CRIM.
I: Introduction to Criminology
CRIMINOLOGY
According to Edwin H. Sutherland, "criminology is the entire body of knowledge regarding crime as a social
phenomenon. It includes within its scope the process of making of laws, of breaking of laws, and the society's
reaction towards the breaking of laws. "
A body of knowledge regarding crimes, criminals and the efforts of society to prevent and repress them.
The scientific study of the causes of crime in relation to man and society who sets and define rules and
regulations for himself and others to govern.
Other Definitions
Criminology explores the etiology (origin), extent, and nature of crime in society. Lt is concerned with
identifying the nature, extent, and cause of crime.
Criminology is an interdisciplinary science that gathers and analyzes data on various aspects of criminal,
delinquent, and general anti-social behavior.
It also refers to the scientific study of crimes, criminals, and victims. It also deals with the prevention, and
solution of crimes. (R.A. 11131)
SOCIOLOGICAL CRIMINOLOGY
the study of crime focused on the group of people and society as a whole. It is primarily based on the
examination of the relationship of demographic and group variables to crime. Variables such as socio-economic
status, interpersonal relationships, age, race, gender, and cultural groups of people are probed in relation to the
environmental factors that are most conducive to criminal action, such as time, place, and circumstances
surrounding
R.A. 6506
"An Act Creating the Board of Examiners for Criminologists in the Philippines and for other purposes".
R.A. 11131
"An Act Regulating the Practice of Criminology Profession in the Philippines, and Appropriating Funds
therefor, repealing for the purpose R.A. 6506 otherwise known as "An Act Creating the Board of Examiners for
Criminologists in the Philippines'.
Also known as "The Philippine Criminology Profession Act of 2018"
R.A. 10912
"An Act Mandating and Strengthening the Continuing Professional Development Program for All Regulated
Professions, Creating Continuing Professional Development Council, and Appropriating Funds Therefor, and
for Other Related Purposes" Also known as "Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016".
Professional Criminologist Association Of the Philippines (PCAP)
The legitimate organization of Criminologists recognized by the Professional Regulation Commission.
Philippine Educators Association for Criminology Education (PEACE)
Created on January 13-25, 1983; primarily its role is to professionalize criminology education in the context of
national development.
Registered Criminologist
any person who is a graduate of the Degree of Criminology, who has passed the examination for criminologists
and is registered as such by the Board of Examiners of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). (R.A.
6506)
Refers to a natural person who holds a valid certificate of registration and an updated professional identification
card as criminologist issued by the Board and the Commission pursuant to R.A. 11131.
Origin of the word "Criminology"
Etymologically, the term criminology came from the Latin word "crimen" meaning crime and Greek word
"Logos" which means "to study".
In 1885, Rafael Garofalo, an Italian Law Professor coined the term "criminologia".
In 1889, Paul Topinard, French Anthropologist, used the term criminology in French "criminology" for the first
time.
Sociology
It is the mother discipline of Criminology. It is the study of human society, its origin, structure, functions and
direction.
Principal Divisions of Criminology
1. Etiology of Crimes/ Criminal Etiology
the scientific analysis of the causes of crimes and the criminal behavior.
An attempt at scientific analysis of the cause of crime.
2. Sociology of Law
refers to the investigation of the nature of criminal law and its administration.
An attempt at scientific analysis of the condition under which criminal laws has developed as a process
of formal or social control.
3. Penology
the study of the control of crimes and the rehabilitation of offender
It is a division of criminology which deals with punishment of crime and jail management.
Concerned with crime control by repressing criminal activities through fear of punishment.
IS CRIMINOLOGY A SCIENCE?
According to George Wilker, criminology cannot become a science because it has not yet acquired universal
validity. Edwin H. Sutherland, the "Dean of Modern Criminology", hoped that it will become a science in the future
since the causes of crimes are almost the same which may be biological, environmental or combination of the two.
GEORGE L WILKER
A criminologist who in his manuscript "The Scientific Adequacy of Criminological Concept" argued that
criminology cannot possibly become a science. Accordingly, general proposition of universal validity is the
essence of science.
WHO IS EDWIN SUTHERLAND?
Author of the "Differential Association Theory Note: DAT proposed that criminal behavior is a product of
learning process through socialization with other people that possess criminal behavior.
Coined the phrase "White Collar Crime" Note: WCC — these are crimes which are committed by people
belonging to higher social or economic status. Sometimes called as economic crime, financial crime or crime of the
upper-world. Comprehensively defined "Criminology"
Considered as the Dean of Modern Criminology
Father or Pioneer of American Criminology
Edwin Sutherland is dear on explaining that criminology focuses on studying crime as something or an event that could
be considered as a social phenomenon or something that can happen in a repetitive manner. Sutherland also pointed that
criminology not only deals with understanding the nature of criminal laws that exists in our society but also with
understanding the reasons why people despite of existing laws still break and violate laws. Finally, Sutherland suggested
in his definition of criminology that this study must also give attention to the proper punishment or penalty to prevent
and repress crime and criminal behavior.
NATURE OF CRIMINOLOGY
1, It is an applied science because criminology as a body of knowledge has already established universally
accepted principles and concepts used by other fields of study. It is the use of science the practice of criminology,
The process is called "Instrumentation".
2. It is a social science because it studies crime as a social phenomenon, Crime is a social problem which has a
great impact to society. Crime is a social creation and it exists in a society being a social phenomenon.
3. It is dynamic because the concepts of criminology and its applications adapt to the changing time. Criminology
changes as a social condition change. It is concomitant with the advancement of other sciences that have been
applied to it,
4. It is nationalistic because the study of criminology takes into consideration the history, culture and social norms
and the laws of the country. Each country has its own sets of laws and crimes are defined by the laws of the
country. The study of crimes must be in relation with the existing criminal law within a territory or country. The
question as to whether an act is a crime is dependent on the criminal law of a state.
SCOPE IN THE STUDY OF CRIMINOLOGY
Study of the origin and development of criminal law
2. Study of the causes of crimes and development of criminals
3. Study of other sciences that examine criminal behavior using scientific methods such as:
Criminal Demography
the study of the relationship between criminality and population.
Note: RAWSON W. RAWSON - utilized crime statistics to suggest a link between population density and crime rates
with crowded cities creating an environment conducive for crime.
Criminal Epidemiology
the study of the relationship between environment (milieu) and criminality.
Note: HENRY MAYHEW - used empirical methods and an ethnographic method to address social questions and
poverty.
Criminal Ecology
the study of criminality in relation to the spatial distribution in a
Criminal Physical Anthropology
the study of criminality in relation to physical constitution of men.
Criminal Psychology
the study of human behavior in relation to criminality.
Criminal Psychiatry
the study of human mind in relation to criminality.
Criminal Politics
An integrated approach to the study of organized crime, politics, and violence. It is also a science consisting of
principles with which the State organizes its fight against criminality. The bases are knowledge criminal law,
criminality, penalties and other measures of social defense.
A science consisting of principles with which the Government organizes its fight against criminality. The bases
are knowledge of criminal law, of criminality, penalties and other measures of social defense.
Victimology — the study of the role of the victim in the commission of a crime.
VICTIMOLOGY defined
Victimology (victima — "fear") is the study about victims of crime. It is a branch of criminology that deals
purely on the underlying factors of victimization and the contributory role of the victims in the commission of crimes.
Victimology, being the study of "crime targets", showed that a person becomes a victim of crime consciously
(knowingly) and unconsciously (unknowingly). A person could become a victim due to his own action or fault. He
somehow contributes to the commission of crime because of his own making.
Criminal victims could be key actors in the criminal justice process, but more often
they are kept at the discussion. The victim of crime often becomes the FORGOTTEN PERSON of the criminal justice
system while the criminal is the celebrity. Victims are only valued for their capacity to report crimes and to appear in
court as witnesses.
TYPOLOGY OF CRIMINAL VICTIMS
General Classes of Victims
(Based on the classification of Hans Von Hentig, a European lawyer)
1. The Young — the weak by virtue of age and immaturity
2. The Female — often less physically powerful and easily dominated by males.
3. The Old - the incapable of physical defense and the common object of confidence scheme.
4. The Mentally Defective — those that are unable to think clearly.
5. The Immigrant - those that are unsure of the rules of conduct in the surrounding society.
6. The Minorities - racial prejudice may lead to victimization or unequal treatment by the agency of justice.
Psychological Types of Victims
1. The Depressed —submissive person by virtue of emotional condition
2. The Acquisitive or Greedy — person who wants more than what is sufficient makes a natural victim of crime
3. The Wanton or Overly Sensual — person ruled by passion and thoughtlessly seeking pleasure
4. The Lonesome — person who eventually becomes a victim by virtue of wanting companionship or affection
5. The Heartbroken - one who is emotionally disturbed by virtue of heartaches and pains
6. The Tormented — a victim who asked for it, often from his own family or friends
BENJAMIN MENDELSOHN
often refer to as the 'FATHER OF VICTIMOLOGY. His major contributions were arguably the term 'general
victimology' and a typology of crime victims
Benjamin Mendelsohn is generally credited as the initiator of the word VICTIMOLOGY as well as the concept of
PENAL COUPLE. Penal Couple is a term that describes the relationship between the victim and the criminal. He also
coined the term VICTIMAL to describe the victim counterpart of the criminal and the word VICTIMITY which signifies
the opposite of criminality.
Another class of victim is the 'LOSER' or one who is initially the attacker but later, the situation is reversed. An
example could be the case of a mugger or a bully who ends up injured or a swindler becomes swindled.
DYNAMICS OF VICTIMIZATION
There are a number of procedural models which can be applied to the study of the victimization process for the
purpose of understanding the experience of the victims.
1. "Victims of Crime Model" (by Bard and Sangrey)
According to this model, there are three stages involved in any victimization:
a. Stage of Impact & Disorganization — stage during and immediately following the criminal event
b. Stage of Recoil — stage during which the victim formulates psychological defenses and deals with
conflicting emotions of guilt, anger, acceptance, and desire of revenge (said to last three to eight months)
C. Reorganization Stage — stage during which the victim puts his or her life back to normal daily living.
Some victims, however may not successfully adopt the victimization experience and a maladaptive reorganization stage
may last for many years.
2. "Disaster Victim's Model" — this model was developed to explain the coping behavior of victims of
natural disaster, According to this model, there are four stages of victimization:
a. Pre-impact - stage describe the victim condition prior to being victimized.
b. Impact - the stage at which victimization occur.
c. Post-impact - stage which entails the degree and duration of personal and social disorganization following
victimization.
d. Behavioral outcome — stage that describes the victim's adjustment to the victimization experience
FACTORS OF VICTIMIZATION
1. Hedonism
2. Materialistic Culture
3. Sex Values
4. Decay of Discipline
5. Public Morality Victimology & Damage
VICTIMOLOGY & DAMAGES
if there is a complainant, there must defendant,” Thus, there could never be a victim if there is no
offender, except in what is known as victimless crimes.
The only that does away with criminality is decriminalization. This is otherwise known as LOGOMACY
Logomacy is a statement that we have no crime if we had no criminal law, and that we could eliminate all crime by
abolishing all criminal laws. Man has a juridical capacity and capacity to act. He is normally entitled to the
following civil damages.
