CRIMINOLOGY
Criminology is a scientific study of crime
Crime Definition
“Crime is an action forbidden by the law of the land and for which the penalty is
perceived.” Clarence Darrow
Marxist writers on crime:
Marixt says that the whole society is based on the exploitation of the working class by
the ruling class. The ruling class is ruled by means of social control.
He refers to only a sub section of those behaviors committed by young, poorly educated
males who are often unemployed, live in working class improvised neighborhoods and
frequently belong to an ethnic minority.
Views of Emile Durkheim:
Durkheim is a French sociologist. He argued that crime is an inevitable and normal
aspect of social life. ... His definition of crime is based on 3:
• Crime is inevitable : He says that crime is unavoidable because not every member
of society can be equally committed to the collective sentiments. Every individual
brought up in a different way, has different values, norms and influences. It's impossible
to be alike so if anyone is not able to express their sentiments, they break the law and
commit crime.
• Crime performs positive functions - A certain amount of crime contributes to the
well-being of a society. Some of them are:
Social regulation: Each time the Police arrest a person, they are making it clear to the
rest of society that the particular action concerned is unacceptable. the courts and the
media are ‘broadcasting’ the boundaries of acceptable behaviour, warning others not to
breach the walls of the law.
Social Integration: A second function of crime is to actually strengthen social cohesion.
For example, when particularly horrific crimes have been committed, the whole
community joins together in outrage and the sense of belonging to a community is
therefore strengthened. For example Noor Muqadam Murder
, case
• Too much crime is bad for society- It can help bring about its collapse, hence
institutions of social control are necessary to keep the amount of crime in check.
DEFINITIONS OF CRIME:
SOCIAL: Socially, Crime is an act which harms another society, community or a
social group as a whole.
LEGAL: Legally, breaking the laws given by institution
RELIGIOUS: Religiously , crime is an act or action which violates the religious
values or norms or principles by Allah or sovereignty. Religious offense is any action
which offends religious sensibilities and arouses serious negative
emotions in people with strong belief.
Elements of crime:
1. Human being
2. Men’s rea - a person who is mentally , intentionally prepared to commit crime
called mens rea.
3. Actus rea - It means a person who commits crime by action.
4. Harm - It means a person who commits crime, his actions harm the organization
or any institution or a person (emotionally, physically and mentally)
Criminology is a scientific study of crime
Crime Definition
“Crime is an action forbidden by the law of the land and for which the penalty is
perceived.” Clarence Darrow
Marxist writers on crime:
Marixt says that the whole society is based on the exploitation of the working class by
the ruling class. The ruling class is ruled by means of social control.
He refers to only a sub section of those behaviors committed by young, poorly educated
males who are often unemployed, live in working class improvised neighborhoods and
frequently belong to an ethnic minority.
Views of Emile Durkheim:
Durkheim is a French sociologist. He argued that crime is an inevitable and normal
aspect of social life. ... His definition of crime is based on 3:
• Crime is inevitable : He says that crime is unavoidable because not every member
of society can be equally committed to the collective sentiments. Every individual
brought up in a different way, has different values, norms and influences. It's impossible
to be alike so if anyone is not able to express their sentiments, they break the law and
commit crime.
• Crime performs positive functions - A certain amount of crime contributes to the
well-being of a society. Some of them are:
Social regulation: Each time the Police arrest a person, they are making it clear to the
rest of society that the particular action concerned is unacceptable. the courts and the
media are ‘broadcasting’ the boundaries of acceptable behaviour, warning others not to
breach the walls of the law.
Social Integration: A second function of crime is to actually strengthen social cohesion.
For example, when particularly horrific crimes have been committed, the whole
community joins together in outrage and the sense of belonging to a community is
therefore strengthened. For example Noor Muqadam Murder
, case
• Too much crime is bad for society- It can help bring about its collapse, hence
institutions of social control are necessary to keep the amount of crime in check.
DEFINITIONS OF CRIME:
SOCIAL: Socially, Crime is an act which harms another society, community or a
social group as a whole.
LEGAL: Legally, breaking the laws given by institution
RELIGIOUS: Religiously , crime is an act or action which violates the religious
values or norms or principles by Allah or sovereignty. Religious offense is any action
which offends religious sensibilities and arouses serious negative
emotions in people with strong belief.
Elements of crime:
1. Human being
2. Men’s rea - a person who is mentally , intentionally prepared to commit crime
called mens rea.
3. Actus rea - It means a person who commits crime by action.
4. Harm - It means a person who commits crime, his actions harm the organization
or any institution or a person (emotionally, physically and mentally)
