Criminology

Criminology comprises the body of knowledge dealing with the causes and consequences of crime as a social phenomenon. Criminology also involves study of criminal behavior, and the impact of laws on human behavior (and vice versa). Though both deal with crime, criminology differs from criminal justice in that criminal justice focuses on the components of the justice system including police, courts, and corrections.

Types and definitions of crime

Both the positivist and classical schools take a consensus view of crime – that a crime is an act that violates the basic values and beliefs of society. Those values and beliefs are manifested as laws that society agrees upon. However, there are two types of laws:

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• Natural laws are rooted in core values shared by many cultures. Natural laws protect against harm to persons (e.g. murder, rape, assault) or property (theft, larceny, robbery).
• Statutory laws are passed by legislatures and reflect current cultural mores. In the United States, such laws include those that prohibit marijuana use and gambling. When it comes to such laws, there is often great societal debate rather than consensus.

Therefore, definitions of crimes will vary from place to place, in accordance to the cultural mores.

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