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1) Introduction
2) Basic Definitions
3) The Three (3) Principal Divisions of
Criminology
4) Criminological Theories – The Thirteen (13)
Basic Identifiable Types
5) The Two (2) Major Classifications of CRIME
6) Classical Criminology
7) Criminology Schools of Thought
8) Conclusion
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The word ‘Crime’ in modern dictionary
definitions lends itself to a variety of
meanings. It has a legal meaning. It is “an
act (…) forbidden by a public law of a
sovereign state” as injurious to the public
welfare, which, after indictment and trial,
may be punishable by the judgement of a
court. (Merriam-Webster’s 3rd, 1976)

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 1) Felony 2) Misdemeanor
A felony is a serious crime A misdemeanor is a crime for which
punishable by at least one the punishment is usually a fine
year in prison. Some family and or up to one year in a jail.
law felonies include Often a crime which is a
kidnapping and custodial misdemeanor for the first-offender,
interference (in some becomes a felony for repeated
states). offences. All crimes that are not
felonies are misdemeanors.

3) CRIME A crime is a wrongdoing classified by the state as a felony or

misdemeanor. It is also an offence against a public law. This word -
CRIME, in its strictest sense, includes all offences, but in its more limited
sense is confined to felony.

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4) Criminology
Criminology is the scientific approach to the study of the
nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal behavior
It uses scientific methods to:
a) Pose research questions to arrive at Hypotheses,
Gather data, create theories, and test their validity
b) Types of Research to conduct:
i. Observational Research;
ii. Experimental Research;
iii. Longitudinal Research (Cohort groups)
iv. Survey Research (cross-sectional research);
v. Aggregate Data Research

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Criminology integrates knowledge from many
fields:
1) Criminal Justice
2) Sociology
3) Psychology
4) Economics
5) Political Science
6) Natural Sciences (especially Biology)

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1) Utilitarian philosophy of Becarria
2) Biological determinism of Lombroso
3) Social theory of Durkheim
4) Political philosophy of Marx

Criminology - Explains etiology, extent, &

nature of crime
Criminal Justice - Describes, analyzes, &
explains behavior & operation of agencies of
justice & effective methods of crime control,
sentencing, treatment, etc. 8
Criminology consists of three (3) principal divisions, Namely:
1) The SOCIOLOGY OF LAW - Which is an attempt at
scientific analysis ;
2) CRIMINAL ETIOLOGY - Which is an attempt at scientific
analysis of the study of the causes or reasons for crime)
3) PENOLOGY - Which is concerned with the control of crime,
including the study, theory, and practice of prison
management and criminal rehabilitation

Every Criminological theory contains a set of:

i. ASSUMPTIONS - About human nature, social structure,
and the principles of causation etc;
ii. DESCRIPTION of the phenomena to be explained i.e. Facts a
theory must fit, and, an;
iii. EXPLANATION, or PREDICTION, of that phenomenon

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These theories are primarily concerned with
ETIOLOGY - i.e. The study of causes or reasons for
crime, but occasionally have important things to say
about actors in the criminal justice system, such as
Police, Attorneys, Correctional personnel, and
Victims.

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 There are thirteen (13) basic identifiable types of
criminological theory, The oldest theory (BIOCHEMISTRY)
goes back to 1876 and the last four theories:
The Thirteen (13) Basic Identifiable Types of Criminological Theory
Theory Causes
Heredity, Vitamin deficiency, Allergy, Tumor, Toxins, Brain dysfunction,
1 Biochemistry
Hormonal imbalance
2 Psychology Low intelligence, Psycho-pathy, Stress
3 Ecology Disorganised Neighborhoods
4 Strain Economic goal blockage
5 Learning Limitation, Reinforcement schedules
6 Control Socialisation, Low self-control
7 Labeling Shunning, Identity immersion
8 Conflict Power differentials, Competition
9 Radical Class struggle, Capitalism
10 Left Realism Predatory relationships
11 Peacemaking Inner suffering and turmoil
12 Feminist Gender inequity, Patriarchy
13 Postmodern Hierarchical privileges and language 11
Criminology is a term used for the study of criminal behavior including factors and
causes of crime (Why people commit crime).
This study also deals with the social impact of any crime of the criminal itself and on
the victim and his or her family.
There are two (2) major classifications of crime in crime and criminal study –
(criminology):
1) The Classicistic approach - Here, is the study of the result of just a wrong
decision which can be taken in hurry and with the feeling of rage and anger to take
revenge;
2) The Positivist approach - Here, is the study in which a person loses its mental
control and will commit a crime.
Criminology is now developed as social phenomena to understand the
psychology that is working behind committing a crime along with study of
mentality of criminal before and after commending a crime.
In this modern scenario criminology is now selected as a discipline by many
people and scholar to under all the important factors related to this study of
crime.
The study of criminology deals with all factors related to crime. 12
Criminology is constituted of various theories and phenomena of crimes to
understand it completely. It is developing to be one of the most preferred careers
by people of this modern age. It has a unique significance in some of the modern
professions like law, journalism, fraud management and; the law enforcement e.g.
The Nigerian Police, EFCC, ICPC etc; along with all other defense forces which
make use of this study to understand the circumstances and situation behind a
crime. It is necessary to have some qualifications (e.g. Law, Psychology, CFA,
CFE, Cr.FA etc), in criminology to work in any field that is related to it.

Criminology is constituted of various theories and phenomena of crimes to

understand it completely. It is developing to be one of the most preferred careers
by people of this modern age. It has a unique significance in some of the modern
professions like law, journalism, fraud management and; the law enforcement e.g.
The Nigerian Police, EFCC, ICPC etc; along with all other defense forces which
make use of this study to understand the circumstances and situation behind a
crime. It is necessary to have some qualifications (e.g. Law, Psychology, CFA,
CFE, Cr.FA etc), in criminology to work in any field that is related to it.
In 1764, criminologist Cesare Beccaria wrote An Essay on Crimes and
Punishments, which set forth the classical criminological theory.
He argued that the only justified rationale for laws and punishments was the
principle of utility, i.e. the principle that a policy should provide “the greatest
happiness shared by the greatest number.” 13
Classical Criminology deals with theories that were used in pre-historic time to deal
with crimes and criminals which committed those crimes.
Beccaria believed the basis of society, as well as the origin of punishments and the
right to punish, is the social contract – [A social contract is an imaginary
agreement to sacrifice the minimum amount of liberty to prevent anarchy and
chaos].
Beccaria believed the best way to prevent and deter crime was to:
a) Enact laws that are clear, simple, and unbiased, and that reflect the consensus of
the population.
b) Educate the public.
c) Eliminate corruption from the administration of justice.
d) Reward virtue.
The only legitimate purpose of punishment is:
a) Special deterrence - The prevention of individuals from committing crime
again by punishing them, and;
b) General deterrence - The prevention of people in general or society at large
from engaging in crime by punishing specific individuals and making examples
of them.
Criminology, deals with study of criminals and crime, which they have committed.
There are basically two approaches used to study this criminal approach:
1) Classical approach, and;
2) Neo-Classical approach. 14
The main real-world drawbacks of Beccaria’s theory are:
a) Not all offenders are alike - Juveniles are treated the same as
adults.
b) Similar crimes are not always as similar as they might appear -
First-time offenders are treated the same as repeat offenders.

Neo-classical theory introduced the idea of:

a) Pre-meditation as a measure of the degree of free will;
b) Mitigating circumstances as legitimate grounds for diminished
responsibility
Classical theory was difficult to apply in practice. It was modified in
the early 1800s and became known as Neo-Classical theory, i.e.
A modification of classical theory in which it was conceded that
certain factors, such as insanity, might inhibit the exercise of free
will.
Classical and Neo-classical theory, are the basis of the criminal
justice system in the entire world! 15
Classical theory was difficult to apply in practice. It was modified
in the early 1800s and became known as Neo-Classical
theory, i.e. A modification of classical theory in which it was
conceded that certain factors, such as insanity, might inhibit the
exercise of free will.
Classical and neo-classical theory is the basis of the criminal
justice system in the entire world!

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School One - Positivist Approaches to Explaining Crime

A. The Theory
The theory of the positivist school of criminology grew out of
positive philosophy and the logic and methodology of
experimental science.
a) The key assumptions of the positivist school of thought were:
b) Human behavior is determined and not a matter of free will.
c) Criminals are fundamentally different from non-criminals.
d) Social scientists can be objective in their work.
e) Crime is, frequently caused, by multiple factors.
f) Society is, based on consensus, but not on a social contract.

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School One - Positivist Approaches to Explaining Crime
B. The Problems

a) The problems with positivist assumptions are that

they:
b) Account for too much crime.
c) Ignore the process by which behaviors are made
illegal.
d) Assume that most people agree about most things
most of the time.
e) Believe that action is determined by causes
independent of a person’s free will.
f) Believe that social scientists will be objective in their
work.

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To understand criminal justice, it is necessary to understand
crime.
Most policy-making in criminal justice is based on
criminological theory, whether the people making those
policies know it or not.
Thus, Generally:
a) Crime is nothing but what the Social group decides it to
be.
b) Crime is expected in all Societies, where human beings,
with different characters live
c) Not all Crime theories hold true for all cases and
Jurisdictions, due to differences in values
d) Crime Prevention
i. Each crime should be studied well before looking for its
preventive laws
ii. Criminals should be re-integrated into the society, after
serving their punishments.
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