Criminologists belong to the field of criminology, the scientific study of crime, criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system. They are not like the police or other investigators. Instead, they analyze and research various parts of crimes such as the crime scenes, the motivations of offenders, the impact of laws and policies, and societal responses to criminal behavior. The purpose of engaging in all the activities mentioned is to understand and address the social and psychological factors 

Who is a Criminologist? 

A professional who is involved in the study of crime, its causes, and its effects is called a criminologist. They dig into how a crime was perpetrated, examine the validity of the crime, and carry out several research and investigations on why the crime happened. They greatly and positively contribute to the management of criminal activities in the society. For example, if the case of rape has been happening consistently in a certain area or jurisdiction, criminologists may have to collect data related to these incidents and analyze them to identify the trends, patterns, and potential spots where the rape cases are concentrated. Also, criminologists may work with law enforcement agencies to create profiles of potential perpetrators based on available evidence and behavioral analysis. 

How to be a Criminologist

To become a criminologist, you have to study criminology at a university. Criminology is a four-year course in the faculty/school of social sciences of any university. The requirements to gain admission into the university to study criminology include: 

• 5 O'level credit passes in English, Mathematics, Economics, and any other 2 social science subjects. 

• Candidates must score over 200 in JAMB (a combination of 3 social science subjects). 

If you tick all of these boxes, you can gain admission into the university to earn a criminology degree. 

What can I do with a Criminology Degree? 

With a criminology degree, you can decide to start a non-profit organization that is focused on criminal justice and advocates for different types of victims. It could be victims of rape, abuse, and other type of crimes. You can also be part of a non-profit organization like the United Nations that helps people to stand for their rights and combat all forms of unjust. 

Also, you can start a consulting brand or be part of one. You can offer your expertise in crime analysis, risk assessment, and policy development. If you like, with your criminology degree, you can also be spurred to transition to cybersecurity as you can leverage your transferable skills and this can fully bring you into the field of technology. 

Salary of a Criminologist in Nigeria

According to My Salary Scale, the average monthly salary of a criminologist in Nigeria is about N90,000. This figure can vary from one organization to another. Also, it is important to know that the level of expertise of an individual can influence their remuneration. 

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