Criminology: the science that studies crimes and misdemeanors

What is criminology and what is the role of a criminologist?

With the increasing popularity of drama series that involve solving crimes, chasing criminals or trying to get inside the minds of criminals to get them one step ahead, we think we are familiar with the term criminologyWe believe we are familiar with the term criminology, ascribing it to a science whose sole purpose is to solve the crime perpetrated.

And while criminal investigation is one of its functions, it should be noted that criminology is not limited exclusively to this field, but has a Wide range of possibilities to be used and applied for the benefit of society..

What is criminology?

It was Rafaelle Garofalo, an Italian jurist, who first coined the term criminologywhose etymological meaning derives from Latin criminis (crime/offense) and from the Greek logos (treatise or study), so its purest definition is "study of crime". But to attribute this definition to criminological work would be too vague.

Criminology is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary science whose purpose is the study, analysis, intervention, prevention and prophylaxis of crime, criminals and criminality.. Therefore, the object of study of criminology would be antisocial behavior, those behaviors that deviate from what is normally accepted by society and that even attempt against the integrity of this, based on the premise that man is a biopsychosocial being and, therefore, crime as human behavior should be explained as a phenomenon that encompasses biological, psychological and sociological aspects.

Applications and functions of criminology

While it is true that criminology can be applied to criminal investigation processes and assistance to the justice system, such as the preparation of expert reports, collection, packaging and study of evidence, the issuance of reports, criminal profiling, social readaptation, prison treatment, among others, it is important to clarify that these tasks correspond only to the work of the criminologist in the public sphere, It is important to clarify that these tasks correspond only to the work of the criminologist in the public sphere.

On the other hand, since crime is a social, global and complex phenomenon, the private sector also demands the work of criminologists. the private sector also demands its work. Companies such as banks and insurance companies require criminology experts to investigate suspicious bank movements to identify if any suspicious transactions are being obtained or used for illicit purposes such as terrorist financing or money laundering; they also require criminologists to analyze the risks to which an insured asset is exposed, investigate a claim that is insured, verify and analyze documents and signatures and even when recruiting personnel.

Demand and field of work of the criminologist

In this day and age in which, unfortunately, crime seems to be on the rise, the demand for criminologists has been increasing, especially in countries where organized crime is on the rise.especially in countries where organized crime has gained ground such as Mexico, Colombia, Chile, etc.

Private companies are also requesting experts in criminology for the prevention of crimes or accidents that put at risk both their assets and their customers. The work that the 21st century criminologist can perform is extensive and, as has become clear, not only dedicated to forensic investigation.

Prosecutor's offices and departments of justice, investigation agencies, social reintegration centers, public ministries, banks, insurance companies, law firms, securities transfer companies, or private consulting, etc. are some examples where the work opportunity is presented for the criminologist.