Criminology for Dummies

Your thorough guide to comprehending and combating crime
Are you fascinated by criminology, forensics, and detective work? This you-are-there guide takes you deep into the world of crime, giving you a better understanding of the dark recesses of the criminal mind and how law enforcement officials investigate crime. You'll gain real-world knowledge of the reasons for and consequences of crime, the way society responds to it, and, most important, how crime can be prevented.
Enter the world of crime — understand what crime is, how it is measured, and the various ways crime affects victims and society
Identify different types of crime — from white-collar crime to organized crime to terrorism, examine the nature of crime and why certain criminals are attracted to specific crimes
Know who commits crimes, and why — explore different theories that attempt to explain why people commit crimes
Take it to the streets — follow law enforcement officials and federal agencies as they chase and apprehend the bad guys
Seek justice — meet the key players in the criminal justice system and see why and how the guilty are punished
Deal with juveniles — know the differences between adult and juvenile systems, realize why youths are treated differently, and review modern methods for treatment
Open the book and find:
Common criminal traits
The causes of violent crimes
Recent efforts to secure victims' rights
The processes used to solve crimes
A step-by-step walkthrough of the criminal justice process
Ways to recognize and fight back against crime
Jobs in the criminal justice field
Ten notorious, unsolved crimes

Steven Briggs is a career prosecutor and nationally recognized lecturer on law enforcement and criminal law topics. He has trained many organizations, including the National District Attorneys Association, the National White Collar Crime Center, and the Russian-American Rule of Law Consortium. He is also an adjunct professor of criminal justice.

Introduction.
Part I: Defining and Measuring Crime.
Chapter 1: Entering the World of Crime.
Chapter 2: What Is Crime?
Chapter 3: How Crime Is Measured and Why It Matters.
Chapter 4: Helping Those in the Wake of Crime: Victims.
Part II: Identifying Types of Crime.
Chapter 5: Getting Violent: Crimes of Force.
Chapter 6: Hitting You in the Pocketbook: Property Crimes.
Chapter 7: Dressing Sharp and Stealing Big: White-Collar Crimes.
Chapter 8: A Group Effort: Organized Crime and Gangs.
Chapter 9: Tackling a Worldwide Problem: The Narcotics Trade.
Chapter 10: Front-Page News: Terrorism.
Part III: Figuring Out Who Commits Crimes and Why.
Chapter 11: What Factors Lead to Crime?
Chapter 12: Regarding Crime as a Rational Decision: Rational Choice Theory.
Chapter 13: Looking at Society’s Role in Crime.
Chapter 14: Can Your Mind or Body Make You a Criminal?
Chapter 15: Critical Theory: Theories off the Beaten Path.
Part IV: Fighting Crime.
Chapter 16: Battling Crime at the Local Level.
Chapter 17: Tackling Crime at the Federal Level.
Chapter 18: Solving Crimes: The Process.
Part V: Prosecuting and Punishing Crime.
Chapter 19: Seeking Justice: The Players and Their Roles.
Chapter 20: Finding the Truth: Pleading Guilty or Going to Trial.
Chapter 21: Punishing the Guilty: Why and How Society Does It.
Chapter 22: Examining the Juvenile Justice System.
Part VI: The Part of Tens.
Chapter 23: Ten Jobs to Consider in Criminal Justice.
Chapter 24: Ten Notorious, Unsolved Crimes.
Index.