CSS Solved Criminology Past Paper CSS 2021 | Focus of Typology
Question Breakdown
In this question, the examiner has inquired about the focus of typology in criminology. This query can be answered by describing the system of classifying and organizing criminal behaviours, offenders or other related aspects of crime. Aspirants should start their answer by defining criminal behaviour. Then, they can explain the focus of typology by delineating how to deal with a particular type of criminal. The addition of scholarly references, definitions and examples will make the answer outstanding. Moreover, flowcharts, diagrams, tables, and relevant quotations can further enhance the quality of the answer.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-Defining Typology in Criminal Behaviour
3-Focus of Typology in Criminal Behaviour
- ✓ Legal and Structural Classification
- ✓ Typology Based on Psychology and Personality
- ✓ Sociological and Environmental Influences
- ✓Typology Based on Motivations
- ✓ Organized and Disorganized Criminals
- ✓ Gender and Cultural Dimensions in Criminal Typology
- ✓Technology-Oriented Typology in Criminality
4-Critical Analysis
5-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
The typology of criminal behavior can be defined as the systematic categorization of criminal activities carried out by the offenders based on underlying objectives, behavioral patterns and environmental factors as well as social and psychological characteristics. In order to predict, comprehend and deal with various form of criminal behavior, understanding the typology is crucial for criminologists, psychologists and officers of law enforcement agencies. The focus of typology in criminal behavior is not only descriptive but also deeply analytical, based on classical and modern theories of criminology. It assists the policymakers, law enforcement agencies and criminologists to formulate effective crime prevention strategies, rehabilitation models and justice responses. Donald R. Cressey delineates in “Principles of Criminology”,
“Understanding the types of criminal behavior requires exploring both opportunity structures and individual predispositions.”
Defining Typology of Criminal Behavior
Typology in criminal behavior can be defined as a system of classification that aims at identifying and organizing types of criminal behavior on the basis of motive, personality, method as well as background traits of criminals. According to J. E. Douglas, R. K. Burgess and C. R. Hartman,
“Typology in criminal behavior is the systematic categorization of offenders based on shared psychological traits, behavioral patterns, and crime scene indicators, enabling predictive profiling and investigative direction.”
In “Criminology: The Core”, Larry J. Siegel defines typology of criminal behavior as,
“Organized systems of classification used to understand the variety and complexity of criminal acts and offenders by analyzing patterns of causation and criminal characteristics.”
John Hagan is of the notion,
“Criminal typologies are theoretical models that offer a structured means of understanding variations in criminal conduct, offender motivation, and social context by grouping similar behaviors into coherent categories.”
Focus of Typology in Criminal Behavior
The typology of criminal behavior focuses on systematic classification of crimes based on the underlying objectives in order to understand the behavioral patterns and assist law enforcement agencies as well as criminologists in preventing and minimizing criminal behavior.
Legal and Structural Classification
Any act that violates the law and legal statutes is known as criminal behavior. According to Larry J. Siegel, typologies are crucial for distinguishing morally offensive acts from those that are punishable under the law. The legal and structural classification categorizes felonies, misdemeanors, violent and non-violent crimes etc. This classification is crucial for setting the boundaries for punitive measures as well as criminal accountability. For example, the Section 302 and Section 376 of Pakistan Penal Code specifies punishments for heinous crimes like murder and rape.
Typology Based on Psychology and Personality
People suffering from psychological disorders are antisocial, unemotional, deceptive and disorganized. They usually indulge in criminal behavior because they are impulsive in nature and mentally ill. In 2023, data presented by Lahore police unveiled that more than 8% of violent crimes are committed by people with mental illness that is untreated. Therefore, Risk-Need-Responsibility Model was introduced by Canadian researchers named James Bonta, Donald A. Andres and Paul Gendreau in the 1980s. It is one of the most influential models used in prison systems worldwide for determining eligibility for psychological treatment, rehabilitation, vocational training and parole.
Figure 1: Psychological Typologies and their Role in Treatment of Mentally Ill Offenders
Sociological and Environmental Influences
Poverty, family discord, depraved peer groups and urbanization leads to stress therefore, people engage in criminal behavior. In Strain Theory, Robert K. Merton delineates that individuals indulge in criminal behavior when they are deprived of legitimate means to achieve the legal goals. In Pakistan, urban poverty is 32% and informal economies develop strongly which leads to criminal activities such as theft, smuggling and street crimes etc. The situation is similar in Sub-Saharan Africa and South American urban slums. Therefore, sociological and environmental influences ought to be studied in typology of criminal behavior as they indicate societal problems, cultural disorganization and social strain thus, assisting in formulation of policies for long-term prevention of crimes.
Typology Based on Motivations
Behind every criminal act, there is certain economic, ideological, recreational, political or sexual motivation. This typology is essential for understanding why youth is radicalized in Pakistan and involved in religious militancy as well as terrorist activities. It will help counterterrorism agencies of Pakistan in de-radicalizing the youth and countering the extremist narratives disseminated by the terrorist groups.
Organized and Disorganized Criminals
For the profiling of serial crimes, Federal Bureau of Investigation classifies criminal behavior as organized and disorganized. The planning of organized criminals is meticulous whereas, that of disorganized criminals is impulsive. Organized offenders target particular individuals or groups unlike disorganized offenders whose victim selection is random. The mental health of organized criminals is usually normal however, that of disorganized criminals is disturbed. This classification assists in strategic policing as well as designing rehabilitation methodologies for the offenders. In addition, it is crucial for the behavioral analysis of criminals. For example, from 2020-2023, Karachi envisioned more than 500 targeted killings carried out by organized criminal factions. On the other hand, in Rural Punjab, disorganized crimes arise due to family feuds and disputes. The law enforcement agencies of Pakistan also consider this typology relevant for dealing with both type of criminal factions.
Gender and Cultural Dimensions in Criminal Typology
Criminal behavior also emerges from deviant subcultures, gender roles and marginalization of minorities. According to Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, more than 1000 women were murdered in the name of honor killing in Pakistan from 2021 to 2023. However, women and intersex community is excluded from policy making and traditional typologies. Therefore, gender and cultural dimensions in criminal typology are paramount for understanding gender-based crimes.
Technology-Oriented Typology in Criminality
In the contemporary era, individuals use technology while engaging in criminal behavior for example, cyber terrorists and hackers etc. Technology-oriented typology assists in differentiating between economic-motivated cybercrimes, state-sponsored cyber warfare as well as psychologically driven harassment and cyber bullying. In 2023, the Cyber Crime Wing of Federal Investigative Agency reported 55% increase in cybercrime complaints, with Lahore and Karachi as the most vulnerable cities. Moreover, Interpol reported that financially motivated cybercrimes increased by 27% across the world in 2023. Therefore, classifying criminal behavior with technological orientation is crucial for formulating legal statutes and policies to combat digital predators.
Critical Analysis
Theorists and scholars like Lombroso and Enrico Ferri etc. categorized criminals into various types encompassing; insane criminals, criminals by passion, born criminals, habitual criminals and occasional criminals. The typologies of criminal behavior not only provide structured classification that helps in understanding the causes and motivations of crime but also assist policy makers and law enforcement agencies in formulating policies to deal with those crimes. Nonetheless, as John Hagan argues, these classifications sometimes oversimplify the multifaceted nature of criminality. Besides, the typology classifying organized and disorganized offenders is also criticized because it is Western-centric and lacks cross-cultural validity in South Asian and Middle Eastern region. Furthermore, the traditional typologies do not include gender and cultural perspective as well as juvenile justice. The emergence of modern crimes like cybercrimes and terrorism also challenge the traditional frameworks. While typologies are crucial for classifying criminal behavior, adaptability to the evolving nature of criminality is essential for guaranteeing its utility.
Conclusion
To cap it all, offenders adopt criminal behavior because of different biological, financial and psychological problems. Typologies in criminal behavior are a cornerstone in interdisciplinary study of criminality that offer a structured approach to comprehend the intricate relationship between individual characteristics, environmental influences, motivations, technological advancements and criminal patterns. This systematic categorization of criminal behavior is crucial for effective enforcement of law, forensic profiling, judicial decisions as well as rehabilitation of offenders. Nevertheless, the typologies should be flexible and adapt with the advancements in technology and evolution of crime. C. R. Bartol and A. M. Bartol, in their work titled “Criminal Behavior: A Psychological Approach”, delineate,
“Typologies in criminal behavior serve as frameworks that assist in profiling, risk assessment, and criminal justice decision-making by identifying commonalities across offenders and offenses.”
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