There are opposing views on establishing what results or prompts criminology behaviour in society. For instance, it is believed that the system of capitalism was to blame rather than individuals, explaining that the system is built to compel people to exploit those less fortunate. But the position of these individuals sometimes results in the ability to avert justice, linking to inequity within criminal justice. The nature of the crime and the victim can influence whether the behaviour is deemed criminal. For instance, a 1995 study emphasise the point that women who are sex working are sometimes treated as those who deserve the violence they experience. There seems to be a fundamental belief that due to these women selling sex, they are open territory for assault and sexual violence. Therefore, again prompts the idea of whether particular victims seem discredited or the criminal behaviour deemed not need punishment due to who the victim is.

One of the issues with defining different forms of crime is how the law changes over time due to the social movement and how labelling can be damaging. For instance, the Jim Crow laws were introduced and remained in focus in the US until 1968, enforcing segregation. As well as differences across countries; for instance, Marijuana is decriminalised under some restrictions in some parts of the world, such as Amsterdam, meanwhile illegal in the United Kingdom. 

The focal point on the individual’s background could influence how behaviour is criminalised. A number of the theories associated with criminology focus on those growing up with poorer backgrounds or from certain ethnicities, promoting the labelling theory. Creating a problematic social issue, as certain types of crimes become typically associated with a particular individual. For instance, the Chicago School theory, which explains, that the zone of transition, which is the outer zones of the cities, is more likely to be a poorer community and is more prone to higher crime rates. Due to the lack of opportunities for employment and a stable environment. As the areas tend to have high numbers of stores closed and families living on lower wages, which can encourage survival crimes to occur. Therefore arguably, there is likely to be more criminalisation in those areas. 

The views on criminalising behaviour are associated with a political, and in some cases, a right realism view. For instance, Murray concluded in the late 1980s that the UK was developing an underclass whereby people were engaging in criminal behaviour, had unstable homes and were associated with drugs and alcohol usage. Although there are arguments against Murray’s viewpoint on those who choose not to work and engage in criminal behaviour, this stereotypical viewpoint is still embedded into today’s society. The phrase deviant often was associated with these individuals due to the right realism view. Also linking to the negative association of crime with these individuals. 

Many theories associated with criminal behaviour focus on those living in lower economic areas or are deemed working class as the only ones committing crimes are these individuals. One of the perceptions from the theories mentioned above is that the association of poverty, welfare or difficulties within society can result in crime. But with society’s globalisation and the increasing transnational crime, typically not conducted by those living in lower economic environments, it is difficult to conclude where and how to define behavioural criminology. Theories focusing on criminology and criminal behaviours focus heavily on the idea that growing up in an area with poverty association, linked to the broken window theory, could encourage violence or crime. 

The different views also factor in who the victim is, not only the crime or the criminal and how this is responded to. This also links back to the social injustice and views of others. Linking back to the Jim Crow point mentioned earlier, about the lasting impact of labelling. As explained in a London case study young black boys are more likely to be searched and targeted by police than their white counterparts. Resulting in them overrepresented and experience disadvantages when associated with the criminal justice system.

Natalie Quinn-Walker is a lecturer in public health and deputy course lead at Birmingham City South Campus – Seacole.