Criminal Terminology

produced in India in 250 B . C . Some fundamental ancient laws still form part of the rules we live by today—for example, the Fifth Commandment, “Thou shalt not kill.” What Is a Crime? The term “crime” has been defined in many different ways. Some books describe it simply as anything that is against the law. Others explain it as something that is against the law and that harms or injures another person or society as a whole. Other writers say it is something we are not allowed to do within our society. Some say it is actions that are harmful to society. Some crimes are the sort of thing that harms an individual, such as hitting a person. Others are crimes that harm society as a whole, such as cheating on your income tax return.

Criminal law covers all crimes against people and, by extension, society. Because we do not want to live in a lawless society in which might is right, every wrong against one per- son is treated as a wrong against everyone in society. People do not have to defend themselves, because they have the police and the law on their side. Crimes against society include murder, theft, assault, embezzlement , abuse, and arson .

An artist’s impression published in the Penny Illustrated Paper of police discovering two more victims of Jack the Ripper in London’s East End on September 30, 1888.

10

CRIMINAL TERMINOLOGY