Meaning & use
criminology
The scientific study of crime, its causes, and the behavior of criminals.
See it in a sentence
She earned a degree in criminology before joining the police department.
The professor's research in criminology focuses on why juvenile crime rates change.
A note on using this word
Criminology draws on sociology, psychology, and law, and is distinct from forensic science, which examines physical evidence.
Words with a similar meaning
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