Criminology: The discipline we need but rarely discuss

In Bangladesh, academic subjects often come with their own established social stereotypes. Mention engineering, and people nod with approval. Say 'medicine,' and everyone smiles proudly; even Business or Law tends to inspire confident expectations. But mention 'Criminology,' and the expressions shift to utter confusion. Starting with the author's personal experiences, people often ask, "What even is Criminology?" In contrast, others quietly whisper, "Is that a real discipline or subject to study?" 

Half of the people gave the criminology students a strange look, as if enrolling in the program meant studying Sherlock Holmes. In contrast, the other half appears convinced that they are about to become Sherlock Holmes! 

Amusing as these reactions are, they reveal something more profound: a widespread, almost astonishing lack of awareness about Criminology in Bangladesh.

For a country experiencing rapid social, cultural, technological, and economic change, Bangladesh still treats criminology as an optional curiosity rather than a national necessity.  

This confusion is surprising, considering that Criminology is not even new to this country. The discipline was first formally introduced in Bangladesh at Maulana Bhashani Science and Technology (MBSTU).

The Department of Criminology and Police Science (CPS) was established on 13 December 2003 under the Faculty of life Sciences.

The academic journey began on 1 June 2004, offering a four-year B.Sc. (Honours) and a one-and-a-half-year MS programme.

Then, a decade later, Criminology took another major leap when the University of Dhaka established its own Department of Criminology in 2012 under the Faculty of Social Science, following a syndicate decision. Professor

Dr Md. Zia Rahman became the Founding Chairman in 2013. Chittagong University also entered the field, launching its Department of Criminology and Police Science in the 2017-2018 session, marking another significant expansion of Criminology as an academic discipline in Bangladesh. 

Yet, herein lies the unfortunate truth: considering that Bangladesh has around 55 public and over 100 private universities, it is not very pleasant that only three of them officially host a fully-fledged Department of Criminology. 

The Bangladesh of 2025 is fundamentally different from even 2010. Technology has not only transformed communication and commerce but also created new avenues for exploitation.

Mobile financial frauds, deepfake blackmails, crypto-based scams, and online radicalisation have multiplies. Traditional policing cannot keep up. However, this does not mean that Criminology is limited to policing and legal studies; rather, it encompasses a much broader spectrum of academic inquiry, spanning human behaviour, social systems, crime causation, victimology, policy analysis, and the wider dynamics of justice.  

Modern Criminology brings together sociology, psychology, economics, biology, and behavioural science. It does not ask only 'what happened'; it interrogates why it happened, who is vulnerable, how offenders operate, and how preventive methods can interrupt criminal pathways.

Criminology can examine the minds of notorious serial killers such as Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer through a socio-cultural and psychological lens, and it can also explore how individuals may inadvertently make themselves victims by discussing the complex concepts of victimology, which is a sub-discipline of Criminology.

Forensic criminology applies scientific methods to investigate crimes to uncover the truth behind criminal acts. In the digital age, cybercrime has emerged as a significant challenge. By combining criminological theory with technological expertise, Forensic criminology can help law enforcement track and prevent modern threats. 

Yet despite this power, the discipline struggles against a significant gap between research and policy. Criminological findings rarely reach decision makers in our country. In contrast, criminology as an academic discipline has long matured in Europe and North America.

Leading global institutions – from the University of Oxford to major Ivy League universities in the United States – host dedicated criminology schools, institutes, and research centres that shape national policy and security systems, guide criminal justice reforms, and produce specialised graduates each year.

Across Europe and the United States, Criminology is a well-established degree with a clearly defined 'professional pipeline' into policy analysis roles, criminal justice planning, research positions, forensic and investigative services, victim support, correctional administration, and academic careers.  

But the reality in Bangladesh is different. While the discipline flourishes globally, the country still lacks a dedicated job ecosystem or an institutionalised career pathway for criminology graduates.

As a result, students who enter the field with genuine academic interest often find themselves redirecting their careers into broader sectors such as NGOs, research organisations, journalism, or the civil service, as this country has not yet developed dedicated roles aligned with this discipline.  

Bangladesh stands at a pivotal moment. Crime no longer looks the way it did twenty years ago, and the tools to understand crime must evolve accordingly. Criminology is not just an academic discipline; it can reshape policy, improve the social system, and help build a safer society. And perhaps, with the right investment in this discipline, Bangladesh may one day uncover what humanity has long wrestled with yet never 'fully' solved – "Why do people commit crime?" 

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