Theory Development as the Chapter Title Notes,

¶ … 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 chapter brought out the real importance of research and ultimately understanding that research.

I knew a little of this information, but reading this chapter really brought home to me how much I really do not know about the real solving of crimes. 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 many more tools available to the crime researcher, such as DNA studies and research like spatial patterns. It is clear that many more research methods will come in the future, making crimes more solvable, and hopefully reducing crime in the world. It was also surprising to learn that values and ethics play a part in crime research, it at first seemed that those would be two things the farthest removed from committing crimes.

The information in this chapter affected how I look at criminology and how to solve crimes. I know there are many new ways to determine crime research and methods, from data analysis to developing new ways of looking at crime -- even immersion in the lifestyles of people who commit some of the most violent crimes -- such as gang members. It also affected how I look at the people who solve crimes, and at the work they really do. Television does not show the half of it, but this chapter gave me an appreciation of just how dedicated, educated, and determined they are to find new ways of solving and preventing crime. Part of me recognized that criminology was a social science, but I probably would not have put that into words before I read this chapter. Now I have a deeper understanding of why that is so, and how crime and society are so intertwined.