CRIMINOLOGY: THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF CRIME AND CRIMINALS

(BY- YASH VASHISHTA AND MANJIT SINGH)

Abstract

The purpose to study criminology is essential for reforming of criminal justice system as it will provide insights into the causes of crime , effective strategies and helps develop evidence based policies to address underlying issues in a more holistic manner. Criminology is the scientific study of crime, criminal behavior and the factors contributing in making of a criminal. In this comprehensive exploration we will study about the various aspects of criminology , which includes study of crime, study of criminals, reasons why criminals commit crime and types of crimes and their potential solutions

In this we are going to study about the various theories of criminology. We are also going to learn about different schools of criminology and why criminology is important and what is the motive of criminology.

Introduction

Before considering what criminology is, let us first know who are criminals. Criminals are individuals who have been found guilty of committing a crime. A crime means any action committed by a person violating the norms of the society or state regulations.

Criminology is the study of crime, criminals and criminal behavior. Criminology helps in shaping policies and other strategies to reduce crime rate and to reform the criminal justice system.

EH Sutherland says crime is a social phenomenon and it includes within it the process of making laws ,breaking laws and reactions towards breaking of laws.

THEORIES OF CRIMINOLOGY:

There are some theories of criminology which are as follows:

THEORY OF PRE CLASSICAL SCHOOL-

Pre classical criminological theory back to the 17th century were more often of a religious explanations for criminal behavior.

The theory was based on the supernatural perspectives.

According to preclassical theory the crime committed by criminals were due to demonic possessions or due to supernatural forces.

Punishments were given by the ways of 5 ordeals.

Those 5 ordeals were-1) Balance

2) Fire[walk on fire]

3) Water[made to jump in water from cliff of a mountain]

4) Poison

5) Kosa [ holy water given to drink if vomit blood then considered as criminal]

THEORY OF CLASSICAL SCHOOL-

Classical school of criminology takes back to 18th century.

According to Beccaria there is no evil spirit or supernatural perspectives for crime to happen. Beccaria challenged the theory of pre classical school of criminology.

According to the theory of classical school of criminologymental phenomenon is the cause for crime.

Beccaria was so influenced by the theory of free will.

Theory of free will which means it depends on the criminal to commit crime it their free will

THEORY OF NEO CLASSICAL SCHOOL-

The neo classical school recognized the very first need for variations in sentencing depending upon the sex, age ,mental state , conditions , intensity of crime committed.

Positive School Of Criminology

This school is also called as Italian School of criminology as the main exponents of this school are Italian.

The main exponents of this school of criminology were:-

Cesare Lombroso

Raffaele Garafalo

Enrico Ferri

CESARE LOMBROSO-

He is the one who made the first attempt to understand the personality of the offenders in physical terms.

He classified criminals into three categories

• The atavist

• Insane criminals [mentally unstable criminals]

• Criminoids [defect/ physical defect]

ENRICO FERRI-

He challenged the lombrosian view of criminality.

TYPES OF CRIMINALS ACCORDING TO POSITIVE SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY

1) Born criminals

2) Occasional criminals

3) Passionate criminals

4) Insane criminals

5) Habitual criminals

According to him, Emotional reaction, social infirmity and geographical conditions also plays a vital role in determining the criminal tendency.