Criminology: Explaining Crime and Its Context, Seventh Edition, provides an introduction to crime and its underlying theories. It also seeks to present evidence and stimulate critical thought on a range of criminological perspectives.
The book is divided into three parts. Part I discusses the foundations for the study of criminology, exploring crime, its context, and its causes. It highlights three important issues: the relativity of crime, the prevalence of the scientific method in the field of criminology, and the influence of ideology on explanations of crime and on crime policy. Part II deals with criminological theory, covering deterrence and rational choice theories, biogenic and psychogenic theories, social structure theories, social process theories, social reaction theories, and developments in criminological theory. Part III explains the different forms of criminal activity, focusing on three types of crime: violent, economic, and victimless. Violent and economic crimes include "street crimes,” such as robbery, burglary, and rape, and widespread and harmful "white collar” crime. Offenses that can be classified as "victimless” are those where the parties engage in the criminal behavior voluntarily, such as prostitution and drug use.

• Comprehensive introductory text, emphasizing the ideology of crime.
• Boxes throughout each chapter highlight the text with figures, features and highlights.
• Each chapter concludes with key terms and concepts, key criminologists, key cases.