The increasing crime rate in any state is a big question mark for the performance of the executives and the whole development of the country. In order to prevent it, it is very important to understand the psychology of the criminal along with the causes of crimes.

Experts say that there are many socio-psychological factors behind the crimes. To understand these psychological, genetic and social factors, the role of criminology is important worldwide. Criminology has gained special importance in Pakistan during the last few years and now separate criminology departments are being established in universities.

What is Criminology?

Criminology is a branch of sociology that scientifically studies the nature, extent, causes, monitoring, consequences and prevention of criminal behavior at individual and social levels. The objectives of this department include the examination of evidence as well as the psychological and genetic causes of the crime, investigative procedures, punishment and its influencing factors, the effectiveness of release and correctional enforcement, etc.

Not only this, but society's response to crime prevention is also a topic of discussion. Today, while newspapers, radio and television are full of crime stories, other written materials are not devoid of crime stories.

A large number of students are attracted to careers in criminal justice and criminology. They understand that all studies related to crime and its prevention pave a wide range of career paths in criminology.

The Difference Between Criminology and Criminal Justice

Criminology and criminal justice are two sides of the same coin. Those who study criminology see crime as a social phenomenon and a social problem. Criminology students look at every aspect of crime and its impact on society, while criminal justice students focus on the system by which crime is tracked in society and how criminals are prosecuted and punished.

Career Opportunities

As a college student, you must first decide what you want to major in and what you want to do after you graduate. If you don't know what your profession can be after obtaining a bachelor's or master's degree in criminology, then some popular professions are mentioned below for criminology graduates.

1. Criminologist

The most important career in criminology is that of a criminologist. It is a type of sociologist or social scientist who chooses criminology as a major subject for a master's degree and studies criminal behavior in society.

A criminologist offers a theoretical explanation of criminals and their behavior in a population, as well as an analysis of criminal laws, crime patterns and violations of laws. A criminologist is seen in various roles, such as improving activities and functions in the police department, as a professor in the education sector (colleges and universities), as a consultant to the legislature, and playing a role in improving public policy.

2. Police Officer

After getting your criminology degree, do you think your job as a police officer is just to arrest people? You can do much more in this field. A police officer works closely with local communities to protect the public, prevent crime and maintain peace in the community. He or she conducts investigations as well as interviews with suspects; all of his functions are helpful in rooting out crime in society.

3. Detective

If you want to do something out of the ordinary in this field, you can get a job as a detective. A detective's job is to conduct criminal investigations in specific areas. He handles city-wide murder and robbery cases, cyber and drug squads, etc. Apart from this, it also carries out detective work for collecting evidence related to crimes and arresting the criminal.

4. Crime Officer

A crime officer's job is to collect forensic and photographic evidence for investigation at a crime scene. All in all, some of the work can be very sensitive, so this job may not be for everyone. If you have a degree in criminology, you can pursue further studies in this field.

5. Lecturer

Students with master's and PhD degrees in criminology can also get jobs as lecturers in colleges and universities. In the meantime, they can prepare a big chain to reduce criminal activities and establish law and order in the future by setting up crime-related strategies.