It is a science that aims to study crimes, the place where the events were perpetrated and the offender himself, as well as deviant behaviors, control in society and their relationship with such an act. It is divided into different subtypes, each of them characterized by the research method they use, but all with the same purpose. Forensic criminology, for its part, is a branch that is responsible for investigating all kinds of criminal acts, using techniques to identify the subject linked to the criminal act.
What is criminology
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The Italian jurist Raffaele Garofalo is responsible for using the definition of criminology for the first time. Its purpose is to study, analyze, intervene and prevent crime and its perpetrator. Therefore, it aims to study antisocial behavior, which deviates from what is considered normal by society.
Criminology classes
There are different types, which are mentioned below:
Academic criminology
Made up of didactic systematization techniques that are used to simplify the teaching of general criminology.
Analytical criminology
Its objective is to determine if the different classes of this profession and criminal policy fulfill their function. It involves a series of operations that seek to demonstrate the validity or annulment of the criminologically stated.
Applied criminology
Made up of empirical and scientific contributions in its area. It focuses on the nature, motives and scope of the crime.
Scientific criminology
It is made up of theories, concepts, methods and results that refer to crime, this class is considered as a social and individual phenomenon.
Clinical criminology
This aspect is intended to give explanations regarding a crime, based on studies carried out on the offender, which is based on prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of an individual.
Forensic criminology
It is one of its most important branches, its objective is to study and investigate criminal events and, based on the results obtained, safeguard individual rights and guarantees.
The criminologist uses techniques and methods to identify individuals related to a crime, in addition to seeking and verifying the relevant evidence, but always respecting individual rights. In the same way, this in its forensic area carries out statistical investigations and studies that are related to a crime, will organize databases and create crime maps in different areas.
Differences between criminology and criminology
There are great differences between criminology and criminology, since on the one hand, criminology is in charge of explaining how a specific criminal act has happened, inquiring who the perpetrators were and their level of participation in the criminal act. through the use of elements such as ballistics, fingerprints, photography, huellography, among others.
For its part, the second, is based its study on the phenomenon of crime, focuses on the how and why of criminal acts and the social reaction to them, in order to understand the reasons for it and the forms in which it manifests itself.
Criminology schools
Around the world there are many universities that offer this career, they are in charge of preparing the student so that he can work together with other professionals and thus determine the motives of a crime.
For the study of this career it is necessary that the facilities used are adequate, that it has laboratories equipped with the required equipment and materials.
According to the educational legislation of each country, the subjects of this career may be different, however, for the most part they do not usually vary much.
The curriculum of this profession is quite extensive, it must contain at least the following subjects: scientific method, socio-criminology, psycho-criminology, criminal psychiatry, human rights, criminal justice, organized crime, investigation techniques, deprivation of liberty, drugs and drug addiction, among others.
Degree in criminology
For its study it is important to know the capabilities that are acquired and the applications that it will have. A graduate in this career will have the ability to carry out different functions, such as organizing, directing and planning laboratories or entire research departments, and may also carry out expert reports related to the identification of individuals who are related to a crime.