What Types of Methods Do Criminologists Use?
Criminologists use social and psychological study of crime and the criminal justice system to analyze criminals and the crimes committed. Most criminologist work takes place in either law enforcement by capturing suspects and developing methods to solve crimes, or in psychology by giving counsel to convicts or victims of crime. Investigative and research methods assist criminologist in finding out the reason for crimes and how to rehabilitate criminals.
Other People Are Reading
-
Data Study
-
Criminologists analyze social backgrounds of criminals to determine methods in reducing negative societal behaviors. By using analytical methods in studying criminal background data, criminologists with careers as social workers can introduce programs to educate people living in poor conditions on ways to better their lives without joining gangs and committing crimes. This helps to show people that they can make an honest living.
Criminal Study
-
Criminologists who give counseling services study arrests and convictions to understand the criminal's mind and develop appropriate rehabilitative activities. The criminologist evaluates the criminal's past, searching for those incidents that may have influenced him into a life of crime. With understanding of the criminal's background and psychotherapy, criminologists can tell whether the person is fit to reenter society, or may need additional counseling.
-
Crime Theory
-
Criminologists who study the theories of crime and the criminal justice system investigate how arrests and convictions affect criminals. Lawyers with backgrounds in criminology use this understanding to argue court cases on whether the punishment is suitable for the type of crime committed based on the client's personal history. Criminologists also develop ways to prevent criminals with minor offenses from becoming influenced by hardened criminals and possibly committing even worse crimes when leaving the prison system. Prevention methods may include reducing prison sentences or suggesting alternate holding facilities.
Scientific Methods
-
When a crime occurs, criminologists develop scientific methods to study crime scene clues. People involved with criminology, such as state medical officers, police officers and forensic lab technicians, all use tools to detect how the crime took place, what happened to the victim and who the perpetrator is. Such scientific methods involve the use of lie detectors, fingerprinting tools, ballistic check techniques and postmortem investigations.
-
References
- Photo Credit George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images
