Criminology is the scientific and interdisciplinary study of crime, criminal behavior, and the societal responses to crime. It draws on principles from sociology, psychology, economics, anthropology, biology, and other fields to understand the causes, nature, and effects of crime as well as to develop methods for its prevention and control
. Key aspects of criminology include:
- Examining the characteristics and motivations of people who commit crimes
- Investigating why crimes occur and the social and psychological factors involved
- Studying the impact of crime on individuals and communities
- Analyzing how laws are developed and enforced and how justice systems function
- Exploring crime prevention strategies and rehabilitation of offenders
Criminology differs from criminal justice in that it focuses more on understanding the causes and effects of crime from a scientific and sociological perspective, whereas criminal justice deals more with the practical administration of laws and law enforcement
. Overall, criminology aims to provide evidence-based insights to inform public policy, improve criminal justice systems, and enhance public safety through research and analysis
