Hi, my name is Sasha, and I am studying psychology at College Ahuntsic. At the end of the summer, I will enter university in Criminology. I created this glossary to help future students in criminology in their future field of study. Criminology is a discipline that studies crime, criminal behavior, and the systems designed to prevent and respond to crime. It includes various fields of study such as sociology, psychology, law, anthropology, and criminal justice.
alibi
noun
A story given to explain that one was not near the location of a crime.
Example: She made up an alibi for why she missed the meeting.
en: alibi
arrest
verb
To take someone into custody legally.
Example: The police arrested him on drug charges.
en: arrêter
burglary
noun
To steal or break into a home or car, etc.
Example: He has been charged with attempted burglary.
en: cambriolage
crime
noun
An action or omission that constitutes an offense that may be prosecuted by the state and is punishable by law.
Example: That could partly reflect the small drop in crime the city saw last year.
en: crime
death penalty
noun
The punishment of execution. Also called Capital Punishment.
Example: This influence was brought up at sentencing by Clarence Darrow, the pair’s legendary defense attorney, whose hours-long closing argument was considered key to avoiding the death penalty.
en: peine de mort
fraud
noun
A deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
Example: He was found guilty of bank fraud.
en: fraude
illegal
adjective
Against the law, criminal.
Example: Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.
en: illégal
innocent
adjective
Not being guilty of a crime.
Example: He says that he is innocent of the crime.
en: innocent
investigate
verb
To look deeper into a matter and gather information about what happened.
Example: The police are still investigating the murder.
en: investiguer
kidnapping
noun
To take a person away illegally by force, usually in order to demand money in exchange for releasing them.
Example: The wife of a businessman was kidnapped from her home in London last night.
en: kidnapping
law
noun
The system of rules which a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and which it may enforce by the imposition of penalties.
Example: They were taken to court for breaking the law.
en: loi
lawyer
noun
Someone who practices or studies law.
Example: His attorneys from that time — Francis has churned through lawyers over the years — did not respond Friday to the Union-Tribune’s request for comment.
en: avocat
murderer
noun
An individual who unlawfully kills another person; this is a serious crime with severe penalties.
Example: The murderer was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
en: tueur
offense
noun
A breach of law/illegal act.
Example: He was found guilty and fined $250 for each offense.
en: infraction
prison
noun
A building where people are legally held as a punishment for a crime they have committed or while awaiting trial.
Example: He was in prison at the time.
en: prison
probation
noun
The release of an offender from detention, subject to a period of good behavior under supervision.
Example: He was sentenced to one year's probation.
en: probation
sentence
noun
Length of time a prisoner is imprisoned.
Example: He is serving a 10-year sentence for armed robbery.
en: sentence
terrorist
noun
A person who uses unlawful violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.
Example: Ultimately, the foundation’s leaders went to prison for supporting terrorists, and a federal judge later found both groups responsible for funding Hamas.
en: Terroriste
trial
noun
A formal examination of evidence before a judge and/or jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.
Example: He testified at the trial.
en: procès
weapon
Something designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage.
Example: The pitcher's slider is his most effective weapon.