Course: Introduction to Criminology

It has been argued that the main features of positivist victimology are: The identification of factors which contribute to a non-random pattern of victimisation, a focus on interpersonal crimes of …

Traditionally, criminological theory was concerned with those who committed crime. Since the Second World War however, increased academic attention has been focused on those who are victims of this activity. …

Classicist criminology assumes that the certainty of detection and punishment would deter rational beings from committing crime. What punishment do you feel is appropriate for Pete? Do you consider Pete …

There is no simple answer to this question. There are a wide range of possible explanations for criminal behaviour and many of these theories will be examined within the course. …

Does drug use lead to crime or does crime lead to drug use? Generally, society is more inclined to the view that drug use leads to crime. It is the …

When we talk about drugs and drug use we often only think about ‘hard’ drugs and this raises a range of different opinions and possible stereotypes. However, a drug is …

Sociological theories of homicide are more focussed on the social roots that lead to offending rather than the idea that individuals are predisposed to it. Structural and cultural researchers look …

Other theories suggest that those who commit homicide are psychologically distinct from others. There are countless theories relating to the links between psychology and violence. Some key ones include: Psychoanalytic …

So what are some of the key approaches to understanding why people commit murder? Some theorist suggest that biology is responsible for people becoming perpetrators of murder, with a number …

Confrontational homicide: ‘Characterised as face-to-face spontaneous honour contests. Offender and victim become involved in a spontaneous dispute and engage together in a violent confrontation that leads to the death of …

The law considers the person who caused death to be blame–worthy. In other words, there is sufficient fault to justify criminal liability for manslaughter. A person is criminally liable for …

Manslaughter is a form of homicide. However, even though it involves death it is viewed as being less serious than murder. “Generally any unlawful homicide which is not classified as …

Watch This: UK police might have to enforce wider definition of hate crimes. This is an additional video, hosted on YouTube.

The offence of murder in much of the UK is found in what is known as the Common Law. The Common law system in England and Wales is based on …

Watch This: How anti-social behaviour affects you. This is an additional video, hosted on YouTube. Source: Avon and Somerset Police UK.