In Episode 13 of Inside Criminology, we turn our focus to Chapter 13 of Larry J. Siegel’s Criminology, where we explore the controversial and often politically charged topic of public order crimes—offenses that violate shared norms of morality rather than harm individuals directly.

In Episode 12 of Inside Criminology, we delve into Chapter 12 of Larry J. Siegel’s Criminology, spotlighting the world of enterprise crime—offenses that exploit business operations, technology, or structured criminal organizations for profit.

This episode breaks down three major categories:

White-Collar Crime: Crimes committed by people in positions of trust and authority, including fraud, embezzlement, and insider trading. We explore how greed, corporate culture, and rationalization fuel these offenses.

Cyber Crime: From identity theft to hacking and online scams, we examine how criminals use technology to exploit victims and evade detection in the digital age.

Organized Crime: Structured groups engaging in drug trafficking, illegal gambling, prostitution, and more. We explore their networks, recruitment strategies, and the complex global nature of their operations.

Real-world examples like Enron and BCCI bring these crimes into focus, illustrating the devastating financial and social consequences of unchecked enterprise crime.

We also review law enforcement strategies—from regulatory compliance to deterrence—and discuss the challenges of holding powerful offenders accountable in both corporate and criminal justice systems.

In Episode 11 of Inside Criminology, we unpack Chapter 11 of Larry J. Siegel’s Criminology, focusing on the world of property crimes—acts that violate ownership without direct violence.

We begin with a look at how various criminological theories—including Classical, Marxist/Conflict, Positivist, Multifactor, and Sociological approaches—attempt to explain why individuals commit economic crimes.

Then we dive into the three major categories of property crime:

Larceny/Theft: From shoplifting to auto theft, we explore the distinction between occasional and professional offenders and the motives that drive them.

Burglary: We examine how burglars select residential vs. commercial targets, the routines they follow, and what makes a so-called “good burglar.”

Arson: This section covers juvenile fire-setters, professional arsonists, and the various motives behind intentional property destruction by fire.

Throughout the episode, we emphasize the socioeconomic and psychological factors contributing to these crimes and highlight the challenges involved in preventing, detecting, and prosecuting property offenders.

In Episode 10 of Inside Criminology, we dive into Chapter 10 of Larry J. Siegel’s Criminology, focusing on one of the most disturbing and complex areas in the field — violent crime.

We begin with an overview of key criminological theories that attempt to explain the roots of violence, from Classical rational choice models to psychological and sociological explanations involving personality traits, socialization, and environmental factors.

This episode also breaks down the major types of violent offenses:

Rape

Murder

Assault

Robbery

Each is examined in terms of its nature, extent, and underlying causes, supported by contemporary research and real-world examples.

Beyond traditional violent crimes, we explore emerging forms of interpersonal violence:

Hate crimes

Workplace violence

Stalking

We conclude with an in-depth discussion on terrorism, tracing its history, exploring various motivations and ideologies, and evaluating policy responses aimed at prevention and control.

In Episode 9 of Inside Criminology, we delve into Chapter 9 of Criminology by Larry J. Siegel, focusing on Developmental Criminology — a perspective that explores how criminal behavior evolves across the life course.

This episode introduces foundational theories like Classical, Marxist/Conflict, and Positivist approaches before transitioning to the dynamic world of Life Course and Latent Trait theories. We unpack key concepts such as early onset, Problem Behavior Syndrome, and criminal career pathways, showing how personal traits and social experiences interact over time.

We also explore a suite of influential models:

• Sampson and Laub’s Age-Graded Theory
• Gottfredson and Hirschi’s General Theory of Crime
• Agnew’s General Theory of Crime and Delinquency
• Farrington’s ICAP Theory
• Interactional Theory
• Differential Coercion Theory
• Control Balance Theory

These models collectively argue that turning points, such as marriage, employment, or military service, can alter criminal trajectories, while persistent traits and social environments can sustain them.

In Episode 8 of Inside Criminology, we explore Chapter 8 of Criminology by Larry J. Siegel, diving into the Social Conflict Theories that challenge the foundations of traditional criminal justice.

This episode begins by revisiting Classical Theory, which frames crime as a rational choice, and the Positivist Theory, which attributes crime to biological and psychological traits. We then shift focus to the heart of the discussion — Social Conflict Theories — including Marxist and Critical Criminology, which examine how inequality, capitalism, and institutional power influence both crime and the justice system.

We also introduce emerging perspectives such as Left Realism, Critical Feminist Theory, and Peacemaking Criminology, which advocate for a more inclusive, equitable understanding of crime.

To conclude, we unpack the transformative concept of Restorative Justice — a philosophy that prioritizes healing over punishment, and promotes accountability, community involvement, and reparation.

In Episode 7 of Inside Criminology, we turn to Chapter 7 of Larry J. Siegel’s Criminology, diving deep into Social Process Theories — frameworks that examine how people become criminals through socialization, relationships, and institutional influences.
We explore three major perspectives:
Social Learning Theory – crime is learned through interaction with others.
Social Control Theory – strong bonds to family, school, and society keep individuals law-abiding.
Social Reaction (Labeling) Theory – how being labeled a “criminal” can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy.
This episode also highlights real-world applications, including prevention and intervention strategies like early childhood education programs and juvenile diversion initiatives. We’ll discuss how understanding the social roots of crime can inform smarter policies and more effective crime prevention.

In Episode 6 of Inside Criminology, we focus on Chapter 6 of Larry J. Siegel’s Criminology, where we explore how social structure and community environments shape criminal behavior.

This episode delves into Social Structure Theories, which argue that crime is not just an individual act but a product of broader societal forces. We discuss Social Disorganization Theory, examining how urban decay, poverty concentration, unemployment, and the breakdown of social institutions contribute to elevated crime rates in certain communities.

We also introduce the concept of collective efficacy — the shared belief in a community’s ability to maintain order — and how strong social cohesion and informal social control can serve as powerful tools in crime prevention.

Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of how neighborhoods, inequality, and systemic disadvantage influence criminal behavior, and how policy responses can be informed by these structural insights.