criminology
noun
crim·i·nol·o·gy ˌkri-mə-ˈnä-lə-jē 
: the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon, of criminals, and of penal treatment
criminological
ˌkri-mə-nə-ˈlä-ji-kəl
adjective criminologically
ˌkri-mə-nə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē
adverb criminologist
ˌkri-mə-ˈnä-lə-jist
noun 
Did you know?
Criminology includes the study of all aspects of crime and law enforcement—criminal psychology, the social setting of crime, prohibition and prevention, investigation and detection, capture and punishment. Thus, many of the people involved—legislators, social workers, probation officers, judges, etc.—could possibly be considered criminologists, though the word usually refers only to scholars and researchers.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web At the time, McCree-Wilson was a program officer for the Cuyahoga County Department of Child and Family Services, having earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology. 
cleveland, 27 Aug. 2022 Evekink is a dual Dutch-Canadian citizen, and is currently a part-time doctoral student in criminology at Oxford. Emily Burack, Town & Country, 10 Aug. 2022 Research shows that those with an early interest in hacking have strong technical skills and often an interest in gaming, said Julia Davidson, a professor of criminology at the University of East London. Catherine Stupp, WSJ, 14 July 2022 Brokop appeared to approach Trappett too fast, said Justin Nix, a professor of criminology at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 17 June 2022 David Klinger, a criminology and criminal justice professor at the University of Missouri-St. David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2022 Gifford, who studied criminology and was employed as a social worker before pursuing acting, paints a dark picture of her clientele. Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 May 2022 Don Shelton, who directs the criminology and criminal justice department at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, wore body armor twice in his 25 years as a district court judge in Ann Arbor. Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 19 May 2022 Elizabeth Loftus, the renowned American professor of law, psychology and criminology, would dispute that memories are evidence of anything at all. Marisa Bate, refinery29.com, 7 Dec. 2021 See More
cleveland, 27 Aug. 2022 Evekink is a dual Dutch-Canadian citizen, and is currently a part-time doctoral student in criminology at Oxford. Emily Burack, Town & Country, 10 Aug. 2022 Research shows that those with an early interest in hacking have strong technical skills and often an interest in gaming, said Julia Davidson, a professor of criminology at the University of East London. Catherine Stupp, WSJ, 14 July 2022 Brokop appeared to approach Trappett too fast, said Justin Nix, a professor of criminology at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 17 June 2022 David Klinger, a criminology and criminal justice professor at the University of Missouri-St. David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2022 Gifford, who studied criminology and was employed as a social worker before pursuing acting, paints a dark picture of her clientele. Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 May 2022 Don Shelton, who directs the criminology and criminal justice department at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, wore body armor twice in his 25 years as a district court judge in Ann Arbor. Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 19 May 2022 Elizabeth Loftus, the renowned American professor of law, psychology and criminology, would dispute that memories are evidence of anything at all. Marisa Bate, refinery29.com, 7 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin crīmin-, crīmen "accusation, crime" + -o- + -logy
First Known Use
1872, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
criminology
noun
crim·i·nol·o·gy ˌkrim-ə-ˈnäl-ə-jē
plural criminologies
: the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon, of criminals, and of penal treatment
Legal Definition
criminology
noun
crim·i·nol·o·gy ˌkri-mə-ˈnä-lə-jē
: the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon, of criminals, and of penal treatment