Textbook of Criminology

Description

The textbook on criminology is a comprehensive treatise on various aspects of criminology. Starting with an introduction to criminology as a scientific study of crime and criminal behavior, the book presents in detail the criminal justice system, both adults and juvenile as is obtained around the world and in India. Theories of criminology are covered in 3 chapters covering biological, sociological, and psychological explanations of crime and criminal behavior. Causative factors contributing to criminality are discussed in detail. The methods of considering an act as a crime through the processes of labeling, ethnography, and ethnomethodology, are presented with great clarity, followed by mental disorders as an explanation to criminality and the various legal aspects like McNaughton rule, etc are explained. The importance of accurate crime data, the various techniques to collect the correct information on crime in a country, the need for using the latest technology to collect data on crime as well as to predict and forecast crime in future as well as to prevent crime from occurring, have been presented in detail and also with special reference to India. Crime, crime rate, trends in crime, and global crime including terrorism, their causes, and dealing with them have been presented. Two chapters cover punishment and sanctions in regard to crimes committed covering global and India specifically. All chapters present the latest research in the concerned areas to substantiate the presented details. Summary of each chapter, questions for revision, and references of all the cited materials are at the end of each chapter.

The unique aspect of this textbook is that the topics covered are in line with the university curriculum, and presented in a simple manner. It covers the latest literature, research done in the different areas, both in other countries and in India. It would be of value to teachers and students of criminology and related areas. Researchers may take on from the cited references to extend their own research or take up newer projects to understand more of the phenomenon of crime and criminal behavior.