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Description

Criminology is a multidisciplinary science that is based on knowledge of sociology, psychology and social anthropology, taking criminal law as a reference point.
In this regard, criminologists study the causes of crime and antisocial behaviour. Criminological research includes the types, causes and consequences of crime.

When analysing a case, criminologists must take into consideration four methods to understand the circumstances that lead a person to commit a crime: understanding the offender, conducting a medical examination and psychological study of the victim, and analysing the environment in which the person who committed the crime operates.
Criminologists are professionals who study crime, its prevention and treatment through criminology. To do this, they must have expertise in criminal investigation techniques and dealing with victims as well as criminal and constitutional law. They usually work in prisons or with the police.

Tasks

Criminologists may work in the areas of penal systems, prison security, victim assistance, the courts, private security and investigation and criminal policy. So depending in which area they are working they may need more expertise in one or another specific discipline. However, criminology professionals generally perform the following duties:
  • Study offenders from biological, sociological, psychological, individual and social conflict perspectives.
  • Define the public's risk and factors which may protect them from violence and crime.
  • Establish models for crime prevention, the modification of criminal environments and acting against factors which favour crime.
  • Study the effects of crime on victims and design assistance and compensation services to remedy damage and harm caused by crime.
  • Assess different types of sanctions in regards to the crime committed.
  • Gather data about crimes and analyse them to obtain profiles of actions committed by criminals.
  • Design and implement social policies, programmes and anti-crime strategies to dissuade potential offenders, prevent their incarceration and foster social reintegration.
  • Apply qualitative, experimental and predictive research methods to solve crimes or set parameters of behaviour that lead to their resolution.
  • Prepare documentation on resolved and unresolved cases, as well as behavioural patterns of criminals and/or victims.
  • Interpret quantitative and qualitative data on scientific facts and texts associated with crimes.

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Centre per al desenvolupament professional Porta22

Barcelona Treball (Porta22)
Llacuna, 156-162, 08018 Barcelona
bcn.cat/treball

900533175
Monday to Friday from 9 to 18 h

Generalitat de Catalunya
Unió Europea FEDER
Unió Europea FSE