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Criminology includes the study of all aspects of crime and law enforcement—criminal psychology, the social setting of crime, prohibition and prevention, investigation and detection, capture and punishment. Thus, many of the people involved—legislators, social workers, probation officers, judges, etc.—could possibly be considered criminologists, though the word usually refers only to scholars and researchers.
Examples of criminology in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But on Wednesday, July 2, in a surprise move, former PhD criminology student Bryan Kohberger admitted to the vicious stabbing murders that took place in an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022.
—
Christine Pelisek, People.com, 10 July 2025
Then one day before New Year's Eve, a criminology Ph.D. student at Washington State University was arrested, more than 2,000 miles from where the killings occurred.
—Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 4 July 2025
Five days after the murders, a criminology doctoral student at Washington State University changed the title on his white 2015 Hyundai Elantra, before driving it cross-country from Idaho to his parents’ home in Pennsylvania.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 30 June 2025
The jury will first consider whether the 30-year-old former criminology graduate student is guilty.
—Jean Casarez, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
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Christine Pelisek, People.com, 10 July 2025
Then one day before New Year's Eve, a criminology Ph.D. student at Washington State University was arrested, more than 2,000 miles from where the killings occurred.
—Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 4 July 2025
Five days after the murders, a criminology doctoral student at Washington State University changed the title on his white 2015 Hyundai Elantra, before driving it cross-country from Idaho to his parents’ home in Pennsylvania.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 30 June 2025
The jury will first consider whether the 30-year-old former criminology graduate student is guilty.
—Jean Casarez, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminology
Cite this Entry
“Criminology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminology. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
criminology
noun
crim·i·nol·o·gy
ˌkrim-ə-ˈnäl-ə-jē 
: a scientific study of crime, of criminals, and of their punishment or correction
Medical Definition
Legal Definition
criminology
noun
crim·i·nol·o·gy
ˌkri-mə-ˈnä-lə-jē
: the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon, of criminals, and of penal treatment
criminologically
adverb
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