Share of the Environment in the Process of Crime Causation

Abstract

Attached

Most of the theories of criminology explain that the environment composed of various biological, psychological and sociological elements has a significant role to play in the causation of crimes. Genetic influences, mental disorders, social background composed of the family, school, peer group, workplace, community and society also come under them. Therefore in order to address the cause of a crime, reports of that particular crime should be studied carefully. In this light, the objective of this study is to identify how the environment contributes to the commitment of a crime. In order to gather qualitative data semi structured interviews were held with a sample of fifty (50) randomly selected police officers from Galle, Ahangama, Akmeemana and Kikkaduwa police stations. The secondary data were gathered from the records maintained at the above police stations relevant to the year 2015 on grave crime abstract for the year 2015, disposal of grave crime abstract for year 2015 and distribution of grave crime abstract for the year 2015. Research found that 40188 grave crimes were recorded in Sri Lankan context within the year 2015 and among them 992 were recorded from Galle Police Division. In the selected police stations there were 44 complaints which could be categorized on five (5) titles. Statutory rape, Property theft over 25000, cheating/Misappropriation criminal breach of trust over 300000, Robbery and House breaking were the common and highly recorded crimes for all police stations. Except Cheating/Misappropriation criminal breach of trust over 300000, other crimes occurred due to both built and natural environmental factors. Poor adaptation of security systems, lack of capable guardians, poor maintaining and similar structure of the houses were found to be the major causation factors of recorded crimes. The study recognized “Environment” as the main causation factor of crimes. Although the sociological, psychological and biological factors may help to create a person with imperfect, criminal incident is directly depending on the “environment”. Increasing the risk for the criminals by using environmental reforms could be identified as the perfect method of crime control and prevention.