Criminology is an inter-disciplinary science. Explain with reference to its nature, scope, and relationship with other disciplines.”
✅ QUESTION 1 (DETAILED ANALYSIS)
“Criminology is an inter-disciplinary science. Explain with reference to its nature, scope, and relationship with other disciplines.”
1. INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS CRIMINOLOGY?
Criminology is the systematic and scientific study of:
- crime
- criminals
- causes of crime
- victim behaviour
- social reaction to crime
- functioning of police, courts, and prisons
- crime prevention and reform
Criminology answers three central questions:
- Why do people commit crimes?
- How does society create and respond to crime?
- How can crime be prevented?
Because crime involves human behaviour, social structure, law, psychology, biology, and economics, criminology cannot rely on any one subject.
It must borrow knowledge from many disciplines.
Therefore, it is called an inter-disciplinary science.
2. WHY CRIMINOLOGY IS INTER-DISCIPLINARY? (THE CORE IDEA)
Crime is a complex social problem, not a simple legal violation.
For example:
- A thief may steal due to poverty → Sociology + Economics
- A murderer may have mental illness → Psychology + Psychiatry
- A student may commit cybercrime → Technology + Forensics
- A company commits fraud → Corporate Law + Economics
- A tribal community commits ritual killings → Anthropology + Culture
Thus, criminology needs knowledge from multiple sciences to fully understand crime.
3. NATURE OF CRIMINOLOGY (DETAILED)
A. Scientific Nature
Criminology uses:
- data
- surveys
- field studies
- case studies
- statistical analysis
- experimental methods
It seeks objective truth, not assumptions.
B. Social Science Nature
Crime is a social behaviour, influenced by:
- family structure
- social norms
- community
- peer groups
- poverty
- illiteracy
- unemployment
Thus, criminology functions as a branch of sociology.
C. Normative Nature
Criminology studies:
- what is right or wrong
- how morality shapes law
- how society’s values define crime
Example: Homosexuality once criminal, now not → morality changes.
D. Applied Nature
Criminology gives practical solutions for:
- policing
- investigation
- crime prevention
- rehabilitation
- prison reforms
- juvenile justice
E. Dynamic Nature
Crime evolves with society:
- cybercrime
- deepfake fraud
- financial crime
- terrorism
- online harassment
Thus criminology must keep updating.
F. Human Behaviour Nature
It studies:
- motives
- emotions
- anger
- frustration
- mental illness
- personality
Hence it overlaps with psychology.
4. SCOPE OF CRIMINOLOGY (HIGHLY EXPANDED)
The scope covers every part of crime, from its origin to its control.
A. Study of Crime
Includes:
- classification of crimes
- violent crimes
- cybercrimes
- financial crimes
- sexual offences
- juvenile crimes
- organised crime
- terrorism
Understanding how crimes emerge is central to criminology.
B. Study of Criminal Behaviour
Why do people commit crimes?
Criminology studies:
- psychology
- personality disorders
- upbringing
- trauma
- addiction
- social stress
- peer influence
- economic pressure
Example:
Merton’s Strain Theory explains crime happens when people use illegal means to achieve social goals.
C. Study of Victims (Victimology)
Victimology analyses:
- why victims are chosen
- vulnerability of victims
- trauma and suffering
- victim compensation
- victim protection during trial
Example:
Nirbhaya case increased focus on victim rights.
D. Study of Criminal Law
Criminology examines:
- how crimes are defined
- how punishments are decided
- how laws change with morality
- how courts interpret laws
Example:
- Section 377 (Navtej Johar case)
- Adultery (Joseph Shine case)
E. Study of Criminal Justice System
Includes:
Police
- investigation
- interrogation
- evidence collection
Courts
- trial procedure
- sentencing
- plea bargaining
Prisons
- discipline
- rehabilitation
- parole & probation
F. Study of Crime Prevention
Criminology develops methods such as:
- neighbourhood policing
- CCTV surveillance
- cyber security
- education and awareness
- social welfare programmes
- youth counselling
- employment schemes
G. Study of New and Emerging Crimes
Criminology now covers:
- cryptocurrency fraud
- identity theft
- ATM fraud
- environmental crime
- human trafficking
- medical/organ trafficking
- AI-based crime (deepfake)
Thus, scope is continuously expanding.
5. RELATIONSHIP OF CRIMINOLOGY WITH OTHER DISCIPLINES (DETAILED)
This is the most important part. Each discipline contributes something essential.
A. Relationship with Sociology
Sociology studies:
- social structure
- culture
- norms
- groups
- social change
Criminology uses sociology to understand:
- poverty
- unemployment
- urbanisation
- caste inequality
- family problems
- peer influence
Most theories like:
- Social Disorganization Theory
- Strain Theory
- Subculture Theory
- Labeling Theory
are sociological in nature.
B. Relationship with Psychology
Psychology studies:
- mental processes
- personality
- emotions
- behaviour
- trauma
Criminology uses psychology for:
- understanding aggression
- mental illness & criminal responsibility
- serial killers
- juvenile delinquency
- domestic violence offenders
Example:
Some criminals have Anti-Social Personality Disorder (ASPD).
C. Relationship with Law
Law defines crime.
Without law → no crime.
Criminology studies:
- how law is made
- why laws differ across societies
- how courts punish criminals
- how laws affect behaviour
- legal reforms
Case law connection:
- Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India – due process
- Navtej Johar – changing nature of crime
- Nirbhaya case – expansion of sexual offences
D. Relationship with Economics
Economics studies:
- wealth
- poverty
- inequality
- unemployment
Criminology uses economics to analyse:
- white-collar crime
- financial fraud
- corruption
- tax evasion
- black money operations
Example:
Ponzi schemes or bank frauds require economic analysis.
E. Relationship with Anthropology
Anthropology studies:
- culture
- tribes
- customs
Criminology uses anthropology to understand:
- honour killing
- witch-hunting
- dowry deaths
- ritualistic crimes
- tribal justice systems
Example:
In some tribes, collective punishment is normal → important for study.
F. Relationship with Political Science
Crime and politics are linked.
Political science studies:
- state power
- government policies
- public administration
Criminology studies:
- misuse of criminal law
- sedition laws
- anti-terror laws
- political corruption
- law enforcement biases
Example:
Sedition often used politically → criminology studies this.
G. Relationship with Medicine & Forensic Science
Medicine helps understand:
- injury
- cause of death
- sexual assault injuries
- mental illness
Forensic science contributes:
- DNA
- fingerprints
- blood analysis
- ballistics
- toxicology
- cyber forensics
Criminology uses these for accurate investigation.
H. Relationship with Statistics
Statistics help:
- calculate crime rate
- identify patterns
- prepare NCRB reports
- analyse effectiveness of policing
Criminology uses statistics to create evidence-based policies.
6. WHY CRIMINOLOGY MUST BE INTER-DISCIPLINARY (ESSENCE FOR EXAM)
Crime cannot be explained by one subject alone.
Example:
- A rape case requires → psychology + law + forensic science
- A cybercrime case requires → IT + police + sociology
- A fraud crime requires → economics + law
- Juvenile crime requires → psychology + social work + educational policies
Thus, criminology needs multi-dimensional study.
7. CONCLUSION (EXAM-READY)
Criminology is truly an inter-disciplinary science because it draws from sociology, psychology, law, economics, anthropology, political science, medicine, and forensic science. Its nature is scientific, social, dynamic, applied, and behaviour-based. Its scope is vast: crime, criminals, victims, law, policing, courts, prisons, and crime prevention.
Therefore, criminology offers a holistic understanding of crime and helps in creating a fair, effective, and humane criminal justice system.
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