Criminology Career Scope: Jobs, Placements, Salary 2023, Top Recruiters

“Situations prepare the crime, a criminal commits it and a criminologist magnifies it by serving as a doctor to heal the victimised” Criminology can be described as swotting of crime from a social and societal point of view. It can be said that it’s not just the scrutiny of crime from a holistic perspective but it focuses on minutes of a “crime scene”. It involves minuscule details like does the crime that the criminal has committed has a devastating impact or an impact that is tolerable yet justified, the causes of the crime and the intrinsic motivation that upheavals individuals who commit the crime. The focus imperatively is to seek the causes and effects of the psychology that revolves within the mind of a criminal.  

Criminology extracts anything and everything that deals with criminals, crimes and crime victims. It is a multi-disciplinary curation that has its wings attached to dimensions of Psychology, Biology, Statistics, Law, and sociology. Criminologists play a key eminent role to procure science-based thematic structures of Social Justice, Law, Policies, Situationism and largely crime. While implementing their theoretical knowledge and practical experience, experts in this field contribute to support and strengthen various horizons like legal obligations, judiciary and overall, the well-being of the nation. 

Why choose Criminology?

• The study of criminology has emerged as a difficult career choice for young people in this country. Since it deals with the causes of crime and how to prevent it, the various courses that are related to it aid one in learning how to correctly identify those causes and take preventative actions.
• Criminology has emerged as one of the fastest-growing vocations in the field of crime and investigation in India, a country where the crime rate is 445.9 (2021).
• Criminologists make an average of INR 3,50,000 LPA. The typical salary for a criminal analyst is INR 5,46,921 LPA. After that, a criminal defence attorney in India can earn between INR 1,94,000 and INR 30,00,000 LPA.
• While state police forces are in charge of upholding the law and conducting investigations into crimes, central forces support them with issues relating to intelligence and internal security (e.g., insurgencies). About 3% of the budgets of the federal and state governments are spent on police.
• In 2021, the global market for private investigative services is projected to reach $6.4 billion. In India, the growth rate is already close to 30% yearly, and by 2020, it is anticipated to reach 1700 crores.

Top career options in Criminology

Criminology graduates have a variety of employment opportunities available to them. The major duties of some of the greatest jobs in the stream of criminology have been listed below so that candidates can apply for them if they want to work in this industry.

• Crime Intelligence Analyst: The task of recognising the prospect's behaviour and conducting an analysis of the data about it falls to a crime intelligence analyst. They aid the investigator in resolving crime-related issues. They carefully and independently assess each piece of data. To find the crime, they employ a variety of tools.
• Drug Policy Advisor: The policy on drugs is created and evaluated by a drug policy advisor. They oversee, handle, and provide guidance on all legal problems. In order to deploy the medicine and affect the surrounding environment, they also speak with the prospect about it.
• Forensic Psychologist: By looking into, learning about, and incorporating psychological information into a legal situation, a forensic psychologist is responsible for preventing crimes. To comprehend the situation, they apply their expertise in psychology. Additionally, they assess and defend the prospect's rights. Their experience helps keep a criminal investigation on schedule.
• Criminal Justice Professor: Teaching criminal justice, creating course curricula, and assessing student achievement are all responsibilities of a criminal justice professor. When asked questions, they provide the best answers they can while also understanding the requirements. They organise the topic matter and perform research. They are also accountable for determining a student's learning needs and providing the appropriate solutions.

Criminology Career Scope in India

One who has completed a degree programme or a PhD programme in criminology is referred to as a criminologist, a profession that is on the rise in both India and overseas. Numerous detective agencies are developing in India and need specialists in criminology. 

• Forensic Departments: Forensic criminology detectives investigate the depth of crime, its causes, and criminal motivation in order to answer legal and investigative problems, whereas criminal justice attempts to research the breadth of illegal activity and its control through policing and punishments.
• Police: Police detectives collect evidence at crime scenes, review evidence, work with forensic analysts, and medical examiners, interview witnesses and victims, interrogate suspects and collaborate with crime scene investigators to learn more about crimes.
• CBI: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the premier investigating police agency in India. As a CBI officer, you will be needed to investigate and find evidence that will help solve criminal cases taken up by CBI.
• Crime Laboratories: Crime scene evidence is gathered, sorted, and processed by crime lab analysts. They employ this information to assist investigators in determining the techniques employed in crimes, the kinds of materials involved, and potential suspects.

Average Salary for Criminology Graduates (in India)

The leading recruiting firms and the typical salaries for some of the best opportunities available in this industry are listed below.

Top Recruiters for Criminology Graduates in India

With their level of expertise, criminologists can help in a wide range of fields and offer insightful advice. They can find employment in the public and commercial sectors, as well as occasionally in NGOs and other governmental organisations. Some of the best recruiters in the industry are listed below:

• CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation)
• ED (Enforcement Directorate)
• Central Police 
• State Police
• Maheshwari and Co. Law firm
• Dhir and Dhir Associates Law firm

Top Criminology Colleges for placements (in India)

How to get a Job after Criminology

A criminology and forensic science course are recommended for anyone interested in becoming a detective as it will help them hone their skills. One can also study law if they are more interested in expanding their knowledge and abilities.

• Complete 10+2: To pursue a career as a detective, students must successfully complete their 10+2 in any discipline, but ideally science, with an overall grade point average of 50% from an approved board. The following stages will cover how to become a detective in India.
• Qualify Entrance Examination: To determine admission, many schools and institutions hold entrance exams. In order to get admitted to the preferred college, candidates must take the entrance exam. There are numerous additional colleges and institutions that base admission on the 10+2 passing rate. In India, there are no courses specifically designed for studying inquiry, therefore one can pursue any degree of their choosing.
• Undergraduate course: After successfully completing the 10+2 programme, students must enrol in a bachelor's degree programme with criminology and forensics specialisations. In this area, common degrees include the BA and B.Sc.
• Postgraduate course: Candidates can enrol in a master's degree programme in a related specialisation without taking a break from their studies after successfully completing a bachelor's degree programme or taking the primary entrance exam held by the law enforcement agency.
• Make a Resume: A strong CV is typically the only thing standing between a job seeker and their ideal position. The greatest place to start is by expanding your skill set to fill in the gaps on your resume. Use your CV to its most potential because, according to statistics, employers only give it 5 seconds to create an impression.
• Create a network: Any professional who is starting their career is given the advice to "create a network" in order to connect with other professionals who have similar interests.

Top Indian Cities to get lucrative jobs after Criminology

The top Indian cities with the highest demand for criminology graduates in high-paying positions are listed below.

Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Surat

Life after Criminology

Criminologists propose explanations and ideas for why crimes happen and what motivates a criminal offender to behave by utilising their expertise and training in sociology and psychology. If you work in this field, you will look at more than just the evidence in specific instances; you will also take a larger view of criminal conduct. You might work as a profiler or consultant for criminal detectives, a social professional who works with criminal defendants, or a policymaker who wants to address the underlying causes of crime, depending on your workplace.

Students who are interested in pursuing careers in criminology can do so both domestically and abroad. A career in criminology can be something to consider if you have strong analytical abilities, a desire to work for social change, and are searching for a job that can be both fascinating and gratifying.