Encyclopedia of Criminology

(Note: Introduction is taken from uncorrected proofs. Changes may be made prior to publication.)

Crime and the threat of victimization are inescapable realities of contemporary society. Crime is so commonplace that prevention and security measures are viewed as natural and necessary precautions in both public and private life. A considerable and growing percentage of public resources are allocated for juvenile delinquency prevention initiatives, law enforcement training and technology, corrections, substance abuse treatment and numerous other aspects of criminal justice. Crime has also spawned privatized security, loss prevention, investigation, and rehabilitation industries, indicators of a socially embedded problem that cannot be altogether remedied by public efforts.

Since the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001, the lines between criminal justice and military concerns have become more intertwined and have forced even greater resource commitment, as well as reconsideration of public and personal safety in everyday activities. Crime clearly impacts our daily lives by affecting the routine choices we make, including everything from where we live and how and with whom we interact to how freely we move and whether we must protect our personal property. Crime is so ordinary and widespread that we have become somewhat desensitized to less than sensational acts. It also, somewhat ironically, seems to simultaneously scare and mesmerize us. Entertainment mediums throughout the popular culture depict acts of greed and violence as glamorous and even heroic. Children play the popular video game "True Crime" wherein they assume a criminal role and steal, shoot and flee while parents watch quasi-reality policing shows in which law enforcement gets the better of crooks. These shows are largely overshadowed, however, by a general proliferation of crime glamorization in movies, music videos, and much of youth and urban subculture.

The scientific treatment of crime has also burgeoned during the last three decades, evident, in part, by the separation of criminology from sociology, and the emergence of criminal justice, as an independent academic discipline. While many criminologists continue to be trained in the sociological tradition, criminology and criminal justice departments today include psychologists, political scientists, lawyers, economists, and geographers. Moreover, research specific to crime and delinquency is routinely conducted in a number of other fields of study throughout the behavioral and health sciences, such as nursing, social work, public health, child and family studies, and medicine. The multifaceted and overlapping nature of crime has generated an enormous amount of scholarly research on a vast range of topics both within and across these concerned disciplines. The extant knowledge base also reflects multiple sources, that is, different methodological approaches and research designs featuring surveys, experiments, program evaluation, ethnography and edge ethnography, content and document analyzes, the news media, social constructionism, and socio-legal and historical research.

The Encyclopedia of Criminology presents contributions that reflect the field's multidisciplinary composition and its theoretical and methodological plurality. The primary objective is to provide a comprehensive, digestible, and authoritative overview of traditional and contemporary topics that comprise criminology in a single reference publication. Previously focused primarily on theoretical concerns, criminology today is broadly oriented, from continued attention to the causes of crime, their interrelationships, and exploration of criminal processes to the address of crime, typically approached along the three prongs of the criminal justice system, law enforcement, the courts, and corrections.

The Encyclopedia of Criminology provides quick reference to definitive essays that span the scope of the discipline for interested individuals as well as students and scholars. The individual entries are linked to other related entries of interest by a thorough system of cross-referencing and "blind entries" that facilitate information searches through identifying synonymous and similar entry terms. The entries were selected so as to fully cover the following major substantive areas:

History of Criminology (9)
Important early developments and innovations in criminological theory and research and major justice systems events that impacted policy and practice are presented and discussed in social and cultural context. The influence of these events on the evolution of criminology as an academic discipline is addressed and provides an overview of criminology's rich history.

History of Legal and Criminal Justice Traditions (15)
The social, cultural, and historical origins of specific practices, why they emerged and the functions they served, and their influence on contemporary legal practice are presented in these essays.

Criminal Law (61)
The importance of legal concepts and principles for criminal justice in the United States and abroad are considered across these entries that relate the origination of laws, their evolution, and current status and impact within the criminal justice system. Fundamental legal concepts and principles are also related to larger social problems and policy issues, particularly important governmental actions and court cases.

Types of Criminal Behavior (124)
The major forms of criminal activity are addressed in these entries. Discussion speaks to the history of laws relating to the offense, the current, accepted legal definitions, up-to-date statistics pertaining to the extent of the behavior and known trends, and significant measurement issues. The correlates of each behavior are identified and associated theories are considered. Also, the policy initiatives taken to prevent these offenses and punish offenders are examined.

Correlates of Criminal Behavior (30)
Examination of the various factors that cause or are associated with crime. The important research on each correlate is reviewed and considered in terms of its implications for the criminological knowledge base, crime control policy, and criminal justice practice.

Victimization (8)
This relatively new specialization area is addressed through entries that present the leading theories and empirical research on victims of crime. The entries together comprise an epidemiology of victimization including its extent, frequency and trends. Attention is devoted to how research and public interest has resulted in new laws and changes in governmental policies. Victimization is considered in comparative context across these essays and leading issues in victimization research and advocacy are identified and critiqued.

Measures of Crime (15)
These entries provide an overview of how crime is calculated and rated. The major concepts and data-gathering techniques associated with each measure are reviewed and leading utilizations are noted. The development (timing and reasons) of measures, their import for criminological theory testing and revision, and controversies concerning their strengths and weaknesses are discussed.

Theories of Criminal Behavior (49)
The various theoretical traditions and specific explanations of crime are reviewed by a multidisciplinary approach, including positivistic, sociological, biological, psychological, and integrated perspectives. Pioneering scholars and works of each tradition are reviewed through presentation of leading assumptions and concepts and empirical support for each theory is assessed. The historical and contemporary policy and practice implications of the theories are also noted.

The Justice System (121)
This group of essays examines the major components, processes, and agencies that comprise the criminal and juvenile justice systems. The primary aspects of law enforcement, the courts, and corrections are reviewed. Comprehensive appraisal of system components feature definitional synopsis, functions, and jurisdictional issues. Also included are the historical development and policy relevancy of each topic.

Cross-Cultural and Global Crime and Justice (45)
These essays examine the extent and types of criminal behavior, as well as crime control responses, in specific nations and larger areas of the world in both contemporary and historical context. In addition to relating the most common and serious crimes found in different countries, underlying cultural and religious influences on deviance and crime are considered in comparative and ethnocentric terms. Crime control policy efforts are identified, assessed and related to other social institutions of the region, such as religion, education, family, the media and the economy.

Professional Issues (8)
This broad group of articles examines important topics relating to criminal justice practice and criminology. The occupational entries are definitive in nature, but also provide practical information for students considering various criminal justice careers. The qualifications, scope of responsibilities and activities, salaries, and current levels of opportunity are identified. Other essays address resources and educational programs in criminal law, criminology, and criminal justice.

Prominent Figures in Criminology and Criminal Justice (44)
The major contributions of pioneers and other influential figures throughout the development of criminology and criminal justice are summarized. Brief biographies are presented and provide a background for understanding how major accomplishments such as important works, programs, and policies shaped the field. The enduring legacies of these entrants are also remembered.

J. Mitchell Miller, Editor