Criminologist Legal, Social & Cultural Professionals
SaveWhat Does a Criminologist Do?
Criminologists study conditions pertaining to humans such as the social and psychological aspects that could lead them to commit criminal acts. They observe and analyse different factors ranging from behavioural conditions up to social background and environment of suspects in order to advise organisations on the prevention of crime.
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Where Do I Start?
Scientific Research Methodology
The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Criminologist
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialScientific Research Methodology knowledge
The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.
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EssentialCriminology knowledge
The study of criminal behaviour, such as its causes and nature, its consequences, and control and prevention methods.
Recommended Books
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EssentialAnthropology knowledge
The study of development and behaviour of human beings.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialCriminal Law knowledge
Th legal rules, constitutions and regulations applicable for the punishement of offenders.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialMathematics knowledge
Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialPsychology knowledge
The human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialSociology knowledge
The group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialStatistics knowledge
The study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of data …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAnalyse Legal Evidence skill
Analyse evidence, such as evidence in criminal cases, legal documentation regarding a case, or other documentation that can be regarded as evidence, in order to obtain a clear image of …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Knowledge Of Human Behaviour skill
Practice principles related to group behaviour, trends in society, and influence of societal dynamics.
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EssentialApply Scientific Methods skill
Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
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EssentialApply Statistical Analysis Techniques skill
Use models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.
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EssentialPerform Scientific Research skill
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
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EssentialReview Criminal Acts skill
Analyse acts committed by individuals that are considered illegal in order to uncover a pattern of action, motive, and demographics.
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EssentialUse Data Processing Techniques skill
Gather, process and analyse relevant data and information, properly store and update data and represent figures and data using charts and statistical diagrams.
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Optional Skills (5 of 18 displayed)
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OptionalLegal Research knowledge
The methods and procedures of research in legal matters, such as the regulations, and different approaches to analyses and source gathering, and the knowledge on how to adapt the research …
Recommended Books
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OptionalDemography knowledge
The scientific field of study that deals with studying the size, structure, and distribution of the human population, and its geographical and temporal changes.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalAdvise On Legal Decisions skill
Advise judges, or other officials in legal decision-making positions, on which decision would be right, compliant with the law and with moral considerations, or most advantageous for the adviser's client, …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Teaching Strategies skill
Employ various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating arguments when necessary. Use …
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OptionalAssist Police Investigations skill
Assist in police investigations by providing them with specialised information as a professional involved in the case, or by providing witness accounts, in order to ensure the police have all …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDocument Evidence skill
Document all evidence found on a crime scene, during an investigation, or when presented in a hearing, in a manner compliant with regulations, to ensure that no piece of evidence …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDocument Interviews skill
Record, write, and capture answers and information collected during interviews for processing and analysis using shorthand or technical equipment.
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OptionalInterview People skill
Interview people in a range of different circumstances.
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OptionalManage Database skill
Apply database design schemes and models, define data dependencies, use query languages and database management systems (DBMS) to develop and manage databases.
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OptionalPresent Evidence skill
Present evidence in a criminal or civil case to others, in a convincing and appropriate manner, in order to reach the right or most beneficial solution.
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OptionalWrite Research Proposals skill
Synthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the relevant …
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OptionalWrite Scientific Papers skill
Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
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OptionalCreate Criminal Profiles skill
Determine the psychological and social reasons people commit crimes in order to create typical criminal profile types that can be used by law enforcers in the future to solve crimes …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop Criminology Theories skill
Develop theories to explain why people behave as they do in specific situations and why they commit crimes, based on empirical observations and existing scientific literature in the field of …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop Security Concepts skill
Develop prevention, security, and surveillance practices and concepts to fight against fraud and to enhance public security, crime prevention, and investigation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalExamine Crime Scenes skill
Examine crime scenes upon arrival to ensure they are not tampered with, and to perform the initial assessments and analyses of what may have occurred, as well as examining the …
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OptionalMonitor Security Measures skill
Oversee and control the implementation of prevention, security, and surveillance measures in order to assess their effectiveness and to make adjustments in case of unsatisfactory results.
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OptionalObserve Human Behaviour skill
Make detailed notes while observing how humans interact with and react to each other, objects, concepts, ideas, beliefs, and systems in order to uncover patterns and trends.
Course recommendations coming soon.