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8 Dec 2025
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Introduction to Criminology: Unit 1 AC1.1 Overview
J
Jessica Blackhurst
@essicalackhurst_sbvp
1 / 8
White Collar Crime
White collar crime might sound boring, but it's actually one of the most costly types of crime in the world. These are non-violent offences committed by seemingly respectable people in business settings, purely for financial gain.
The most common types include computer fraud, internet scams, credit card fraud, and tax evasion. What makes these crimes particularly sneaky is that the offenders are usually people we'd naturally trust - high-status professionals, business leaders, or commercial employees who've built up solid reputations.
Victims are often individuals with disposable income, like recent retirees looking to invest their pension funds. Ponzi schemes are a classic example - fraudsters promise amazing returns with minimal risk, but they're actually just using new investors' money to pay earlier investors whilst pocketing the rest.
Remember: White collar crimes are both criminal (illegal) and deviant (against society's values), but they rarely make front-page news because they're not violent and the perpetrators seem so respectable.
Moral Crimes
Moral crimes are offences that clash directly with society's standards of right and wrong, even when there might not be a clear victim. Think prostitution, illegal gambling, underage drinking, vagrancy, and illegal drug use - activities that many people find morally objectionable.
Here's what makes moral crimes unique: they're often considered victimless crimes. In some cases, the person committing the crime is actually harming themselves more than anyone else. The offenders are frequently people in difficult situations rather than hardened criminals.
Public awareness of moral crimes tends to be quite low because these activities are usually hidden from family and friends. Society often chooses to look the other way, and when people do find out, they're more likely to feel sympathy than anger.
Key point: Most moral crimes are both criminal and deviant, but society's response is often to ignore rather than punish them.
State Crimes
State crimes represent some of the most serious offences imaginable - crimes committed by governments against their own people or others. We're talking about genocide, war crimes, torture, and imprisonment without trial, all carried out by or ordered by state agencies.
The victims are typically citizens who hold different political or religious views from those in power, or entire groups targeted for their ethnicity or beliefs. Historical examples include Nazi Germany during the Holocaust, Idi Amin's Uganda in the 1970s, and the ethnic cleansing in Bosnia during the early 1990s.
What sets state crimes apart is their extreme nature and high public awareness. When these crimes occur, they tend to make international headlines quickly because they're so shocking and devastating. The perpetrators are usually high-ranking government officials following orders from their country's regime.
Important: State crimes are always both criminal under international law and deviant by any moral standard, representing the ultimate abuse of governmental power.
Technological Crimes
Cybercrime is exploding as our lives become increasingly digital, and honestly, anyone with internet access could become a victim tomorrow. These crimes range from internet fraud and downloading illegal materials to using social media to promote hate crimes.
The scary thing about technological crimes is how accessible they've become. Offenders can be anyone with basic internet knowledge, and many operate from overseas, making them incredibly difficult to catch. The National Crime Agency has noticed a worrying trend of young adults getting involved in cybercrime.
Victims can be individuals or massive organisations, but criminals often target vulnerable people and businesses with weaker security systems. What's interesting is that whilst internet fraud is clearly seen as both criminal and deviant, things like downloading music illegally have become so common that many people don't even view it as a real crime.
Reality check: Your personal data and financial information are constantly at risk online, making digital literacy and cybersecurity awareness absolutely essential life skills.
Hate Crimes
Hate crimes are standard offences made worse by prejudice and bias, targeting people based on their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or transgender status. If someone gets assaulted because of who they are, that assault becomes a hate crime with much harsher penalties.
The victims span all five protected categories, like Adam Pearson, who has faced disability-related hate crimes due to neurofibromatosis, which causes benign tumours on his face. Offenders typically hold strong prejudices and often come from traditional backgrounds that clash with their victims' identities.
Historical examples include the Charleston church shooting, where white supremacist Dylann Roof murdered nine people at one of America's oldest black churches. Public awareness has increased dramatically thanks to social media coverage and stronger laws like the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001.
Legal fact: Religious aggravation can double prison sentences - a simple assault jumps from six months to two years when motivated by religious hatred.
Honour Crimes
Honour crimes are brutal punishments inflicted by families on their own members for supposedly bringing shame upon the family name. These horrific acts include acid attacks, abductions, beatings, and even murder, justified as restoring family honour.
The victims are overwhelmingly young females in Asian communities who've rejected strict traditional lifestyles. The tragic case of Shafilea Ahmed illustrates this perfectly - her parents suffocated her with a plastic bag because she refused to follow their strict Pakistani cultural expectations.
Perpetrators are typically dominant males within the family - fathers, brothers, or uncles from Asian communities who believe they have the right to control female family members' behaviour. Public awareness remains dangerously low because these crimes often aren't reported to police within communities that view them as culturally acceptable.
Crucial understanding: Whilst honour crimes might be culturally accepted in some communities, they are absolutely both criminal and deviant under UK law, regardless of cultural justification.
Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse happens behind closed doors, making it one of the most hidden and underreported crimes in society. This includes physical assault, murder, torture, verbal abuse, emotional manipulation, and controlling behaviour between partners or family members.
Women are the primary victims, though men also suffer domestic violence but report it far less frequently. The heartbreaking case of Clare Wood shows how dangerous this can be - she was raped, strangled, and burned by George Appleton, a man she met online who had a violent history she knew nothing about.
Offenders are predominantly male and go to extraordinary lengths to keep their abuse secret from the outside world. They often isolate their victims and use fear to prevent them from speaking out or seeking help.
Sobering reality: Public awareness remains low because victims rarely report these crimes due to fear, and society tends to ignore domestic violence rather than confront it directly.
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Paul T
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Introduction to Criminology: Unit 1 AC1.1 Overview
J
Jessica Blackhurst
@essicalackhurst_sbvp
Ever wondered why some crimes grab headlines whilst others fly under the radar? Different types of crime affect society in vastly different ways, from the hidden world of white-collar fraud to the devastating impact of state-sponsored violence.
White Collar Crime
White collar crime might sound boring, but it's actually one of the most costly types of crime in the world. These are non-violent offences committed by seemingly respectable people in business settings, purely for financial gain.
The most common types include computer fraud, internet scams, credit card fraud, and tax evasion. What makes these crimes particularly sneaky is that the offenders are usually people we'd naturally trust - high-status professionals, business leaders, or commercial employees who've built up solid reputations.
Victims are often individuals with disposable income, like recent retirees looking to invest their pension funds. Ponzi schemes are a classic example - fraudsters promise amazing returns with minimal risk, but they're actually just using new investors' money to pay earlier investors whilst pocketing the rest.
Remember: White collar crimes are both criminal (illegal) and deviant (against society's values), but they rarely make front-page news because they're not violent and the perpetrators seem so respectable.
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Moral Crimes
Moral crimes are offences that clash directly with society's standards of right and wrong, even when there might not be a clear victim. Think prostitution, illegal gambling, underage drinking, vagrancy, and illegal drug use - activities that many people find morally objectionable.
Here's what makes moral crimes unique: they're often considered victimless crimes. In some cases, the person committing the crime is actually harming themselves more than anyone else. The offenders are frequently people in difficult situations rather than hardened criminals.
Public awareness of moral crimes tends to be quite low because these activities are usually hidden from family and friends. Society often chooses to look the other way, and when people do find out, they're more likely to feel sympathy than anger.
Key point: Most moral crimes are both criminal and deviant, but society's response is often to ignore rather than punish them.
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State Crimes
State crimes represent some of the most serious offences imaginable - crimes committed by governments against their own people or others. We're talking about genocide, war crimes, torture, and imprisonment without trial, all carried out by or ordered by state agencies.
The victims are typically citizens who hold different political or religious views from those in power, or entire groups targeted for their ethnicity or beliefs. Historical examples include Nazi Germany during the Holocaust, Idi Amin's Uganda in the 1970s, and the ethnic cleansing in Bosnia during the early 1990s.
What sets state crimes apart is their extreme nature and high public awareness. When these crimes occur, they tend to make international headlines quickly because they're so shocking and devastating. The perpetrators are usually high-ranking government officials following orders from their country's regime.
Important: State crimes are always both criminal under international law and deviant by any moral standard, representing the ultimate abuse of governmental power.
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Technological Crimes
Cybercrime is exploding as our lives become increasingly digital, and honestly, anyone with internet access could become a victim tomorrow. These crimes range from internet fraud and downloading illegal materials to using social media to promote hate crimes.
The scary thing about technological crimes is how accessible they've become. Offenders can be anyone with basic internet knowledge, and many operate from overseas, making them incredibly difficult to catch. The National Crime Agency has noticed a worrying trend of young adults getting involved in cybercrime.
Victims can be individuals or massive organisations, but criminals often target vulnerable people and businesses with weaker security systems. What's interesting is that whilst internet fraud is clearly seen as both criminal and deviant, things like downloading music illegally have become so common that many people don't even view it as a real crime.
Reality check: Your personal data and financial information are constantly at risk online, making digital literacy and cybersecurity awareness absolutely essential life skills.
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Hate Crimes
Hate crimes are standard offences made worse by prejudice and bias, targeting people based on their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or transgender status. If someone gets assaulted because of who they are, that assault becomes a hate crime with much harsher penalties.
The victims span all five protected categories, like Adam Pearson, who has faced disability-related hate crimes due to neurofibromatosis, which causes benign tumours on his face. Offenders typically hold strong prejudices and often come from traditional backgrounds that clash with their victims' identities.
Historical examples include the Charleston church shooting, where white supremacist Dylann Roof murdered nine people at one of America's oldest black churches. Public awareness has increased dramatically thanks to social media coverage and stronger laws like the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001.
Legal fact: Religious aggravation can double prison sentences - a simple assault jumps from six months to two years when motivated by religious hatred.
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Honour Crimes
Honour crimes are brutal punishments inflicted by families on their own members for supposedly bringing shame upon the family name. These horrific acts include acid attacks, abductions, beatings, and even murder, justified as restoring family honour.
The victims are overwhelmingly young females in Asian communities who've rejected strict traditional lifestyles. The tragic case of Shafilea Ahmed illustrates this perfectly - her parents suffocated her with a plastic bag because she refused to follow their strict Pakistani cultural expectations.
Perpetrators are typically dominant males within the family - fathers, brothers, or uncles from Asian communities who believe they have the right to control female family members' behaviour. Public awareness remains dangerously low because these crimes often aren't reported to police within communities that view them as culturally acceptable.
Crucial understanding: Whilst honour crimes might be culturally accepted in some communities, they are absolutely both criminal and deviant under UK law, regardless of cultural justification.
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Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse happens behind closed doors, making it one of the most hidden and underreported crimes in society. This includes physical assault, murder, torture, verbal abuse, emotional manipulation, and controlling behaviour between partners or family members.
Women are the primary victims, though men also suffer domestic violence but report it far less frequently. The heartbreaking case of Clare Wood shows how dangerous this can be - she was raped, strangled, and burned by George Appleton, a man she met online who had a violent history she knew nothing about.
Offenders are predominantly male and go to extraordinary lengths to keep their abuse secret from the outside world. They often isolate their victims and use fear to prevent them from speaking out or seeking help.
Sobering reality: Public awareness remains low because victims rarely report these crimes due to fear, and society tends to ignore domestic violence rather than confront it directly.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user