Basic Concepts in Criminology is an introduction to criminology. It is intended to serve as resource material for prospective students of criminology and particularly for law enforcement officers in training and in the field. Criminology as a social science discipline is structured from a combination of concepts of sociology, psychology, and law--all relevant subjects to the law enforcement profession. Remarkably, criminology is not very popular as a stand-alone subject among disciplines of choice for undergraduate students or even for those going in for graduate studies. Instead, what we notice in most universities' curricula are related disciplines, like criminal justice, criminal investigation, crime scene investigation, forensic, law enforcement, and so forth. Material contained in this book will be particularly useful to law enforcement officers; the Police, Corrections, and Security officers. In this book, I have attempted to approach and make this subject much easier and interesting to prospective students of Criminology in general and to law enforcement officers in particular, to whom knowledge of this subject is an important professional asset. I hope it will stir and arouse their interest and that of prospective students of Criminology in general.

"A crucial text for whetting the academic appetite of those studying criminology at university. The comprehensive engagement with key crime and deviance debates and issues make this a perfect springboard for launching into the complex, diverse and exciting realm of researching criminology." - Dr Ruth Penfold-Mounce, University of York "Essential reading for those new to the discipline and an invaluable reference point for those well versed in criminology and the sociology of crime and deviance." - Dr Mark Monaghan, University of Leeds Key Concepts in Crime and Society offers an authoritative introduction to key issues in the area of crime as it connects to society. By providing critical insight into the key issues within each concept as well as highlighted cross-references to other key concepts, students will be helped to grasp a clear understanding of each of the topics covered and how they relate to broader areas of crime and criminality. The book is divided into three parts: Understanding Crime and Criminality: introduces topics such as the social construction of crime and deviance, social control, the fear of crime, poverty and exclusion, white collar crime, victims of crime, race/gender and crime. Types of Crime and Criminality: explores examples including human trafficking, sex work, drug crime, environmental crime, cyber crime, war crime, terrorism, and interpersonal violence. Responses to Crime: looks at areas such as crime and the media, policing, moral panics, deterrence, prisons and rehabilitation. The book provides an up-to-date, critical understanding on a wide range of crime related topics covering the major concepts students are likely to encounter within the fields of sociology, criminology and across the social sciences.

A comparative and collaborative study of the foundational principles and concepts that underpin different domestic systems of criminal law.

In the United States today criminal justice can vary from state to state, as various states alter the Modern Penal Code to suit their own local preferences and concerns. In Eastern Europe, the post-Communist countries are quickly adopting new criminal codes to reflect their specific national concerns as they gain autonomy from what was once a centralized Soviet policy. As commonalities among countries and states disintegrate, how are we to view the basic concepts of criminal law as a whole? Eminent legal scholar George Fletcher acknowledges that criminal law is becoming increasingly localized, with every country and state adopting their own conception of punishable behavior, determining their own definitions of offenses. Yet by taking a step back from the details and linguistic variations of the criminal codes, Fletcher is able to perceive an underlying unity among diverse systems of criminal justice. Challenging common assumptions, he discovers a unity that emerges not on the surface of statutory rules and case law but in the underlying debates that inform them. Basic Concepts of Criminal Law identifies a set of twelve distinctions that shape and guide the controversies that inevitably break out in every system of criminal justice. Devoting a chapter to each of these twelve concepts, Fletcher maps out what he considers to be the deep structure of all systems of criminal law. Understanding these distinctions will not only enable students to appreciate the universal fundamental ideas of criminal law, but will enable them to understand the significance of local details and variations. This accessible illustration of the unity of diverse systems of criminal justice will provoke and inform students and scholars of law and the philosophy of law, as well as lawyers seeking a better understanding of the law they practice.

Basic Concepts in Criminology is an introduction to criminology. It is intended to serve as resource material for prospective students of criminology and particularly for law enforcement officers in training and in the field. Criminology as a social science discipline is structured from a combination of concepts of sociology, psychology, and lawall relevant subjects to the law enforcement profession. Remarkably, criminology is not very popular as a stand-alone subject among disciplines of choice for undergraduate students or even for those going in for graduate studies. Instead, what we notice in most universities curricula are related disciplines, like criminal justice, criminal investigation, crime scene investigation, forensic, law enforcement, and so forth. Material contained in this book will be particularly useful to law enforcement officers; the Police, Corrections, and Security officers. In this book, I have attempted to approach and make this subject much easier and interesting to prospective students of Criminology in general and to law enforcement officers in particular, to whom knowledge of this subject is an important professional asset. I hope it will stir and arouse their interest and that of prospective students of Criminology in general.

Crime is a source of endless fascination and fear. Yet behind the apparent consensus that crime must be fought, there is considerable conflict about what should or should not be treated as criminal, and even the most shocking crimes can inspire divisive debate. This concise book explores the seemingly simple, common-sense concept of crime revealing the huge complexities, ambiguities and tensions that lie beneath it. Criminal law is often at odds with different moral perspectives and the practices of different cultures. The mass media distort the picture profoundly, as do politicians in pursuit of law and order votes. The criminal justice system tackles only a limited range of crimes – almost entirely ones committed by the poor and relatively powerless – while often neglecting the most dangerous and harmful activities of corporations and states, from the carnage of unjust wars to the tragedies engendered by austerity. It is only by examining the multiple and varied perspectives on crime that we can begin to understand and respond appropriately to this social phenomenon. Written by a world-leading criminologist, this insightful book will be an invaluable and captivating introduction for students and interested readers of criminology, law, sociology and politics.