Criminology
is concerned with the causes of crime and comprises (a) criminal biology, which
investigates causes of criminality that may be found in the mental and physical
constitution of the delinquent himself, such as hereditary tendencies and
physical defects, (b) criminal sociology, which deals with enquiries into the
effect of an environment as a cause of criminality.
The
following important factors necessitate the study of criminology:-
- To know the actual amount spent in a
year for controlling the crime- The crime involves
investigation and prosecution in the court, the state machinery being involved
to a large extent. Thus, the offences against human body and property, offences
of social economic nature, offences concerning the environmental pollution and
water pollution, offences against the state, offences of tax evasion, offences
relating to the labour and factory problems all involve heavy burden on public
exchequer a combined survey of which can reveal the actual amount spent in a
year. This is one of the important factors necessitating the study of the crime
problem.
- To know the reasons which make a man
criminal- It is generally believed that the criminal is not
born but the circumstances and social surroundings make a man criminal. What
are the reasons which make man criminal? A child is innocent and adorable but
as he grows, he adopts different traits in his life and sometimes delinquency
and criminality become part of his life and during adult life also he behaves
in the same fashion. Criminology aims to study it.
- Knowledge of criminology is essential
for professionals and social workers-The knowledge of
criminology is also necessary for certain professionals and also for those who
want to provide social services. Thus for the Magistrates, the Police, the
Prision Officials, the Probation and Parole authorities, it is necessary to have
the adequate knowledge of crime and the criminal behavior for dealing with the criminals in a humane manner
so that the criminals may not only be punished but adequately reformed. It is
also generally accepted that the criminals are not beyond redemption. They can
be brought in the main stream of society. May criminals have great humane
instinct and can do great sacrifices for the cause of humanity.
- Knowledge of criminology is essential
for legislators- The study of criminology is important
for the knowledge for the causes which lead to the criminal behavior and also
for the proper punishment to the criminals. The punishment does not aim
retribution only so that the offender may meet out the behavior proportionate
to his acts. The aim of criminology is to study the criminal behavior and its
causes so that the criminal must be reformed or those things or circumstances
must be done away which shape his criminal character. The criminal law is
important because it aims to secure an orderly society. The study of
criminology is also important for the orderly society. If our legislators have the
background of criminology, they will enact the laws commensurate to the order,
peace and well-being of society.
- Knowledge of criminology is necessary
for police officers- If our police-officers are well trained
to deal with criminals, they may, as responsible officers, play vital role not
only in apprehending the criminals and bringing them to the book but also in
preventing the commission of the crimes with a rational approach.
- Knowledge of criminology is necessary
for magistrate, judges and students of law- A magistrate or
a Judge having a criminological background while awarding the sentences to the
offender may have the attitude of his reformation also in the greater interest
of the society. A prison official who has studied criminology may, during the
incarceration of a criminal, give him
such treatment as may change the whole philosophy of the prisoner and his
consequential behavioral impact on the society. Criminology if prescribed as a
subject in different courses in the schools and universities may give sound
background to the students to serve better the society in whatever walk of life
they are placed.
- Knowledge of criminology is necessary
to know the novel techniques of crime and punishment-
It is also necessary for us to have the knowledge of different legal systems as
to how the crimes and criminals are dealt with. The past practice and the
present trends must be studies comparatively so as to have the better
understanding of the modern approach in the context of our own socio-legal
system. The subject is of ever growing importance due to novel crimes and novel
techniques of the crimes and the punishment and the therapeutic treatment at the
correctional centres.
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