It is inherently multi -disciplinary in origin drawing on theory and methods from such disciplines as sociology, law, psychology, social policy, history and philosophy.
Criminologists study a wide variety of phenomena associated with crime.
For example, a major concern of criminologists is the criminal justice system. This includes all the institutions responsible for the management of crime in society, such as the police, the courts, the judiciary and the prisons. Criminologists are also interested in broader questions concerning crime and society. Criminologists are sometimes interested in studying particular forms of criminal activity. Examples include white collar crime, sexual crime, stalking, domestic violence and crimes committed by the mentally ill.