Criminologist Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a criminologist. Feel free to use our criminologist job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a criminologist.
Who is a Criminologist?
Criminology is a relatively new science, having emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries from a broader study of sociology. Though the profession of a criminologist is relatively young, society in general, and philosophers, clergy, and community leaders in particular, have been studying and learning how to deal with crime for much of human history. A criminologist is essentially a professional who examines crime in order to decrease and prevent it.
Criminologists compile data and statistics from previous criminal offenses to figure out where and how frequently crime occurs. This information aids them in gaining a better understanding of why and how these crimes occur so that they can work to lessen and prevent such incidents in the future. Violent crime, white-collar crime, property crime, organized crime, and victimless crime are all studied by criminologists. In addition to criminal justice, criminologists are experts in sociology and psychology. These domains allow them to better understand why people commit crimes and how societal variables influence criminal behavior. Criminologists may investigate how environmental factors such as buildings and city layouts influence crime, as well as how human conduct can either raise or decrease it. They could also look into the impact of corrections on crime and come up with new ways to improve their efficiency. Criminologists investigate criminal behavior using many ideas and schools of thought in order to better understand how to adopt more effective crime prevention tactics.
Criminal justice is a broad field that includes preventing and solving crimes, as well as apprehending and reforming criminals and protecting communities. Criminologists have an impact on all of these sectors by conducting research that assists law enforcement and other professionals in their duties. Consider becoming a criminologist if you are interested in studying human behavior and developing solutions for crime prevention. We will examine what a criminologist is and what they perform in this post, as well as present an example job description. Criminologists work on a variety of programs to bring about change. They may provide recommendations to government leaders on how to make cities and communities safer. They may also collaborate with retailers to curb stealing and robbery. Most criminologists work in offices, but they do occasionally go out into the field to investigate crime scenes, interview criminals or victims, and visit places where crime is higher, such as jails or public areas. Criminologists frequently serve on policy boards and legislative committees, as well as in government agencies. Criminologists can also teach criminology and sociology courses at colleges and universities. Many criminologists collaborate with school board members to assess campus crime and provide recommendations for increasing safety in addition to their teaching obligations. While working for a university, they may also do research for other groups. To be effective as a criminologist, you must have a deep interest in human nature, a working knowledge of statistics, and the capacity to use theoretical ideas to produce well-informed analyses and hypotheses.
Types of Criminologists
- Forensic Criminologist
A forensic criminologist is a sociologist who specializes in criminal behavior research. Studying the causes and effects of crime, identifying economic, sociological, and psychological characteristics that cause people to commit crimes, seeking ways to better understand why people become criminals, studying crime prevention methods, and testing methods to reduce people’s inclination toward crime are all part of the job description. In federal, state, and municipal government agencies, forensic criminologists assist in the investigation of crime scenes. They work at juvenile detention centers, jails, and mental institutes, among other places.
- Education and Training Criminologist
The education and training criminologist profile can be used in a variety of criminology jobs. Criminologists who work in universities may do research and teach criminology, law, sociology, and legal studies. Full-time faculty members, professors, associate professors, assistant professors, instructors, or lecturers are all options for criminologists. Criminologists who have completed their education and training can work as consultants, researchers, or policy advisers.
- Legal Criminologist
To better comprehend law-making, law enforcement, and law-breaking, a legal criminologist will use his or her studies in politics, economics, sociology, and psychology. Criminologists look at a variety of topics related to crime, including criminal behavior, why a crime was done, and how crime has changed over time. A legal criminologist will work with data to do study, analysis, investigation, and information gathering; with people to assist, advise, convince, negotiate, and manage; and with ideas to plan, initiate, create, and communicate.
- Federal Law Enforcement Criminologist
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Secret Service, and the Border Patrol are all part of federal law enforcement. Criminologists seeking jobs in federal law enforcement will need more education and experience than those seeking employment in a similar role at the municipal level. The first step toward becoming a law enforcement criminologist is to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice or a post-baccalaureate certificate in criminology and criminal justice. This job entails assisting crime victims from all walks of life.
Criminologist Job Description
Below are the criminologist job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a criminologist job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a criminologist include the following:
- Gather and evaluate data about the origins and nature of the crime to establish criminal trends and common qualities among criminals.
- Investigate and study criminals’ biological, social, and psychological backgrounds to learn more about the motivations behind their criminal behavior.
- Create criminal profiles to help law enforcement better identify potential offenders, understand their behavior, and catch them.
- Examine crime scenes, evidence, and autopsies to figure out what happened and which criminal profile group the perpetrator belongs to.
- Prepare research findings reports and statistics for future reference.
- Assist law enforcement and the judicial system in formulating crime prevention measures and policy reforms based on findings.
- Assess the social consequences of crime and figure out how to deal with it.
- Investigate criminal activity
- Investigate crime-related environmental factors
- Compile statistical data.
- Detect criminal patterns
- Take surveys and conducts interviews
- Develop policy suggestions
- Compose relevant research papers and articles
- Research and improve the effectiveness of criminal rehabilitation.
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, sociology, or a related discipline is required.
- It’s possible that a master’s degree or postgraduate qualification would be preferable.
- It’s possible that licensure is required.
- Excellent communication and research skills.
- Ability to analyze critically and be detail-oriented.
- Computer abilities and software understanding are required.
Essential Skills
Research: A criminologist’s primary responsibility is to do research. If you have a strong academic background, you might like working in this profession. Criminologists’ findings are frequently published and utilized to develop new policies. Articles and research papers necessitate a high level of formatting and writing expertise. As a result, technical writing courses are likely to be taught as part of your selected study path to becoming a criminologist.
Interest in public policy: A job as a criminologist can allow you to have a positive impact on public policy and assist in the development of new crime-fighting and prevention measures.
Good with statistics: People who have a talent for interpreting and explaining statistical data, as well as those who have a strong desire to help their communities, will enjoy working as criminologists. You will likely need a strong grasp of mathematics, especially in the area of probability and statistics.
Teamwork: Criminologists are frequently called upon to collaborate with law enforcement and other criminology agencies. Working well with people is an important quality for criminologists to have because it allows for different viewpoints and fresh ideas. A positive attitude and a clear understanding of everyone’s roles can help to foster a positive team environment.
Patience: The study of criminology necessitates extensive research that can take a long time to accomplish. Forming new policies to assist prevent crime is one of a criminologist’s main responsibilities, which might take time to update and perfect. Organizing your life and eliminating stress may help you increase your patience.
Excellent organizing skills: You’ll have to keep a lot of information structured. Criminologists frequently work on a number of research articles at the same time. They can focus on their work and avoid becoming overwhelmed by tasks and responsibilities if they are organized. You may become more organized by setting objectives, planning, and managing your time.
Interpersonal skills: Because certain positions include interviewing or meeting with other criminal justice professionals and convicts, solid interpersonal communication skills are particularly beneficial.
Adaptability: As new research becomes accessible, the area of criminology changes on a regular basis. Being a criminologist requires the ability to adapt to new teachings and formulate new policies. Experiencing new things, making errors, and learning from others can all help you become more adaptable.
Communication Skills: Because criminologists frequently conduct research interviews with criminals and members of the public, a big portion of their employment entails converting the information acquired into a policy or research piece. They might use their vocal abilities to elicit useful information from an interviewee, then use strong writing skills to turn that information into research papers. Attending skill seminars, as well as practicing active listening, can help you improve your communication abilities.
Problem-solving: One of the most essential aspects of criminology is crime prevention. Keeping communities secure and preventing crime sometimes necessitate problem-solving abilities. Using tactics like brainstorming and analyzing various options will help you enhance your problem-solving abilities.
Strong writing skills: Finally, strong writing abilities are required since you may be required to prepare reports that state and summarize the results of your data analysis.
How to Become a Criminologist
- Complete a bachelor’s degree in criminology
Criminology is a multidisciplinary field of study. It has to do with the criminal justice system and human psychology. A criminology bachelor’s degree can help you achieve your aim of becoming a criminologist. This course teaches students why people commit crimes and what they can do to prevent them. It can take up to three years of full-time study and practical practice to complete a bachelor’s degree in criminology. This degree may open up new job prospects for you, allowing you to expand your abilities and expertise.
- Gain experience in the criminology field
Getting some criminology experience can help you figure out what career route is ideal for you. Volunteer and internship opportunities are available through several state governments. Volunteering can demonstrate to potential employers that you are committed to and serious about a career in criminology. Previous work experience positions may have provided you with lessons and courses that are applicable to your study. Many criminologist positions are found in government agencies. The Australian Institute of Criminology is one of these organizations (AIC). For careers in criminology, you can apply online through job boards.
- Complete post-graduate studies
A postgraduate criminology degree can help you obtain a better grasp of the criminal justice system. Post-graduate degrees might take up to two years to finish, but they can give you a wealth of information and abilities. Criminologists operate in a variety of areas of law enforcement, from counter-terrorism to cybercrime. As a criminologist, having a specialty area can help you expand your work opportunities. Courses to strengthen your technical and soft skills are available through post-graduate degrees. Several post-graduate degrees can help you learn about the legal system. Many of the units in a degree related to criminology, such as psychology, can overlap. Both psychologists and criminologists work with the public and research human behavior.
- Apply for a job
You can apply for criminologist jobs if you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree and relevant work experience. Police clearance is one of the requirements for working in the criminology field. This can be ordered online or from your local Australia Post office. Before you begin applying for employment, double-check your resume to make sure it has up-to-date information. Incorporate criminology-related job and education achievements into your CV. To demonstrate to hiring managers that you’re the best applicant for a position, you might send several versions of your resume dependent on the job description.
Where to Work as a Criminologist
Criminologists serve on policy advisory boards and legislative committees for local, state, and federal governments. They may work for privately sponsored research tanks or criminal justice or law enforcement agencies in some situations. Criminologists work in offices most of the time, but they do travel on occasion. Typically, these individuals do research and teaching for large law enforcement agencies, government agencies, or social psychology labs at universities or similar institutions.
Criminologist Salary Scale
A criminologist’s average annual pay in the United States is $59,237. Depending on your level of expertise and qualifications, you might be able to earn less or more than this amount. The lowest ten percent of annual incomes are around $40,000. You may be able to earn a higher wage if you hold a master’s degree in criminology, psychology, or criminal justice. Criminologists with extensive training and expertise can earn well over $100,000 per year. Criminology graduates in Nigeria can expect to earn between 70,000 and 350,000 Naira per month. The wage of a criminologist varies depending on where you work; various employees receive different compensation packages. Private employees, on average, earn more than government employees, but this is not always the case.
