Crime is behavior that violates public order and is subject to punishment by the state. It is a general term that covers many different activities including murder, burglary, robbery, larceny and fraud. To be convicted of a crime a person or collectivity must be found to have both criminal intent (mens rea) and actus reus. It is possible to be convicted of a crime without demonstrating either intention or actus reus, for example when driving over the speed limit.
Sociologists have long been interested in what constitutes crime and the role that social change plays in the emergence of new crimes or obsolescence of older ones. For instance, in the past it was not considered a crime to smoke cigarettes in public places, to rape a woman or to use symbols of racial hatred. These are now all classed as crimes.
A more narrow legal view maintains that what is deemed criminal depends on whether the behavior offends society’s moral sensibilities. This explains why the types of behaviors that are criminalized have changed through time and among different societies.
Those interested in writing about crime should be aware of the complexities of the field and the impact of their work on those who read it. In particular, journalists should avoid glamorizing criminal activity and be mindful of the effects of their reporting on the public’s fear of crime. They should also be aware of the ethical implications of working with traumatized people and be sensitive to the need for confidentiality.