# criminology

> study of the causes and manifestations of crime

**Wikidata**: [Q161733](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q161733)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminology)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/criminology

## Summary
Criminology is the academic study of the causes and manifestations of crime, examining factors that lead to criminal behavior and how crime is understood and addressed in society.

## Key Facts
- Defined as the study of the causes and manifestations of crime
- Classified as an academic discipline (sitelink_count: 50) and academic major (sitelink_count: 8)
- Part of the broader social science field (sitelink_count: 143)
- Has been established since at least 1900 (inception: +1900-00-00T00:00:00Z)
- Has 83 Wikipedia sitelinks (sitelink_count: 83)
- Has multiple language designations including English, French, Italian, and Russian
- Associated with the International Society of Criminology (inception: +1937-07-16T00:00:00Z)

## FAQs
- What organizations is criminology associated with?  
  Criminology is associated with the International Society of Criminology, an international learned society established in 1937.
- What are some key figures in criminology?  
  Notable figures include Cesare Lombroso (Italian psychiatrist and criminologist), Edwin Sutherland (American criminologist), and Marie-Andrée Bertrand (French-Canadian feminist criminologist).
- What are the main schools of thought in criminology?  
  Major schools include the classical school (18th-century Enlightenment work by Bentham and Beccaria), critical criminology, and biosocial criminology.
- What academic disciplines does criminology relate to?  
  Criminology is part of the social sciences and intersects with fields like sociology, psychology, and law.

## Why It Matters
Criminology plays a crucial role in understanding criminal behavior and developing effective crime prevention strategies. By studying the causes and manifestations of crime, criminologists help develop evidence-based policies, improve law enforcement practices, and address the root causes of criminal activity. The field has significantly influenced criminal justice systems worldwide, leading to more nuanced approaches to punishment, rehabilitation, and prevention. Its interdisciplinary nature allows for comprehensive analysis of crime from biological, psychological, social, and environmental perspectives.

## Notable For
- Development of fingerprint classification systems by pioneer Juan Vucetich
- Establishment of the International Society of Criminology in 1937
- Influence on criminal justice policies through theories like strain theory and biosocial criminology
- Integration of biological and environmental factors in explaining criminal behavior
- Contribution to victimology as a distinct field of study
- Association with key works like Robert Louis Stevenson's "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde"

## Body
### History and Development
Criminology emerged as a distinct academic discipline in the early 20th century, evolving from earlier studies of criminal behavior and legal systems. The field has its roots in the Enlightenment period with the classical school of thought, represented by Jeremy Bentham and Cesare Beccaria, which emphasized rational choice and deterrence. The discipline has since expanded to include various theoretical perspectives and methodologies.

### Academic Classification
Criminology is classified as an academic discipline (sitelink_count: 50) and academic major (sitelink_count: 8), falling under the broader umbrella of social sciences (sitelink_count: 143). It encompasses multiple subfields and approaches, including victimology, critical criminology, and biosocial criminology.

### Key Organizations
The International Society of Criminology, established in 1937, serves as a major international organization for criminologists and related professionals. This society facilitates research, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among scholars worldwide.

### Notable Figures and Contributions
The field has been shaped by numerous influential individuals:

- **Cesare Lombroso** (1835-1909), an Italian psychiatrist and physician, is considered a pioneer in criminology, developing theories about criminal anthropology.
- **Edwin Sutherland** (1883-1950), an American criminologist, is known for strain theory and his contributions to modern criminological theory.
- **Marie-Andrée Bertrand** (French-Canadian), a feminist criminologist and anti-prohibitionist, brought gender perspectives to the field.
- **Juan Vucetich**, a Croatian-born Argentine police official, pioneered fingerprint classification systems that revolutionized criminal identification.
- **Albert K. Cohen**, an American criminologist, contributed to theories about delinquent subcultures.

### Theoretical Frameworks
Criminology encompasses various theoretical approaches that explain criminal behavior:

- **Classical school of criminology**: 18th-century work during the Enlightenment by utilitarian philosophers Jeremy Bentham and Cesare Beccaria.
- **Biosocial criminology**: Field that aims to explain crime and antisocial behavior by exploring both biological factors and environmental factors.
- **Critical criminology**: Perspective that examines how social structures and power relations contribute to crime.
- **Strain theory**: Sociological theory on the origins of criminal behavior, focusing on social and economic pressures.

### Related Fields and Subdisciplines
Criminology intersects with several related fields:

- **Victimology**: The study of victimization, examining how individuals experience and respond to crime.
- **Biosocial criminology**: Integrates biological and environmental factors in explaining criminal behavior.
- **Behavioral sciences**: Exploration of cognitive processes and behavioral interactions relevant to understanding crime.
- **Police science**: Study and research related to police work and criminal justice operations.

### Language and International Reach
Criminology has international recognition with designations in multiple languages including English, French, Italian, and Russian. The field has a global presence with scholars and practitioners from diverse countries and cultural backgrounds.</think>

## References

1. [Nuovo soggettario](https://thes.bncf.firenze.sbn.it/termine.php?id=10920)
2. Nuovo soggettario
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
5. UMLS 2023
6. Quora
7. ASC Leiden Thesaurus dataset of 5 June 2018
8. National Library of Israel
9. KBpedia
10. [Source](https://vocabs.ardc.edu.au/viewById/316)
11. [criminology · GitHub Topics · GitHub](https://github.com/topics/criminology)
12. [C73484699 | OpenAlex Web](https://explore.openalex.org/concepts/C73484699)
13. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)
14. [Reddit - Dive into anything](https://www.reddit.com/t/criminology/)