Introduction to Criminology Definition, Concept & Theories

This book postulates a vibrant understanding of criminology as a social discipline, which comprises the study of crime and criminals, pedigrees of criminal law, etiology of crime, societal reaction to crime, the operational of law implementation groups and the corrective institutions. The latitude of criminology includes viewpoints on making laws, breaking laws, and societal reactions to laws being broken.

Criminology establishes principles for distinguishing criminal and non-criminal behavior. It classifies various types of crimes and criminals, approves right and proper punishment for criminals. The author evaluates the rudiments of criminology which are social science theory, research methods and the criminal justice system which includes the police, courts and corrections. The author emphasises why study criminology, it makes one to enter into a professional responsibility that is of high usefulness to society, tackling crime and discovering why people break the law.

This book is resourceful to undergraduate and postgraduate scholars, policy makers, lecturers, educators and social workers.

Author bio section:

Professor Ndikaru wa Teresia is a well-known activist on environment and human rights issues in Kenya. He has made remarkable contribution to the rights of the oppressed people in Thika, Kenya. In September 14 1992 he led a mass demonstration of hundreds of people against KEL Factory which produced chemicals which were affecting people in Thika. He is a professor of criminology in the Department of Criminology and Legal Studies, and the Catholic Chaplain at The Technical University of Kenya, Nairobi.

Professor Ndikaru was born in Kamirithu Village, Limuru, Kiambu, Kenya. He was educated at Kamandura Lower Primary School, Limuru-Kenya, Kigumba Intermediary Primary School, and Kihura Catholic Upper Primary School in Kigumba, Masindi-Uganda. He attended Queen of Apostles Seminary, Nairobi, for "O" and "A" levels. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Pontifical University of Urbaniana, Rome-Italy; Master's degree in Disaster Management from University of Nairobi, and PhD in Criminology from Kenyatta University.

He is the Founder and Administrator of St Matia Mulumba Mission Hospital in Thika and Administrator of KENGO/St Mulumba Environment Quality Assessment, which assessed environment pollution in Thika. Professor Ndikaru is a prolific writer with several books to his name. He has authored Introduction to Disaster Management, Research Methodology Volume 1 and 11, Crime Differentials in Nairobi Metropolitan Slum Areas, Introduction to Penology, Cry of the Oppressed, Introduction to Victimology, Pollution and Urban Life in Kenya, The Slums Juvenile Delinquency in Kenya, Introduction to Criminology, Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism. He also co-authored with Waithaka Waihenya the book 'A Voice Unstilled; Archbishop Ndingi Mwana a'Nzeki.'

Professor Ndikaru was for many years the editor of "Mwananchi Magazine", owned and published by Kenya Episcopal Conference, "The Voice Newsletter", published by the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi, "Thika Ecumenical Newsletter", which was owned and published by Anglican Church of Kenya, the Presbyterian Church of East Africa and Catholic Church in Thika. He is widely published in reputable international peer reviewed journals.