This blog post explores the emerging subfield of atrocity criminology, focusing on the definitions, causes, and complexities of atrocity crimes like genocide and war crimes. It discusses the slow engagement of criminology with these issues since the 1990s and emphasizes the need for multi-level analysis and interdisciplinary collaboration to better understand and address these extreme acts of violence.
Axel Rudakubana committed a shocking knife attack in Southport in July 2024, murdering three young girls. In January 2025 he
The Grenfell report reveals that the avoidable deaths of 54 adults and 18 children resulted from systematic failures by various parties responsible for building safety. A kitchen fire ignited due to a faulty fridge-freezer, and the use of combustible cladding exacerbated the fire’s rapid spread. Budget constraints prioritized profit over safety, highlighting the consequences of neoliberal policies.
Collier (1998) criticizes Messerschmidt’s concept of hegemonic masculinity as too limited, arguing that it fails to consider the complexity of social subjects. He uses the case of the Dunblane Massacre to demonstrate the multifaceted nature of masculinity and its influence on violent behavior. Collier’s nuanced approach provides insight into the specific violence of men.
Messerschmidt (1993) notes that males commit most crimes and therefore any study of crime must include a study of masculine
Alexander Mullins was sentenced to 19 years for running a drugs ring from prison. He used smuggled phones and drones to orchestrate the operation, with complicit prison staff and understaffing aiding the smuggling. The case highlights challenges in prison management, technology enabling crime, and the limitations of adopting a tough approach in combating criminal activity.
The Chivalry Thesis states that women are let of relatively lightly by predominately male police and judges. It is one
Feminist criminology, stemming from the 1970s second wave feminism, offered perspectives that reshaped modern criminology. Early feminist critique highlighted the gender blind assumptions within criminology and the need to recognize male and female experiences of crime. Contributions included theories on women’s crime, control theory, poverty’s role in crime, and a focus on intersectionality. JETPACK_AI_ERROR
Restorative Justice encompasses victim-offender mediation, family group conferences, and sentencing circles, emphasizing core values and ethical principles. It promotes lay encounters, narrative expression, and ritual dynamics, empowering communities and promoting emotional restoration. The approach aligns with principles of fairness, accountability, and empowerment and has shown promise in reducing reoffending rates.
Only one in 20 offenders in the UK get charged. This is because of two main reasons: Tory funding cuts leading to declining police numbers and the increasingly complex nature of crime.