crime and the law

• Types Of Crime / Evidence Of Crime

  • Violent Crime
  • Drug Crime
  • Sexual Crime
• Violent Crime

  • Includes serious assault and murder
  • Made up 24% of all crimes recorded in Scotland in 2022-23
• VRU


  Set up to help tackle violent crime in Scotland by treating it as a public health issue
• Drug Crime

  • Includes possession of illegal controlled substances
  • Crimes committed under the influence of these drugs
• In 2022-23, there were over 1,000 drug deaths due to the use of illegal drugs in Scotland, highlighting the problems that exist with drug crime
• Sexual Crime


  • Includes sexual assault, prostitution and rape
  • Scotland has seen a big increase in recent years
• Since 2013, the number of Sexual Crimes per year in Scotland has increased by 70%
• Social Causes of Crime

  • Family Background
  • Alcohol Use
  • Drug Use
• Family Background


  If a person is brought up in a household where crime is the norm, they may be more likely to commit crime
• People with 'Adverse Childhood Experiences' (ACES) such as physical abuse or neglect are 20x more likely to spend time in prison compared to those that don't
• Alcohol Use

  People can commit crime while under the influence as your thinking is impaired, or in trying to get alcohol (underage drinking)
• Over 40% of prisoners in Scotland - including 60% of young offenders - were reported as "drunk" at the time of their offence
• Drug Use

  Illegal substances like heroin and cocaine can completely alter how someone behaves and makes them depend on getting them by any means necessary, even though they are illegal
• In 2021-22, there were nearly 30.000 drug offenses recorded by Police Scotland
• Economic Causes of Crime

  • Poverty
  • Greed
  • Strain Theory
• Poverty


  When you cannot afford the basic things that you need to live, so are more likely to commit crimes to eam an income
• Around 25% of all crimes of dishonesty in Scotland are when people steal basic items such as food and clothing from shops
• Greed


  Having the selfish desire to get more and more of something, typically this is linked to getting money. Could be jealousy
• Former MP Natalie McGarry was jailed for two years in 2022 after embezzling more than £25,000, including donations intended for a foodbank
• Strain Theory


  This is a theory that believes when people can't get the success and power they want through normal means such as education. they tum to crime instead. This leads to the creation of gangs, as they create a power structure where people can be promoted and earn more power, like in the job market
• Biological Causes of Crime

  • Psychopathy
  • Hormones
  • Warrior Gene
• Psychopathy


  A medical condition that changes the way you interact with others. Believe you are superior. Can result in being manipulative, lacking remorse and unsympathetic
• A recent study found that around 8% of male prisoners in the UK are psychopathic
• Hormones


  Men have higher levels of the hormone testosterone than women which often make them more aggressive and more prone to risk taking
• In 2019-20 around 93% of all Scottish prisoners were male compared to 7% female
• Warrior Gene


  Certain 'warrior genes' have been identified which limit the ability of the brain to stop aggressive behaviour
• The BBC recently reported a study that found that people with the warrior gene were 13 times more likely to commit violent behaviour
• Consequences on Perpetrator


  • Go To Prison
  • Lose your job
  • Lose family and friends
• Go To Prison


  Lose your freedom, feel trapped, no control over your life
• E.g. murder can lead to a life sentence in prison with no chance for parole
• Lose your job


  Less money, hard to get a new one with your criminal record, more difficult to escape a life of crime
• Sometimes getting a non-custodial sentence like a CPO is better as it helps offenders not lose any jobs
• Lose family and friends

  Might not want to spend time with a criminal, may lose custody of children. Can lead to criminal being further isolated, increasing the risk of reoffending
• Consequences on Victim(s)


  • Physical Harm
  • Emotional Harm
  • Lose Money
• Physical Harm


  Injury or potentially death, time recovering from injury. Physical injures can lead to economic and emotional issues, which can slow recovery
• A recent study said that 1% of victims said that their physical injuries were the most upsetting part of crime
• Emotional Harm


  Potential PTSD, fearful of being a victim again
• Lose Money


  Money or items may be stolen, unable to work due to physical or emotional harm, poorer people more likely to be affected by crime, so will be affected more severely by any lost stolen items
• Consequences on Families


  • Lose Money
  • Divorce/Separation
  • Bad Reputation
• Lose Money


  Might lose the main breadwinner of the house (could lose their house)