Encyclopedia of Criminology

The definitive reference source on criminology and the control of crime

Richard A. Wright and J. Mitchell Miller, Editors

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With topics as varied as stalking, police brutality, Islamic legal traditions, the Sicilian Mafia, girl gangs, juvenile delinquency, assisted suicide, corporate crime, terrorism, and war crimes, this Encyclopedia of Criminology provides readers with the most comprehensive information in one resource.

No longer just a subtopic of sociology, criminology has become an independent academic field of study that incorporates scholarship from numerous disciplines including psychology, political science, behavioral science, law, economics, public health, family studies, social work, and many others. The three-volume Encyclopedia of Criminology presents the latest research as well as the traditional topics which reflect the field's multidisciplinary nature in a single, authoritative reference work.

More than 525 alphabetically arranged entries by the leading authorities in the discipline comprise this definitive, international resource. The pivotal concepts, measures, theories, and practices of the field are addressed with an emphasis on comparative criminology and criminal justice. While the primary focus of the work is on American criminology and contemporary criminal justice in the United States, extensive global coverage of other nations' justice systems is included, and the increasing international nature of crime is explored thoroughly.

Thorough and wide-ranging, this Encyclopedia covers the following major areas:

History of Criminology: Important early developments and innovations in criminology and major justice system events that impacted policy and practice

History of Legal and Criminal Justice Traditions: The social, cultural, and historical origins of specific practices and their influence on contemporary legal practice

Criminal Law: Originations of laws, their evolution, and current status and impact within the criminal justice system

Types of Criminal Behavior: Major forms of criminal activity and the policy initiatives taken to prevent these offences and punish offenders

Correlates of Criminal Behavior: The various factors that cause or are associated with crime

Victimization: Leading theories and empirical research on victims of crime

Measures of Crime: Overviews of the different methods used to determine crime rates

Theories of Criminal Behavior: Theoretical traditions and specific explanations of crime reviewed by a multidisciplinary approach

The Justice System: The major components, processes, and agencies that comprise the criminal and juvenile justice systems

Cross-Cultural and Global Crime and Justice: The extent and types of criminal behavior and crime control responses in specific nations and larger areas of the world in contemporary and historical context

Professional Issues: Topics related to criminal justice practice and criminology such as occupation entries that provide practical information about criminal justice careers and educational programs

Prominent Figures in Criminology and Criminal Justice: Major contributions of pioneers and other influential figures in criminology and criminal justice

Providing the most up-to-date scholarship in addition to the traditional theories on criminology, the Encyclopedia of Criminology is the essential one-stop reference for students and scholars alike to explore the broad expanse of this multidisciplinary field.

Accessible A-Z format

Comprehensive cross-references allow the reader to find relevant entries quickly

Bibliographies that suggest sources for further reading and research

Thematic list of entries group pertinent entries together for easy researching

Graphs and plotted statistics illustrate complex issues and trends

Over 300 contributors including many international scholars

Thorough, analytical index that leads the reader right to the information

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