Criminologist Job Description

What is the job description of a Criminologist? What are the duties and responsibilities of a Criminologist? What does a Criminologist do?

Job description of a Criminologist

Criminologists research and study the social and biological background of criminals to determine common traits, and assist law enforcement to better understand criminal behavior and prevent future crimes.

This Criminologist job description example includes the list of most important Criminologist duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Criminologist profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Criminologist Duties and Responsibilities

Criminologist job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Gather and analyze data about the causes and nature of crime to determine criminal patterns and common traits among criminals.
  • Research and analyze the biological, social, and psychological background of criminals to gain an understanding of the motivation behind their deviant behavior.
  • Prepare reports and statistics of research findings for future reference.
  • Assist law enforcement and the justice system with developing crime prevention strategies and reform policies based on findings.
  • Assess the social impact of crime and determine how to address these issues.
  • Develop profiles of criminal types to assist law enforcement to identify potential criminals, understand their behavior, and apprehend them more efficiently.
  • Examine crime scenes, evidence, and autopsies to determine what happened and which profile category the criminal falls into.

Criminologist Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Criminologist job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Criminology, Sociology, or related field.
  • Master's Degree or postgraduate qualification may be preferred.
  • Critical thinking ability and detail-oriented.
  • Computer skills and knowledge of relevant software.
  • Licensure may be required.
  • Excellent research and communication skills.

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Criminologist starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Criminologist job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of a Criminologist may also reference it in preparation for the interview.