Common Misconceptions About Criminology

Criminology careers are a hot topic today, and according to most predictions, they will continue to grow for the foreseeable future.

But among all this increased interest, a few misconceptions about the field are being spread around which lead to confusion among the general public about this interesting field.

This article will help set you straight on a couple of these myths and let you know the truth.

Misconception #1: Criminology Means Training to Be a Cop

One common misunderstanding is that all criminologists do is train to be cops, FBI agents and other types of law enforcement officers.

While the criminal justice system is a big part of crime, it is not the main unit of focus for the field of criminology.

Criminology, on the other hand, is a social science. That basically means that it employs the scientific method to explore why people become criminals and why they commit crimes.

This type of research is much different from the formal processes of how criminals are caught, tried and punished, although the areas are very closely related.

Criminology research, in fact, has played a major role in helping to reform the criminal justice system incrementally over time. But to say that it is synonymous, or that those who study it are training to become cops or other workers on the front lines of criminal justice, is mistaken.

Misconception #2: Crime Scene Investigation Shows are Realistic and Depict Criminologists

Others who watch shows such as Criminal Minds and CSI sometimes think that every criminologist either profiles major criminals or analyzes physical evidence at a crime scene.

In reality, this type of job on the front lines of criminal investigation is extremely rare. In fact, the FBI does not actually have any jobs with the title of “Profiler.”

This task is performed by the Supervisory Special Agents at National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) in Quantico, Virginia, but it isn’t utilized on the front lines in quite the same ways as you’d expect from watching the popular TV shows.

These positions are still extremely competitive and require significant experience as a Special Agent. To be a CSI, you typically need a degree in Forensic Science, which is usually separate from criminology and will often require a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Biology.

In contrast, many real-life criminologists work in roles more removed from the actual investigation of crimes. Some work as counselors or social workers for troubled youth or recently released prisoners.

Others conduct important policy research for the government or special think-tank organizations, a much different every day task than hunting down serial killers alongside local police officers!

So while not every criminologist will be responsible for arresting the bad guy, they do all play a vital role in dealing with crime in our society.

We hope these misconceptions help clear up what criminologists actually do versus what you may have come to believe from TV or other sources. Based on what we’ve explained in this article, what other criminology misconceptions have you heard?

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Comments

  1. Willy says

    Your observation for as long as criminology is true. That is what happens in the Philippines where majority of the graduates in the field go to the law enforcement service leaving the real purpose of their careers in studying causes of crime and finding out solution for it. In fact in the law creating a board of criminology most of the job opportunity for criminologist is in law enforcement and allied services. In our country, we don’t have criminal analyst, criminal statistician, criminal scientist and the like so that crime problems in the Philippines can be threshed-out. We still have to appreciate the real purpose of this discipline so that MAINSTREAM CRIMINOLOGY may exist both in heart and in mind our criminologist.
    thanks..

  2. AJ says

    Thanks for the comment Willy. That’s interesting about the situation in the Philippines. You’re welcome for the post.