Career in Criminology, Scope, Demand, Types of Degrees and Future in Pakistan

Although Forensic science and criminology both approach issues of crime and criminal behavior from a scientific viewpoint, the two disciplines are quite different. Criminology and forensic science differ in scope and application. Forensic science applies the tools and methods of the natural sciences, especially biology and chemistry, to issues of a legal nature. They collect evidence at crime scenes and analyze the materials in laboratories. Forensic science is thus an applied natural science. Criminology, in contrast, is a specialized social science that evolved from sociology. Criminology uses sociological theories and methods to study criminal behavior and how societies respond to crime.

 

Criminology is the scientific study of social crimes, criminals and criminal behavior, crime regulations and crime prevention methodology. The field of study known as criminology involves the studying of crime as a phenomenon on an individual as well as at a social level. Approaching from a socio-scientific point of view, Criminology involves the study of various forms of crime, the reasons working behind an incidence of crime, and its consequences. In other words, it examines society's response to crime and prevention of crime. It is the scientific investigation of crime through analysis of evidence. Criminology includes the examination of evidence, hereditary and psychological causes of crime, various modes of investigation and conviction and the efficiencies of differing styles of punishment, rehabilitation and corrections. Criminology involves studying all these aspects associated with crime in general. Criminology is the study of factors of criminality. In other sense, it is evaluating the circumstances that provoked to do the crime and preventing/regulating future chances to do such crime. Criminology being an interdisciplinary subject, it derives its theory from the fields of sociology, psychology and law. Causes of crime and methods of preventing crime are the two most important aspects of the study of criminology. Other areas of interest in this field of study are - Crime Statistics, Criminal Behavior, Penology, Evaluation of criminal justice agencies, Sociology of Law, Criminal careers and desistance.

 

A person professionally qualified in the subject of criminology is called a criminologist. The primary task of criminologists is to determine the reasons why people get into committing illegal activities. With the increasing numbers of crime and rapid diversification in the nature of it, criminology is gaining importance in today's society. So if you are interested in the study of criminology or criminal justice, then you can become a criminologist. Criminologists often focus on specific types of crimes. Some work with murders, some with armed robbery, others with vandalism, some with rape, others with serial crimes of different sorts. They study as many cases as possible, and use the results to formulate theories which can in turn be useful in preventing crimes in the future. Professional may alternatively specialize in crime prevention, crime scene investigation, criminal litigation, corrections, rehabilitation, or the privatization of prisons.

 

The responsibilities and requirements differ drastically from one job to another. There are criminology administration jobs that require organization skills, as well as court reporter jobs that require excellent writing skills and knowledge of the justice system. Criminologists and investigators need certain specialized skills, such as keen observation and logical thinking skills. All jobs in the field of criminology require absolute trust in the legal system, as well as integrity in upholding truth and justice.