Introduction to Criminology & Board Exam Matters (Free Criminology Board Exam Reviewer)

Criminology: Understanding Crime and Criminal Behavior

Overview of Criminology

• The study of crime, criminals, and victims is essential for understanding the Philippine Criminal Justice System's efforts in crime prevention and resolution.

• Emphasizes that preventing crime is more effective than addressing it after it occurs; criminologists are expected to provide solutions to criminal issues.

Historical Context

• Rafael Garofalo, an Italian law professor, coined the term "criminology" in 1885, marking a significant development in the field.

• Paul Topinard, a French anthropologist, introduced the term "criminology" in 1889; both figures contributed foundational concepts to criminological studies.

Principal Divisions of Criminology

Key Areas of Study

• The three principal divisions of criminology can be remembered with the acronym ESP:

• Etiology of crimes: Scientific analysis of crime causes and criminal behavior.

• Sociology of laws: Investigates the nature and administration of criminal law.

• Penology: Focuses on crime control and rehabilitation methods for offenders.

Etiology of Crimes

• Explores various reasons behind criminal behavior; factors may include socio-economic conditions or personal motivations like jealousy leading to crimes such as theft or violence.

Sociology of Laws

• Examines how laws are structured and enforced within society; highlights the importance of understanding legal frameworks as part of criminological education.

Penology

Criminology: Science or Art?

Nature of Criminology

• The principal divisions of criminology include theology of crimes, sociology of gloss, and penology. The discussion aims to explore the nature of criminology as both a science and an art.

• Science is defined as a systematized body of knowledge. This foundational definition emphasizes that science is structured and organized, which is crucial for understanding its application in criminology.

Understanding Science and Art

• The speaker highlights that all scientific principles are subject to change based on societal context, using examples like laser technology to illustrate this point.

• Art involves skill and imagination in creating aesthetic experiences. Examples include music and dance, emphasizing the subjective nature of artistic expression.

Examples of Art in Society

• Music is presented as a universal form of art found in various Filipino communities, showcasing local talent during gatherings.

• Teaching itself is described as an art form where educators use creativity and imagination to engage students effectively.

Criminology's Classification Debate

• George Wilker argues that criminology cannot be classified strictly as a science due to its lack of universal validity; it varies significantly across different cultures (e.g., marriage laws).

• In the Philippines, legal norms around marriage differ from those in Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, illustrating how cultural contexts influence criminological perspectives.

Future Perspectives on Criminology

• Edwin Sutherland expresses hope for criminology's evolution into a recognized science due to commonalities in crime causes across societies.

• Sutherland believes that while currently viewed as an art form due to its contextual variability, there may be potential for standardization in the future.

Dynamic Nature of Criminology

• Criminology is characterized as dynamic; it evolves with changing social conditions. This adaptability reflects how crime definitions can shift over time based on societal norms.

Juvenile Justice and Criminology Insights

Overview of Juvenile Justice Act

• The Republic Act 964, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, raises the age of criminal irresponsibility from nine to fifteen years old.

• Individuals under this age are exempt from criminal liability, highlighting a significant shift in how juvenile offenders are treated within the legal system.

Forensic Photography Techniques

• A discussion on forensic photography emphasizes manual development processes in dark rooms, contrasting with modern digital methods.

• The ease of developing photographs today is likened to using a printer at home, showcasing advancements in technology that simplify forensic practices.

Criminology as a Dynamic Science

• Criminology is described as an applied science that evolves based on social conditions and positions. It integrates various disciplines such as psychology and anthropology into crime studies.

• Different branches of criminalistics like forensic chemistry and toxicology play crucial roles in scientific crime detection. This interdisciplinary approach enhances understanding of criminal behavior.

Applied Sciences in Criminalistics

• The field includes specialized areas such as handwriting analysis and signature verification, which are essential for validating documents in legal contexts. Understanding these sciences aids in identifying authenticity during investigations.

• Document examiners utilize their training and experience to assess signatures against known standards, emphasizing the importance of expertise in criminological practices.

Nationalism in Criminology

• The study of criminology must consider national laws since what constitutes a crime varies by country; for example, spitting is illegal in Singapore but not necessarily so in the Philippines. This highlights territoriality within legal frameworks.

• Crime is viewed through a social science lens because it arises from societal interactions; thus, criminology seeks to understand its roots within cultural contexts across different nations.

Historical Perspectives on Criminality

• Cesare Lombroso's theory posited that criminal behavior could be inherited (hereditary predisposition), suggesting biological factors influence criminality until environmental factors gained prominence around 1915. This shift reflects evolving theories about crime causation over time.

History of Criminology Education in the Philippines

Establishment of Criminology Programs

• The Philippine College of Criminology (BCCR), originally Laredal Educational Institution, was established in 1954, marking the beginning of criminology education in the Philippines.

• Founders included notable figures such as Manila Major Police L.C.O. Vivore, Dr. Pedro Solis from the National Bureau of Investigation, and Supreme Court Associate Justice Felix Ang Gelogautista.

Growth and Development

• By 1970, Laredal Educational Institution transitioned to BCCR; during this period, several other universities began offering criminology programs across the country.

• As of now, there are nearly 600 criminology schools in the Philippines, making it a leading nation in Asia for criminology education with a high demand for police officers and related professions.

Legislative Milestones

• On July 1972, Republic Act No. 65-06 was enacted to create a board of examiners for criminologists in the Philippines. This marked a significant step in formalizing criminology as an academic discipline.

• The implementation of this act faced delays due to martial law declared by President Ferdinand Marcos on September 21, 1972; consequently, board examinations were postponed until 1980.

Examination Framework

• The first board examination for criminologists occurred around 1988 despite being legislated earlier; this delay highlighted challenges within educational governance during that era.

• The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) oversees these examinations to ensure standards are maintained within the profession and regulate entry into practice based on national average passing rates which hover around 30%.

Evolution of Board Examiners

• In 1987, a new board composed of Dr. O.D. Delaion as chairman and other members was established to oversee examinations and set educational standards for future criminologists. This development came after significant political changes post-martial law era under President Corazon Aquino's administration.

Overview of R.A. 111-31 and Board Exam Structure

Introduction to R.A. 111-31

• The discussion begins with an overview of the recent webinars related to R.A. 111-31, emphasizing the importance of staying updated on new regulations affecting criminology board exams.

Breakdown of Board Exam Subjects

First Day Morning Session

• The first subject is Criminal Law and Jurisprudence, which constitutes 20% of the total score in the board exam.

• This section includes topics such as Criminal Law I, Criminal Law II, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, and Court Testimony.

Afternoon Session

• The second subject covered is Law Enforcement Administration, also accounting for another 20% of the overall score.

Subject Areas Covered

• Additional subjects include Police Organization and Administration, Industrial Security Management, Police Patrol Operations, Communication Systems, Intelligence, Personnel Records Management, and Comparative Police Systems.

Scoring Overview

Total Score Composition

• By the end of the first day’s morning session alone (40% total), students should focus heavily on these foundational subjects.

Second Day Morning Session

• The second day starts with Criminalistics (20%), covering Personal Identification, Forensic Photography, Forensic Ballistics among others.

Afternoon Session Topics

• In the afternoon session on Day Two (15%), Sociology of Crimes and Ethics are examined alongside various criminological concepts like juvenile delinquency and crime prevention.

Final Examination Components

Last Day Subjects

• On the final day’s morning session (10%), Institutional Corrections and Non-Institutional Corrections are assessed.

Definitions Relevant to Criminology

Key Concepts Explained

• Criminology is defined as a scientific study encompassing crimes and their prevention.

Related Fields

• Penology focuses on crime control methods and rehabilitation processes for offenders.

Qualifications for Taking the Board Exam

Eligibility Criteria Under R.A. 1131

Basic Requirements

• Candidates must be citizens or foreign nationals from countries that have agreements with the Philippines regarding criminology practice.

Good Moral Character Requirement

• Applicants must demonstrate good moral character certified by their educational institution or local authorities unless they are foreign nationals who can provide equivalent certification.

Reciprocity Principle in Practice

International Considerations

• Emphasizes that foreign candidates should receive treatment similar to Filipino applicants when taking exams abroad under mutual agreements between nations.

Good Moral Character Certification and Related Discussions

Understanding Good Moral Character Certification

• The discussion begins with the importance of good moral character certification under section 40, emphasizing its necessity for certain professional certifications.

• There are challenges in obtaining a good moral certificate, as some individuals may not have access to it or may face difficulties in acquiring it from their respective schools.

• Employers often require verification through the PRC website, highlighting the need for proper documentation from educational institutions regarding good moral character.

Educational Requirements and Recognition

• A bachelor's degree in criminology must be accredited by relevant authorities to be recognized for licensure exams; this applies to both Filipino and foreign degrees.

• The speaker poses a scenario about studying criminology at a university in Malaysia and questions whether that education is valid for taking licensure exams in the Philippines.

Licensure Examination Eligibility

• Graduates from foreign universities can take the licensure exam if their degrees are recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the Philippines.

• Specific standards are mentioned regarding diploma requirements, including necessary features like size and format for submission during applications.

Impact of COVID-19 on Examinations

• The conversation shifts to how COVID-19 has affected various professional examinations, noting changes due to health regulations and restrictions.

• Updates from July 29, 2020, indicate ongoing challenges with COVID cases affecting examination schedules across different professions.

Examination Schedule Changes Due to Pandemic

• Important announcements detail how community quarantine measures impacted scheduled board examinations starting March 15, 2020.

• Specific dates for licensure examinations are provided, indicating which were postponed or canceled due to pandemic-related restrictions.

Future Examination Schedules

• Further details reveal rescheduling of medical technologist exams and other professional teacher examinations originally set for March but postponed due to COVID concerns.

Licensure Examinations Schedule Overview

September Examination Details

• The schedule for various licensure examinations includes registered electrical engineers on September 1 and 2, followed by registered master electricians on September 4 and 5.

• Notably, there are two exceptions in September: the qualifying assessment for medical professions on September 19, and part two of the physician examination on September 20 and 21.

• The interagency task force (IATF) approved these assessments to assist new doctors amid rising COVID cases, indicating a response to public health needs.

October Examination Insights

• In October, licensure examinations will be held for chemical engineers, naval architects, marine engineers, metallurgical engineers, certified public accountants, optometrists (written), and practical aspects of pharmacology.

November Examination Highlights

• The November schedule includes exams for customs brokers, midwives, agriculturalists, civil engineers, aeronautical engineers, geodetic engineers, nurses, and criminologists.

December Examination Summary

• December's licensure examinations feature dentists (both written and practical), real estate consultants (written), dental technologies (practical), and pharmacists.

Preparation for Upcoming Exams