Criminologist

Criminologists study conditions pertaining to humans such as the social and psychological aspects that could lead them to commit criminal acts. They observe and analyse different factors ranging from behavioural conditions up to social background and environment of suspects in order to advise organisations on the prevention of crime.

The following job titles also refer to criminologist:

criminology scientist
criminology science researcher
criminology studies research scientist
criminology studies researcher
criminology studies scientist
criminologists
criminology studies scholar
criminology scholar
criminology researcher
criminology research scientist

High school diploma is generally required to work as criminologist. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Criminologist is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to criminologist.

behavioural scientist
demographer
sociologist
polygraph examiner
probation officer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of criminologist. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of criminologist with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of criminologist.

Criminology: The study of criminal behaviour, such as its causes and nature, its consequences, and control and prevention methods.
Mathematics: Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.
Statistics: The study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments in order to forecast and plan work-related activities.
Criminal law: Th legal rules, constitutions and regulations applicable for the punishement of offenders.
Sociology: The group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Psychology: The human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.
Anthropology: The study of development and behaviour of human beings.
Scientific research methodology: The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.

These skills are necessary for the role of criminologist.

Use data processing techniques: Gather, process and analyse relevant data and information, properly store and update data and represent figures and data using charts and statistical diagrams.
Analyse legal evidence: Analyse evidence, such as evidence in criminal cases, legal documentation regarding a case, or other documentation that can be regarded as evidence, in order to obtain a clear image of the case and reach resolutions.
Apply statistical analysis techniques: Use models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.
Perform scientific research: Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
Review criminal acts: Analyse acts committed by individuals that are considered illegal in order to uncover a pattern of action, motive, and demographics.
Apply scientific methods: Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
Apply knowledge of human behaviour: Practice principles related to group behaviour, trends in society, and influence of societal dynamics.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of criminologist. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Legal research: The methods and procedures of research in legal matters, such as the regulations, and different approaches to analyses and source gathering, and the knowledge on how to adapt the research methodology to a specific case to obtain the required information.
Demography: The scientific field of study that deals with studying the size, structure, and distribution of the human population, and its geographical and temporal changes.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of criminologist. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Write research proposals: Synthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the relevant subject and field of study.
Create criminal profiles: Determine the psychological and social reasons people commit crimes in order to create typical criminal profile types that can be used by law enforcers in the future to solve crimes and find perpetrators.
Manage database: Apply database design schemes and models, define data dependencies, use query languages and database management systems (DBMS) to develop and manage databases.
Present evidence: Present evidence in a criminal or civil case to others, in a convincing and appropriate manner, in order to reach the right or most beneficial solution.
Develop criminology theories: Develop theories to explain why people behave as they do in specific situations and why they commit crimes, based on empirical observations and existing scientific literature in the field of criminology.
Apply teaching strategies: Employ various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating arguments when necessary. Use a wide range of teaching devices and methodologies appropriate to the class content, the learners’ level, goals, and priorities.
Interview people: Interview people in a range of different circumstances.
Examine crime scenes: Examine crime scenes upon arrival to ensure they are not tampered with, and to perform the initial assessments and analyses of what may have occurred, as well as examining the nature of the evidence present.
Assist police investigations: Assist in police investigations by providing them with specialised information as a professional involved in the case, or by providing witness accounts, in order to ensure the police have all relevant information for the case.
Observe human behaviour: Make detailed notes while observing how humans interact with and react to each other, objects, concepts, ideas, beliefs, and systems in order to uncover patterns and trends.
Document evidence: Document all evidence found on a crime scene, during an investigation, or when presented in a hearing, in a manner compliant with regulations, to ensure that no piece of evidence is left out of the case and that records are maintained.
Advise on legal decisions: Advise judges, or other officials in legal decision-making positions, on which decision would be right, compliant with the law and with moral considerations, or most advantageous for the adviser’s client, in a specific case.
Develop security concepts: Develop prevention, security, and surveillance practices and concepts to fight against fraud and to enhance public security, crime prevention, and investigation.
Write scientific papers: Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
Document interviews: Record, write, and capture answers and information collected during interviews for processing and analysis using shorthand or technical equipment.
Monitor security measures: Oversee and control the implementation of prevention, security, and surveillance measures in order to assess their effectiveness and to make adjustments in case of unsatisfactory results.

2632 – Sociologists, anthropologists and related professionals

 

 

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References

1. Criminologist – ESCO