How to Become a Criminologist? Degrees, Responsibilities, Jobs & Required Skills
Are you planning to adopt a career as a professional criminologist in Pakistan? If yes, then you must know all the basics of becoming a criminologist in Pakistan. This informative article of arqumhouse.edu.pk about “How to Become a Criminologist” will provide you with all the necessary information you need to become a criminologist in Pakistan, starting from understanding the basics of criminology & criminologist, to pursuing a diploma or degree in criminology, to job types & areas available for criminologists & the duties or responsibilities of a criminologist.
How to Become a Criminologist in Pakistan? Routes
Becoming a criminologist in Pakistan is a challenging yet rewarding career path. It requires dedication, hard work, and a commitment to helping people. The first step in becoming a criminologist in Pakistan is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field. There are different routes to become a criminologist is Pakistan. The best route is BS, MS and Phd degrees in criminology or related subjects. The second route is LLB/LLM and PGD in criminology. AIOU is also offering distance learning PGD course in criminology in Pakistan. Once you have obtained your degree, you will need to gain practical experience in the field for getting 1st hand knowledge. This can be done through internships, volunteering, or working as a police officer or other law enforcement professional.
How to Become a Criminologist in Pakistan? Routes, Duties, Tips, Job Types, Job Areas
In addition to gaining practical field experience, you will need to complete a master’s degree in criminology or a related field like forensics, cyber crime etc. This degree should include courses in research methods, criminal justice policy & criminal justice theory.
Staying up to date on the latest developments in the field of criminology, forensic science, cyber security is also essential for anyone who wants to stay ahead of the curve. Attending conferences, reading research journals & staying abreast of the news are all great ways to stay informed in this regard. Conferences provide a great opportunity to network with other professionals in the field, as well as to learn about the latest research & best practices to combat against different kinds of crimes & criminals. Reading journals is also a great way to stay informed, as they provide an in-depth look at the latest developments, research data in the field.
Additionally, staying abreast of the news is important, as it can provide insights into how the field is changing & evolving. By attending conferences, reading journals & staying abreast of the crime news, you can ensure that as a professional criminologist you are always up to date on the latest developments in the field of criminology. For working at policy level you will have to join civil service through CSS exam.
What is Criminology?
Criminology is a scientific study of crime, criminals, law enforcement, criminal behavior & the criminal justice system. It is the study of why & how crime occurs, why people commit crime & the various legal systems in place to respond to crime. Criminology also deals with the social, legal, psychological & biological aspects of crime & its effects on individuals, families & society as a whole. In short in criminology we study policing, scientific crime detection,cyber crimes & laws, criminal investigation, terrorism, criminal law & jurisprudence, corrections, forensics, sociology of crimes, police administration, criminal psychology and jail management. In short Criminology is a fascinating field of study that examines the causes, consequences & control of crime.
Scope Of Criminology In Pakistan
Who is a Criminologist?
A criminologist is a professional related to any law enforcement agency or research institute who studies crime, criminals & the criminal justice system scientifically. Criminologists analyze crime data, analyze current and past crime trends & develop helpful strategies to prevent & respond to all kinds of crimes. They also evaluate criminal justice policies & use that information to create effective solutions for crime prevention, investigation & prosecution in courts of law.
Criminologists use a variety of scientific result oriented techniques to analyze crime & behavior of criminals, as well as the methods to counter them including surveys, interviews, experiments & data analysis. Criminology is an interdisciplinary field, which means that it utilizes a range of disciplines to gain a comprehensive understanding of crime. Criminologists can work in many different settings, such as government organizations, academia, research organizations, law enforcement or intelligence agencies & the private sector.
What is BS Criminology?
BS Criminology is a 4-year degree program that provides students with an in-depth understanding of crime & the criminal legal system. It covers topics such as crime & law enforcement, criminal behavior, criminal justice policy, criminal justice research & many more. Students in this program learn about the theories, methods & research related to the study of crime, as well as the criminal judicial system. Courses typically include criminology, criminal justice, sociology, psychology & other related topics.
PGD in Criminology
Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology is an applied program designed to equip students with the skills & knowledge necessary to pursue a career in the field of criminology. The program provides students with the opportunity to gain a broad understanding of crimes, criminal attitude and the methods to reduce and counter crimes, as well as develop their critical thinking & problem-solving skills. PGD Criminology is a best program for lawyers, officers of law enforcement agencies, psychologist, crime reporters, civil servants, judges and journalists for getting detailed information about the field of criminology.
LLB
LLB (Bachelor of Laws) is a 5-year degree program that enables students to specialize in a field of law. Students who get an LLB degree are equipped with the knowledge & skills necessary to understand & analyze criminal law and criminal justice policy. They may join law enforcement agencies as criminologist. PGD Criminology and LLM are best further study programs for them in Pakistan for becoming a professional criminologist.
Job Types & Job Areas For Criminologists
There are various types of job roles & job areas available for criminologists. These include:
• Law Enforcement: Law enforcement agencies such as the police, FIA, CTD, NAB, CIA, IB, ISI and other law enforcement agencies employ criminologists to research & analyze criminal behavior & to provide crime prevention advice. They also provide assistance in criminal investigation.
• Academia: Criminologists can find employment in universities, research institutes & other educational organizations & training schools of police department. In these roles, criminologists conduct research, teach classes & write publications on criminology & criminal justice.
• Consulting: Criminologists can also find employment as consultants for government agencies, NGOs, private organizations & other entities. In these roles, criminologists use their professional, scientific and technical knowledge & skills to provide advice, analysis & research on crime-related issues.
• Private Sector: Criminologists can also find employment in the private sector, particularly in the security & risk management industry, private detective agencies, security agencies, private housing schemes as as security in-charge. In these roles, criminologists use their knowledge & skills to analyze crime & develop strategies to reduce crime or respond to crime incidents.Some of the most common job areas include:
• Government agencies
• Law enforcement
• Courts
• Private sector
• Education
• Research
Some of the most common job types for criminologists include:
• Crime analyst
• Researcher
• Forensic psychologist
• Policy advisor
• Law enforcement officer
• Legal consultant
• Investigator
Duties of a Criminologist
The duties of a criminologist depend on their job role & job area, but typically include:
• Criminologists conduct in-depth research for collecting data to analyze crimes and criminals.
• They develop working strategies for crime prevention, investigation & prosecution in courts.
• They evaluate existing laws & policies related to crime & criminal justice for suggesting appropriate amendments.
• Criminologists assist law enforcement agencies & other similar entities for crime detection & crime prevention or investigation.
• Professional criminologists teach classes of training colleges of law enforcement agencies and conduct research in the field of criminology, forensics & cyber crimes.
• At policy level they advise government agencies & other entities on crime controlling related issues.
In short common duties of a criminologist include:
• Collecting and analyzing data
• Conducting research
• Developing and implementing policies
• Investigating crimes
• Writing reports
• Testifying in court
• Offering expert advice
Skills & Qualities Required in a Criminologist
Criminologists use their knowledge of law, sociology, psychology, and criminology to study criminal behavior, identify and solve criminal cases, rehabilitate offenders, and advise the justice system.
At Skills & Qualities Required in a Criminologist, we have compiled a list of the skills & qualities you need to make a successful criminologist in Pakistan.
Firstly, criminologists need to be analytical. They must be able to look at data, research & evidence to make connections & draw accurate conclusions. It is also important for them to be able to think critically & objectively. This means they must be able to consider all sides of an issue & weigh the evidence in order to come to a reasoned decision.
Secondly, criminologists must have strong communication skills. They should be able to explain their findings & theories in a clear & concise manner. They should also be able to talk to people from different backgrounds & cultures, as this is often important in on ground criminal investigations.
Thirdly, criminologists must have excellent research & investigative skills. They must be able to conduct thorough investigations in order to gather evidence, uncover patterns & develop theories about the causes of crime. They should also be able to review existing research to find new ways of thinking about the criminal justice system.
Fourthly, criminologists must be able to work with people from diverse backgrounds. They must be able to empathize with victims, understand the culture of criminals & develop rehabilitation plans for offenders. They should also be aware of the cultural, social & economic barriers that can lead to criminal behavior.
Fifthly, you need to have good knowledge of IT, computer science and cyber security as you may be asked to work or research in the field of cyber crime too.
Finally, criminologists should have strong ethical standards. They should be aware of their ethical responsibilities to the victims, the public & the government. They should also understand the law & be respectful of the rights of those they investigate or counsel.
Conclusion
Becoming a criminologist in Pakistan is a rewarding & challenging career path. You will need a solid educational background & experience in the field, as well as a commitment to being an effective leader & problem solver. If you are ready to take on the challenge, then you can start your journey to becoming a qualified criminologist in Pakistan today. That’s all from arqumhouse.edu.pk about “How to Become a Criminologist“, wish you best of luck for your future career as a qualified professional & successful criminologist.
