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How does criminology differ from criminal justice?

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collection of evidence at a crime scene — criminology FBI workers collecting evidence.

Criminology and criminal justice are distinct but closely related academic fields that approach the study of crime from different perspectives.12

Criminology

Criminology is the scientific study of the nonlegal aspects of crime and delinquency. It draws on diverse disciplines—such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, and economics—to examine broader questions, including:12
* The causes of criminal behavior.12
* Differences in crime rates across societies and over time.1
* The role of victims in criminal events (victimology).1
* The prevention and correction of criminal activity.12

Criminal Justice

Criminal justice is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the structure and functioning of the agencies responsible for responding to crime. Rather than seeking to explain why crime occurs, this field examines the operations of:12
* Police agencies.12
* Criminal courts.12
* Correctional institutions, such as prisons.12
* Juvenile justice systems.12

While criminology seeks to understand the nature of crime itself, criminal justice research often evaluates the effectiveness of specific policies and practices within these agencies to improve their performance and societal impact.12