Criminologist
OFO No: 263205
Other names for Criminologist:
Criminal Analyst
What is a Criminologist?
Criminologists study crime. They study the evidence and legal systems to bring accused people to justice.
Criminologists need to know the law and how criminal justice agencies operate including:
- The SA courts
- Police services
- Prisons
- Community-based correction centres, etc.
Some Criminologists may specialise in a particular field, for example:
- Research
- Victimology
- Corporate crime
- Juvenile crime etc
Many people or careers are involved or support Criminologists:
- Researchers
- Forensics Criminologists
- Legal People (Prosecuters, Magistrates, Attorneys, Advocates, Judges, Legal Advisers)
- Police Officers and Correctional Officers
- Security Guards, Traffic Officers
- Social Workers, Psychologists, Religious Leader
- Teachers, Personnel Officers
- Managers in the public and private sectors
What does a Criminologist do?
- analyses and interprets data received from the crime scene
- provides info about the crime and suggest ways to process the case
- catalogues information about causes of crime & what crimes are committed
- reports on crime statistics
- develops crime-solving techniques
- develops crime-prevention strategies
- researches all areas of crime: Offenders, victims, sentences etc
- keeps up to date with the laws of the land, legal processes etc
Are you . . . ?
- interested in crime and working in this field?
- interested in human behaviour?
- observant and detail orientated?
- a person with personal integrity? (you do what is right)
- a person with excellent analytical and statistical abilities?
- prepared to work long and unusual hours?
- emotionally strong and stable?
- dedicated and hard working?
- a team player?
How do I become a Criminologist?
There are various ways to enter a career in Criminology and in each one you will need a degree.
There seems to be 3 are various ways to enter a career in Criminology and in each one you will need a degree.
(1) A B SocSci is most common, but a BA or BSc in with majors in CRIMINOLOGY will also be accepted
You can do a Bachelor of Social Science or Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with relevant majors, for example, Criminology.
- UNISA
Criminology and Security Science
http://www.unisa.ac.za/default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=165
- UNIVERSITY of FREE STATE
http://humanities.ufs.ac.za/content.aspx?DCode=162
- UNIVERSITY of CAPE TOWN
http://www.criminology.uct.ac.za/
- MONASH
http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/aos/criminology/ug-arts-criminology.html
(2) CRIMINAL JUSTICE
- UNIVERSITY of CAPE TOWN
http://www.criminology.uct.ac.za/
- MONASH
(3) CRIMINAL LAW
- UNIVERSITY of CAPE TOWN
http://www.law.uct.ac.za/courses
- UNIVERSITY of FREE STATE
http://law.ufs.ac.za/content.aspx?DCode=085
- UNISA
http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=209
NOTE: Each institution will have their own entry requirements. Please check with your institution of choice. Here is a rough guide:
Compulsory subjects: Mathematics
Recommended subjects: History and Geography
OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Attorney or Bodyguard
Is becoming a Criminologist the right career choice for me?
03.02.2015 Posted on Facebook
