Criminology is the scientific study of crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system. It involves examining the causes, consequences, and prevention of criminal behavior, as well as the institutions and practices of the criminal justice system. Criminologists use a wide range of research methods to study crime, including surveys, interviews, and statistical analysis. The field of criminology encompasses many different sub-disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, and law, and has important implications for public policy and social justice.