In this lecture, I will explain the definition of crime , elements of crime, classification and types of crime.
What is crime and its elements
what is crime and types of crime
Defining crime is very important in CSS criminology for competitive examination. In today's lecture, I will teach the aspirants about crime, various definitions of crime, elements of crime and will discuss actus Reus, Mens Rea and will explain the elements of crime. We will also discuss classification of crime and understand infractions, misdemeanors and felonies. In the later part of the lecture, I will discuss types of crime and will explain crime against person, crime against property, inchoate crime, statuary crime, white collar crime, organized crime and cyber crime.
3. Definitions of Crime
‘A crime is an act which is illegal. It’s against the law,
specifically the criminal law”
•The act will have two aspects to it –
• An aspect of criminal harm
• An aspect of criminal blame.
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4. •Crime is a public wrong. It is an act of offense which
violates the law of the state and is strongly
disapproved by the society.
•Crime is defined as acts or omissions forbidden by
law that can be punished by imprisonment or fine.
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Definitions of Crime
5. •The term crime is derived from the Latin word
“crimen” meaning offence and also a wrong-doer.
•Crime is considered as an anti-social behaviour.
•Each society defines crime in a different
perspective.
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Definitions of Crime
6. •Merriam Webster defines crime as:-
“An illegal act for which someone can be punished by
the government, especially a gross violation of law”
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Definitions of Crime
7. Thorsten Sellin (1931)
"Any form of conduct which is forbidden by the
law under pain of some punishment "
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Definitions of Crime
8. Criminologist Paul Tappan (1960) defines crime as
“An intentional act or omission in violation of criminal
law, committed without defense or justification, and
sanctioned by the state as a felony or misdemeanor.”
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Definitions of Crime
9. •Sir William Blackstone in his book commentaries on
the law of England, defines crimes as:-
“An act committed or omitted in violation of a Public
law forbidding or commanding it”
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Definitions of Crime
10. •Crime is defined in Halsbury’s Laws of England as
“An unlawful act or default which is an offence
against public and render the person guilty of the act
or default liable to legal punishment”
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Definitions of Crime
11. •Salmond maintains that a crime is:-
“ An act deemed by law to be harmful to society in
general, even though its immediate victim is an
individual”
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Definitions of Crime
12. •Edwin Sutherland, noted criminologist defines crime in
terms of criminal behaviour as:
“Criminal behaviour is behaviour in violation of criminal
law. No matter what the degree of immorality, reprehensibility,
or indecency of an act, it is not a crime unless it is prohibited
by criminal law.
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Definitions of Crime
13. • According to Samuel Koenig
“Crime may be defined as any act forbidden by law which
society expects its authorized officials to enforce.”
• According to F.R. Scarpitti and M.L. Andersen
“Crime can be defined in terms of the body of law that codifies a
society’s rules about proper and improper behaviour.”
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Definitions of Crime
14. • Hall Jerome has defined crime as
“Legally forbidden and intentional action which has a harmful
impact on social interests, which has a criminal intent, and
which has legally-prescribed punishment for it.”
• Elliot and Merrill
“Crime may be defined as anti-social behaviour which the group
rejects and to which it attaches penalties.” 14
Definitions of Crime
15. •With exceptions, every crime has at least three
elements:
•A criminal act, also called Actus Reus
•A criminal intent, also called Mens rea
•Concurrence of the two.
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Elements of crime
16. •Five conditions must be met :
1. An act must involves harm inflicted on someone by the actor
2. The act must be legally prohibited at the time it is committed
3. The perpetrator must have criminal intent (mens-rea).
4. There must be a causal relationship between the voluntary misconduct
and the harm.
5. There must be some legally prescribed punishment for actor
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Crime Explained
17. •The act is prohibited by law and contains legally
prescribed punishments.
•“Nullum crimen sine lege” (no crime without law) is
the Latin expression, the notion that “ex post facto”
(after-the-fact) laws are inappropriate.
•The act must be forbidden by law in advance of the
commission of the act.
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Crime Explained
18. •A criminal act, “Actus Reus” (the act itself, or the
physical element), must have taken place.
•Social harm of a conscious, voluntary nature is
required.
•There must be harm to the state, society or to people.
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Crime Explained
19. •The act is performed intentionally.
•“Mens rea” (criminal intent or “guilty mind”) is important
in establishing guilt.
•A person who may have committed a criminal act may be
found not guilty under certain conditions, such as insanity
or a history of mental disturbance, children 19
Crime Explained
20. Classification of crime
•Crime can be classified into three categories.
•Infraction Non Cognizable
•Misdemeanors Simple crime
•Felonies Heinous crime
•Possible punishments determine the differences between
misdemeanors and felonies.
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21. Classification of crime
Infraction:
• Infractions are petty crimes, infractions consist of minor
criminal offenses. Generally violation of rules
• Most infractions are punished by fines instead of jail and do
not require attendance in court.
• Infractions are classified as local crimes against traffic
laws.
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22. •Although an infraction is considered to be a minor
case, failure to resolve the penalty charges within the
deadline could lead to greater consequences.
•For example, multiple points on a license could lead to
license suspension or revocation.
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Classification of crime
23. •The accumulation of infractions could develop into a
misdemeanor or possible jail time.
•Different infraction cases include: (Violation of rules)
• Traffic rules violations
• Violation of building codes,
• Littering
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Classification of crime
24. Misdemeanors:
•Misdemeanors are minor crimes that the government
punishes by confinement in a jail for a year or less.
•Examples include petty theft, simple assault, disorderly
conduct, and disturbing the peace.
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Classification of crime
25. •Felonies:
•Felonies are serious crimes that the government
punishes by death or incarceration in a prison for a
longer period.
•This group includes such crimes as murder, rape,
robbery, and burglary.
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Classification of crime
26. Types of crime
The criminal acts can be divided into following primary
categories:
•Crimes against
person
•Property Crimes
•Inchoate Crimes
•Statutory Crimes
•White Collar Crime
•Cyber Crime
•Organized Crime
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27. Types of crime
Crime against person
•Crimes against person are
those that result in
physical or mental harm
to another person.
• These can be categorized as
• Homicide or murder
• Attempted murder
• Simple or grievous injury
(hurt)
• Kidnaping for ransom,
• Rape or sexual assaults
• Child abuse.
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28. Types of crime
Crimes against property
•Crimes against property typically
involve interference with the
property of another.
•It may also involves physical or
mental harm, but primarily
results in the deprivation of
property.
• Crimes includes,
• Thefts,
• Burglary,
• Robbery,
• Vehicle theft,
• Shoplifting,
• Mobile snatching
• Cash snatching.
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29. Types of crime
Inchoate Crimes
• Inchoate crimes refer to those crimes
that were initiated but not
completed, and acts that assist in
the commission of another crime.
• Inchoate crimes require more than a
person simply intending or hoping
to commit a crime.
• The individual must take a
“substantial step” towards the
completion of the crime.
• Inchoate crimes include aiding and
abetting, attempt, and conspiracy.
• Inchoate crimes can be punished to
the same degree or, the punishment
might be less severe.
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30. •Statutory Crimes
•Statutory crimes include those crimes, in addition to the crimes
discussed above, which are proscribed by special statute.
•The significant types of statutory crimes are alcohol related
crimes, drug crimes, traffic offenses, and financial/white
collar crimes.
•These crimes are specifically prohibited by statute because
society hopes to deter individuals from engaging in them.
Types of crime
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31. • White collar Crime
• Finally, financial crimes often involve deception or fraud for
financial gain.
• Although white-collar crimes derive their name from the
corporate officers who historically perpetrated them.
• These crimes include many types of fraud and blackmail,
embezzlement , tax evasion, and cybercrime.
Types of crime
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32. • Cyber Crime
• Cyber crimes are that category of crime which is committed by using
information technology.
• Computers are used to commit crime which contains a wide variety of
offences
• The offences are Denial of service, dubious financial transections,
ATM/Debit card frauds, criminal intimidation, identity theft,
pornography and black mailing.
Types of crime
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33. Types of crime
Organized Crime
• Organized crime is committed by
structured groups typically
involving the distribution and sale
of illegal goods and services.
• The term can refer to any group that
exercises control over large illegal
enterprises.
• such as the
• Drug trade,
• Gambling,
• Prostitution,
• Weapons smuggling,
• Money laundering.
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34. Next Lecture
My next criminology lecture will be on
Criminals and types of criminals
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