Definition of Criminology

Criminology is the scientific study of crime as an individual and social phenomenon.

- Definition of Crime
According to its legal concept, a crime is an act forbidden and made punishable by the law.
But according to its criminological concept, for the act to be a crime, it must meet the following conditions;
1. The act must be done by a person Of competent age.
2. The act must be voluntary, and the person who does it must also be free from certain forms of compulsion.
3. The act must be intentional.
4. Knowledge
5. The act is done by malice or but sometimes it is done by negligence.
- Mala in se and Mala Prohibita;
a crime is an act that violates the basic values and beliefs of society.

Natural laws are rooted in core values shared by many cultures. Natural laws protect against harm to persons (e.g. murder, rape, assault) or property (theft, larceny, robbery)

Statutes are enacted by legislatures and reflect current cultural mores e.g. laws that prohibit marijuana use and gambling.