What is a Criminologist?
Criminologists study the behavior of criminals in order to hypothesize their motives and increase the likelihood they’re apprehended. They examine numerous factors, such as criminals’ psychological processes and how they have been influenced by family, friends and society.
Their duties may vary, ranging from recording firsthand observations on the crime scene to directly interacting with the criminal to better understand their train of thought. The information they accumulate is cataloged as crime data and their findings are gleaned during later research. Upon completion of their investigations and research, they write detailed reports that, ideally, make the jobs of law enforcement officials a little bit easier.
Because criminologists’ careers focus on people who are unpredictable and unlike their peers, patience is required day-to-day. Criminologists don’t always discover a criminal’s motives, and a criminal’s behaviors don’t always fit a distinct pattern. The job is certainly a challenge.
How to Become a Criminologist
Criminology is field closely tied to psychology and sociology, and for that reason, most aspiring criminologists major in those disciplines. Psychology majors take courses such as behavior modification, statistics and behavioral sciences, human growth and development, social psychology, abnormal psychology, theories of personality and experimental psychology. Sociology majors take courses such as social problems, sociological theory, research methods, deviance and social control, culture and society and quantitative analysis.
In addition to attaining bachelor’s degrees, some aspiring criminologists opt to complete graduate coursework in behavioral sciences. Criminologists must have excellent research, organization, writing and communication skills, all of which should be acquired while in school.
Because most work for law enforcement agencies, they must demonstrate personal responsibility on and off the job. Background checks are run during the application process, so prospective employees with past indiscretions are weeded out. Some states require prospective criminologists to be licensed.
Criminologist Career Outlook & Salary
Police detectives and investigators will see employment growth that’s much faster than the national average for all occupations from 2008 to 2018. As the US population rises, crime will become more prevalent and even more difficult to control. The result will more positions created for occupations, such as criminologist, that focus on solving and preventing crime.
However, competition is expected to be stiff because of the abundance of qualified detectives and investigators who will be entering the workforce. The proliferation of television crime shows and the subsequent creation of more criminal justice-related majors have been contributing factors to the rise in popularity of the occupations.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, private detectives and investigators earn a median annual salary of $41,760, and the lowest 10% average $76,640. Of course, their earnings depend on the region in which they work, their employer and their specialty.
