¶ … theory development as the chapter title notes, but it gave me more than that. Chapter two opened up my eyes to statistics, and this chapter opened up my eyes to what the author calls the "fundamental assumptions of criminal theory." We read about crime, statistics, and criminals, but far less often we read about the real, fundamental causes of crime, except when they are sensational, as the "devil made me do it" theory the author explores, or insanity. Most everyday crimes have far different causes, and this chapter helped spell them out and make them more understandable. I learned more about the science of crime, which blends with the statistical analysis of crime, and about always asking "why" when it comes to crime.
I also learned how important theories are to crime statistics and understanding, but that theories must always be tested to be proved true. Theories are the foundations that crime research and solving are built upon, but theories must be scientific, not conjecture. Research is all important in criminology, and this...
A lot of television shows are now about solving crimes, but they do not show the real world of crime solving, research, and methods. The crimes are all solved by the end of the show, but that is not what happens when you deal with real crimes, real people, and real motives.
It surprised me to read about the "spatial patterns" of crime, and how researchers are using these patterns to help solve crimes committed by serial criminals. It is quite surprising to learn that criminals can be so predictable; it would seem they would go to greater lengths not to get caught, even though it seems at least some of them want to get caught. Even more surprising is how geography plays a part in these patterns. Modern criminology is much different than early criminology because there are so…
