The scientific study of crime and criminal behavior, including its causes, consequences, and control

Focuses on free will, rational choice, and deterrence. Punishment should fit the crime.

Emphasizes biological, psychological, and social factors influencing criminal behavior. Focuses on rehabilitation.

Explore genetic predispositions, neurological factors, and hormonal influences on criminal behavior.

Examine individual traits like personality disorders, psychopathy, and learned behaviors contributing to crime.

Focus on societal factors like poverty, inequality, and social disorganization as causes of crime.

Individuals learn criminal behavior through observation, imitation, and reinforcement.

Crime results from the strain between societal goals and the legitimate means to achieve them.

Focuses on the bonds that prevent individuals from committing crime (attachment, commitment, involvement, belief).

Society's reaction to crime creates criminals through labeling and stigmatization.

Crime is a result of power struggles and inequalities within society.

Official data collected by law enforcement agencies (e.g., UCR, NCVS). Limitations include underreporting and biases.

FBI's data collection program on crimes reported to law enforcement.

A survey of households to measure crime victimization, including unreported crimes.

Violent crimes (murder, assault, robbery), property crimes (burglary, larceny, arson), white-collar crimes, organized crime, cybercrime.

The system of institutions and processes responsible for enforcing criminal law. Includes law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

The legal rights afforded to individuals accused of crimes, ensuring fair treatment.

Strategies to reduce crime rates, including situational crime prevention, community policing, and restorative justice.

Analyzing behavioral patterns and characteristics of offenders to assist in investigations.

The study of victims of crime, including their characteristics, experiences, and needs.

The tendency of convicted criminals to re-offend.

The death penalty as a punishment for certain crimes. Ethical and legal debates surround its use.

The branch of the criminal justice system responsible for managing and supervising offenders after conviction. Includes prisons, jails, probation, and parole.

Efforts to reform offenders and reduce recidivism through programs and treatment.

The idea that punishment discourages criminal behavior. Specific deterrence targets individual offenders; general deterrence aims to discourage others.