This is a comprehensive introduction to criminology for students who are either new or relatively new to the subject. This text provides the basis of study for the new undergraduate student of criminology and those who need a foundation knowledge of criminology in other relevant courses. These include access and foundation degree courses run by colleges, university level courses in law, probation, policing, criminal and forensic investigation, and forensic psychology, as well as criminological components of A level courses in sociology and psychology.This book is: comprehensive - covering all the areas found in 'criminology' and 'criminal justice' textbooks; interdisciplinary - moving beyond sociological approaches to crime and criminal justice to take full account of the contribution of other disciplines, particularly psychology and biology; accessible - written, designed and presented to be valuable to both teachers and students; authoritative - written by an experienced and prolific author, researcher and leading British criminologist who has taught at A level, undergraduate and postgraduate levels; lively - full of illustrations, graphics, cartoons and with a number of special features; functional - easy to use, and geared to the needs of students and to the courses and exams they will confront; and, additional website support for students and teachers.