Criminology is the study of crime and the social behavior of the alleged criminals. This field also studies the effects of crime in order to assist law enforcement. There are a variety of different criminology jobs available for persons interested in pursuing criminology careers.
Criminology jobs may require an individual to have specific education and training in criminal justice. The criminologist may also have a law enforcement background. Jobs are usually offered in the private sector or with law enforcement agencies.
One of the important criminology jobs focuses on forensics. A person working in this area may work as a forensic pathologist. This trained professional has studied forensic science and often analyzes facts from a legal and scientific point of view. He or she may also review information from a crime scene in a lab.
Criminal profilers, another criminology profession, usually work with local and federal departments. Their job is to provide a psychological and social background of the potential criminal.
Another criminology job is that of a crime scene investigator or technician. This person usually goes to the place where the alleged crime occurred in order to review the evidence. The technician generally will prepare a report to give the findings to local law enforcement departments. Investigators may also have to testify in court regarding the information obtained.
Prisons often have criminologists on staff. These people may spend a good deal of time talking with the prisoners to get an assessment of their mental status. Review boards may also collaborate with a criminologist when deciding if an inmate will be released.
Criminologists are also utilized in the field of computer forensic science. If a person is suspected of using a computer for something illegal, a criminologist may analyze the activity on his or her computer. This often includes looking at Internet usage and downloaded files.
Youth offender programs frequently use criminologists. They may consider a study of the youthful offender when determining if the offender may commit another crime. The criminal justice system will often try to rehabilitate young perpetrators. A criminologist may share some insight into potential future behavior.
Many of the available criminology jobs can be demanding and stressful. Some of the jobs may require the person to work late nights and long hours. People who work in this field may encounter crime scenes that can be upsetting.
Because of all this, criminology jobs typically offer competitive pay. These positions are generally given to candidates who have can think fast and analyze a lot of information. These job opportunities can be very interesting and challenging.