MODULE 1: FOUNDATIONS OF CRIMINOLOGY &
PSYCHOLOGY
• Crime-Meaning , elements Definition, stages and Characteristics of Crime.
• Various types of crime- white collar crime, Blue collar crime, pink collar crime,
organized crime and cyber-crimes.
• Theories of crime-sociological theory of crime and psychological theory of crime.
• Crime trends in India (with reference to National Crime Records Bureau)
• Crimes against children (Nature, extent and legal provisions)
• Crime against women- Nature, extent and legal provisions
CRIME, MEANING,
ELEMENTS
AND CHARACTERISTICS OF CRIME,
Presented by Ms.Manjusha Bawankar
Asst.Professor, Jain (Deemed-to-be) University
CRIME
• A crime is an unlawful act or omission
that is punishable by the state or other
authority under criminal law.
• It's considered an offense against public
welfare that merits punishment.
• It is an act that breaks the law and for
which a person can be punished by the
government.
• It's like breaking the rules of society that
everyone is supposed to follow.
Remember:
Not all bad behavior is a crime. To be a crime, it must be:
• Written in law
• Done on purpose (usually)
• Actually carried out
• Punishable by the government
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF CRIME
1. Actus Reus (Guilty Act)
2. Mens Rea (Guilty Mind)
3. Concurrence
4. Injury or Harm
5. Causation
EXPLANATION….
1.Mens Rea (Guilty Mind)
• Mental element of crime
• Criminal intent or state of mind
• Can include:
• Intent (purpose to commit crime)
• Knowledge (awareness of consequences)
• Recklessness (disregard of risks)
• Negligence (failure to take reasonable care)
2.Actus Reus (Guilty Act)
• The physical element of crime
• Must be a voluntary act or omission
• Must be prohibited by law
• Examples: stealing, assault, trespassing
CONTINUED… 4.Injury or Harm
• Actual damage or potential harm
3.Concurrence : • Can be physical, psychological, or
•The bad intention and the
financial
act happen together
•Example: Breaking into a • Must affect society, individual, or
house intending to steal property
(burglary)
•NOT a crime: Thinking 5.Causation
about stealing but not • Your action directly caused the harm.
doing it • Direct link between act and harm
• Example: Drunk driving causing an accident
• Example: Leaving a banana peel that someone
slips on
CHARACTERISTICS OF CRIME
• Human Conduct
• Only human beings can commit crimes
State Punishment
• Must involve voluntary action or inaction
•Prosecuted by the
• Against Society state
• Violation of social order •Results in formal
• Breach of public rights and duties sanctions
• Affects collective welfare
•May include:
• Legally Defined •Imprisonment
• Must be specified in criminal law •Fines
•Community service
• No punishment without law
•Probation
• Cannot be retroactive
CONTINUED..
• Absence of Valid Defense
• No justification or excuse
• Examples of valid defenses: Dynamic Nature
•Changes with society's
• Self-defense
values
• Insanity •Evolves with time and
• Necessity culture
• Duress •New forms emerge
(e.g., cybercrime)
• Intent or Culpability
• Usually requires wrongful intention
• Exceptions: strict liability offenses
• Degree of culpability affects punishment
STAGES OF CRIME
1. Intention
2. Preparation
3. Attempt
4. Commission
5. Concealment
6. Consequences
1. INTENTION [ THINKING ABOUT THE CRIME ]
• The intention is the first stage of any offense and is known as the mental or
psycho stage.
• In this stage, the offender decides the motive and decides his course or
direction towards the offense.
• The ironical fact about this stage is that the law cannot punish the person just
for having an intention to do any illegal act.
• Moreover, being the mental concept, it is very difficult to judge if a person
possesses any such intention. Just by having an intention will not constitute
an offense.
EXAMPLES
• A person thinks about stealing money from their
workplace
• Someone plans to break into their neighbor's house
• A student considers cheating on an exam
2. PREPARATION [ GETTING READY FOR THE CRIME ]
• Preparation is the second stage amongst the stages of crime.
• It means to arrange the necessary resources for the execution of the intentional
criminal act.
• Intention and preparation alone are not enough to constitute a crime.
• Preparation is not punishable because in many cases the prosecution fails to prove
that the preparations in the question are for the execution of the particular crime.
EXAMPLES
• Buying tools like a crowbar to break
into a house
• Making copies of office keys without
permission
• Creating fake documents to commit
fraud Setting up a fake website to scam
people
3. ATTEMPT [ TRYING BUT FAILING TO COMPLETE THE CRIME ]
• An attempt is a direct movement towards the execution of a crime after the
preparation of the plan.
• According to law, a person is guilty of an attempt to commit an offense if he/she
does an act which is more than simply preparatory to the commission of the
offense.
• Moreover, a person is guilty of attempting to commit an offense even though the
facts are such that the execution of the offense seems to be impossible.
EXAMPLES
• Trying to pick a lock but running away when someone
approaches
• Reaching for someone's wallet but getting caught before taking
it
• Attempting to hack into a system but failing to get past security
4. COMMISSION [ACTUALLY DOING THE CRIME]
• The last stage in the commission of an offense is its successful completion.
• If the accused becomes successful in his attempt to commit the crime, he will be guilty of the
complete offense.
• Moreover, if his attempt is unsuccessful he will be guilty of his attempt
EXAMPLES
• Breaking into the house and stealing valuables
• Taking money from the cash register at work
• Successfully using stolen credit card information
Physically assaulting someone in a fight
5.Concealment (Hiding evidence of the crime)
• Deleting security camera footage
• Burning documents that prove fraud
• Selling stolen items in another city
• Lying to police about whereabouts during the crime
6.Consequences (Results of the crime)
• Getting arrested
• Facing criminal charges
• Going to court
• Dealing with punishment (fines, jail time, community service)
REFERENCES
• https://www.toppr.com/guides/legal-aptitude/indian-penal-code/stages-of-crime/
THANK YOU!!
TYPES OF CRIME:
1. WHITE COLLAR CRIME
2.BLUE COLLAR CRIME
3.PINK COLLAR CRIME
4.CYBER-CRIME
5.ORGANIZED CRIME
Presented by Ms.Manjusha Bawankar
Asst.Professor, Jain (Deemed-to-be) University
1.WHITE COLLAR CRIME
• White collar crime refers to non-violent,
financially motivated crimes committed by
individuals or organizations, typically in a
professional or business setting.
• These crimes involve deception, fraud, or
embezzlement.
Characteristics:
• Non-violent
• Financially motivated
• Committed by individuals or organizations
• Typically in a professional or business setting
Impact:
• Examples:
•Financial losses for individuals,
• Food and drug businesses, and governments
adulteration
•Erosion of trust in institutions and
• Illegal practice to earn
professions
black money
•Damage to reputation and credibility
• Tax evasion
•Potential for widespread harm
• Bribery
• Corporate fraud
• Identity theft
• White collar crime in
medical and legal
profession
2.BLUE COLLAR CRIME
Blue collar crime refers to violent or property-related crimes
committed by individuals, often in a physical or manual labor
context.
These crimes are often physical & personal in nature, and
are typically committed to meet an immediate need or
desire.
• Blue-collar crime is a general term for crimes committed by people
from a lower social class.
• Blue-collar crimes are different from white-collar crimes, which are
associated with crime committed by someone of a higher-level
social class. White-collar crimes are often technical and easily
hidden
Characteristics:
• Violent or property-related
• Committed by individuals
• Often in a physical or manual labor context
SOME EXAMPLES OF BLUE-COLLAR CRIMES
INCLUDE:
• Theft: Shoplifting, burglary, and other theft offenses
• Violent crimes: Assault,murder, and other violent crimes
• Drug crimes: Manufacturing, distribution, and possession of drugs
• Embezzlement: Employees who are trusted with handling money or other assets within a
company embezzling those monies for their own benefit
• Drug use, Assault, Burglary, Murder, Narcotic production or distribution, and Sexual
assault
Examples: Impact:
• Theft •Physical harm or threat to
• Burglary individuals
• Assault •Property damage or loss
• Vandalism •Fear and insecurity in communities
• Robbery •Economic costs (e.g., healthcare,
• Murder law enforcement)
REFERENCES:
https://roberteckardlaw.com/examples-of-blue-collar-crimes/
3.PINK COLLAR CRIME
• Pink collar crime refers to non-violent, financially motivated crimes typically committed by
women in roles that are traditionally seen as "feminine" or service-oriented jobs.
• The term "pink collar" itself comes from the idea that women have historically been associated with
certain types of work that are underpaid and centered around care, administration, and service (such
as teaching, nursing, secretarial work, etc.).
Characteristics:
• Committed primarily by women
• Often in traditionally female-dominated occupations or contexts
• May involve exploitation or abuse of vulnerable individuals
Examples:
• Elder abuse or neglect (e.g., in healthcare or care giving roles)
• Child abuse or neglect (e.g., in educational or childcare settings)
• Embezzlement or theft (e.g., in administrative or clerical roles)
• Healthcare fraud
Impact:
•Harm or exploitation of
vulnerable individuals (e.g.,
children, elderly)
•Damage to trust in
caregivers or professionals
•Financial losses for
individuals or organizations
4. CYBER-CRIME
• Cyber-crime refers to crimes committed
using computer technology, networks,
or the internet.
Characteristics:
• Involves computer technology, networks, or the
internet
• Can be committed anonymously or remotely
• Often targets sensitive information or financial
systems
Impact:
Examples:
•Financial losses or theft
• Hacking •Compromise of sensitive
• Phishing information (e.g., personal data,
• Identity theft national security)
•Disruption of critical
• Online harassment or Cyber stalking
infrastructure (e.g., healthcare,
• Ransomware attacks
finance)
• Cyber Terrorism •Psychological harm or fear
5. ORGANIZED CRIME
Organized crime refers to structured groups or networks engaging in illicit
activities, often with a hierarchical leadership and economic motivations.
Characteristics:
• Structured groups or networks
• Hierarchical leadership
• Economic motivations
• Often involves violence or intimidation
OBJECTIVES OF ORGANIZED CRIME
1. Presence of Mens rea and actus reus
2. Objective of earning profits
3. Regularity
4. Division of powers
5. Success with proper plan
6. Leadership
7. Secrecy
Examples: Impact:
• Drug trafficking •Widespread harm to individuals and
communities
• Human trafficking
• Extortion •Corruption and compromise of institutions
(e.g., law enforcement, government)
• Money laundering
•Economic instability and distortion
• Prostitution rings
• Terrorism financing •National security threats
• Contract Killing
