Theories of Crime Causation Unit 1IP - Research Paper Example

Criminologists study feminist criminology an area that considers the subject on women and crime. There is penology where criminologists focus on the study of the prison system at large. Criminalists are physical scientists they are known as crime scene investigators, or crime lab technicians. According to Roberts, the task of criminalists involves recognizing, collecting, analysing, interpreting, preserving physical evidence from crime scenes (Roberts, 2013). Criminalists usually testify in courts regarding their scientific findings.

Roberts explains that many times the work of a criminalist revolves around the laboratory. Roberts clarifies that criminalists do not fight crime as shown in criminal movies. A Criminalists’ field of study is rather wide there are areas, which focus on firearms, and tool marks. This section deals with weapons, bullets, found in crime scenes. A study on DNA and serology involves examination of biological materials in crimes scenes that contain DNA. Criminalists study trace evidence, which include hair, soil, fibres, and other objects from crime scenes, which can provide information related to the crime.

A study on drugs alcohol and toxicology empowers criminalists with the knowledge on how to utilise analytical chemistry in identifying pills liquids, body fluids among other substances in a crime scene (Roberts, 2013). Forensic psychologists utilise human understanding to perform various tasks in the legal and civil systems. Atlaf explains that forensic psychologist assists in criminal investigation by performing criminal profiling tasks. Forensic psychologists can observe a crime scene and deduce the characteristics of the person who created the crime scene.

Atlaf mentions that forensic psychologists can work in police stations where they provide counselling to police officers. Forensic psychologists also provide crisis counselling for crime victims. In judicial systems, forensic psychologists perform a number of tasks. For instance forensic can determine whether a defendant is able to stand trial, they can also determine the mental state of a defendant when he was committing a crime. Atlaf explains that in American systems Forensic psychologists serve in family law where they perform the role of mediators between divorcing parents who have disputes the needs and interests of their children.

Forensic psychologists examine criminals and determine if they are dangerous. They provide information that is vital in the sentencing process. Sutherland (1949), states that white-collar crimes are illegal acts committed by persons of a high social status. According to Barnett (2010), white-collar crimes are illegal acts that are non-violent in nature. The United States department of justice argues that people engage in white-collar crimes for financial gain, to avoid payment, to secure personal or business advantage.

White-collar criminals utilise sophisticated means to conceal their acts of deceit. White-collar crimes include the various types of fraud, embezzlement, computer crime, bribery, forgery, antitrust violations. White-collar crimes cause massive financial losses to states, local government, private organisations and individuals. For example when a company shuts down due to financial losses resulting from a fraud case we have people who lose jobs, investors who lose their money, consumers who feel disappointed by the