defining crime

• Forensic psychologists apply psychological theory to criminal investigation to help understand psychological problems associated with criminal behaviour, and the treatment of those who have committed offences.
• Crimes are acts committed in violation of the law, where the consequence of conviction by a court is punishment

  Crime is socially constructed and is a reflection of the beliefs and attitudes of the society.
• Definitions of crime differ across cultures:

  • What is considered a crime in one culture may not be judged a crime in another
  • e.g. in 2014 forced marriage was made illegal in the UK, yet it is still practiced in some cultures.
• Definitions of crime change over time:

  • At different historical times, people define crime differently
  • E.g. a parents ‘right’ to smack a child was outlawed in 2004
  • E.g. homosexuality was deemed a crime in the UK until 1967, making it historically specific. Homosexuality is still illegal in some countries (culturally specific)
• Problems with circumstance:

  • There are circumstance in which the legal system can take the situation into account
  • Actus reus – the person should be in control of what they are doing E.g. the offender may be considered not criminally responsible due to mental illness
  • Mens rea – the intention to commit the act e.g. braking to avoid hitting a pedestrian but not having enough time.
• Problems with age:

  • It is difficult to say at what age children understand the difference between wrong and right.
  • Age of criminal responsibility in the UK is 10 (changed in 1963)
  • E.g. Case of James Bulger (2 year old) murdered by 2 10 year old boys