Criminology and Writing Crime

Crime is behavior deemed socially harmful or dangerous, defined by law and punished by the criminal justice system. It may involve an act or an omission. The definition of crime is based on many factors, including harm to others and the degree of intent, the extent to which the act or omission is against public order (e.g., felony or misdemeanor), the level of public consensus about whether the behavior is morally wrong, and the severity of any reaction or societal response.

The interdisciplinary field of Criminology (from Latin crimen, ‘accusation’ and Ancient Greek – logia, ‘reason, word’) explores deviant behaviour, the nature of criminal offences and the processes that define administration of justice and the criminal justice system. It draws primarily upon the research of sociologists, political scientists, economics scholars, legal scholars and psychologists.

When reporting on crimes, it is important to treat victims with empathy and respect. Avoid sensationalizing violence and making offenders into celebrities. A proven link exists between the way the media reports crime and the levels of public fear and concern about it.

Reading extensively in the genre of true crime can sharpen your narrative instincts and help you understand how to translate chaotic real-life events into a story that readers can follow and feel. Moreover, studying the work of writers like Truman Capote and Elizabeth Kolbert can show you how to build suspense, weave in research and tell stories with a strong ethical base.