated Theories: Combines bio-psycho-social factors.

    • Victimology: Study of victims’ experiences.

    • Restorative Justice: Repair harm via dialogue (e.g., mediation).

    • Human Rights Perspective: Fair, humane justice systems.

4. Philippine Context

  • RA 11131 (Criminology Profession Act, 2018): Regulates criminology practice, licensure exams, ethical standards.

5. Nature of Criminology

  • Scientific: Empirical research, data analysis.

  • Dynamic: Evolves with technology/society (e.g., cybercrime).

  • Applied: Used in policing, corrections, policymaking.