How this paper is set and answered
From the notes printed under FPSC's own Revised Scheme tables.
- Ratio of MCQs in compulsory papers for CE-2016 will be 20 MCQs in each paper except in the paper of Essay. Similarly there will be 20 MCQs from each optional paper except Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.
Complete Criminology Syllabus
The full official FPSC syllabus, reproduced section by section from the source document.
Section-I (25 marks)
1Introduction
1 point
- Basic concepts used in understanding crime, criminality and criminal behaviour.
2Understanding Criminology
1 point
- Definition, meaning and scope of criminology; Criminology and criminal law; Crime as social problem; Deviance, Sin Vice, Evil, Norms, Values; Security (Physical, Social, Economic)
3Crime and Criminals
1 point
- Occasional criminals, Habitual criminals, Professional criminals, White-collar crime, Organized crime, corporate crimes.
4Crime and Criminality: Theoretical Perspectives
8 points
- Early explanation of criminal behavior
- Biological Theories; Psychological Theories; Sociological Theories.
- Social Disorganization theory
- Strain theory
- Social Control theory
- Learning theory
- Labeling Theory
- Islamic perspective on deviance and crime.
Section-II (25 marks)
5Juvenile Delinquency
1 point
- Meaning, definitions (Behavioral Vs Legal), Juvenile delinquent Vs status offender, Official statistics of juvenile delinquency
6Juvenile Justice System
5 points
- Role of police
- Juvenile court process:
- pretrial, trial and sentencing
- Role of prosecutor, defense counsel, juvenile judge, juvenile probation officer
- Juvenile correctional institutions; probation and non-punitive alternatives
7The Criminal Justice System:
6 points
- Police and its role
- Trial and Conviction of Offenders
- Agencies: formal and informal
- Criminal courts: procedures and problems
- Role of prosecutors
- Prisons, Probation and Parole
8Punitive and Reformative Treatment of Criminals
1 point
- Corporal punishment, Imprisonment, Rehabilitation of criminals.
Section-III (25 marks)
9Criminal Investigation
1 point
- Principles of criminal investigation, Manual of preliminary investigation, Intelligence operations, Data base investigation, Electronic investigation, Forensic Investigation
10Techniques of Investigations
1 point
- Gathering information from persons, Interviewing and interrogation techniques, Criminal investigation analysis,
11Legal and Ethical Guidelines for Investigators
1 point
- Stop and frisk operations, Arrest procedures, Search and seizure.
12International Policing and Criminal Justice Monitoring Organizations
1 point
- UNAFEI, INTERPOL, EUROPOL, UNODC, UNICEF, IPA, etc.
Section-IV (25 marks)
13Modern Concepts in Contemporary Criminology
12 points
- Terrorism, Radicalism and War on Terror
- Media’s representation of Crime and the Criminal Justice System
- Modern Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention
- Intelligence-led Policing
- Community Policing
- Private Public Partnership
- Gender and Crime in Urban and Rural Pakistan
- Crime and Urbanization, Organized Crime and White-Collar Crime
- Human Rights Abuses and Protection, especially of Children; Women and Minorities; The role of civil society and NGOs
- Money-laundering
- Cyber Crime
- Role of NAB, FIA, ANF
Scoring High in Criminology
Criminology for CSS tests a candidate's understanding of crime, criminality, and criminal behaviour from various theoretical and practical perspectives. The paper is structured into four sections, each carrying 25 marks, covering foundational concepts, justice systems, investigation, and modern issues. A strong script demonstrates an interdisciplinary approach, effectively linking criminological theories to real-world applications and contemporary challenges within Pakistan's context.
Criminology (100 marks) is an immensely popular, highly scoring subject covering the sociological and psychological causes of crime.
1. Theoretical Criminology: Understand exactly why people commit crimes through Lombroso's biological theories, to modern sociological strain and labeling theories.
2. Juvenile Justice and Forensics: Pay special attention to the Juvenile Justice System in Pakistan, cybercrime laws, and the growing role of modern forensic science in investigations.
3. The Criminal Justice System of Pakistan: Analyze the structural flaws within the police force, the judicial delays, and the draconian conditions of the prison system. Always suggest institutional reforms.
Paper by paper
Approach Paper I by first mastering the theoretical foundations in Section-I, as these underpin the entire subject. Subsequently, delve into the practical aspects of the Juvenile Justice System and The Criminal Justice System in Section-II. Section-III requires a detailed understanding of criminal investigation techniques and legal guidelines, while Section-IV demands awareness of contemporary criminological issues and their relevance. Ensure comprehensive coverage of all sections, as questions can be drawn from any part of the syllabus.
A six-month plan
- 1Phase 1: Foundations of CriminologyWeeks 1-6
Focus on 'SECTION: Introduction', 'SECTION: Understanding Criminology', 'SECTION: Crime and Criminals', and 'SECTION: Crime and Criminality: Theoretical Perspectives'. Develop a strong grasp of basic concepts, definitions, scope, and the various theoretical explanations of criminal behaviour, including the Islamic perspective.
- 2Phase 2: Justice Systems and TreatmentWeeks 7-12
Concentrate on 'SECTION: Juvenile Delinquency', 'SECTION: Juvenile Justice System', 'SECTION: The Criminal Justice System', and 'SECTION: Punitive and Reformative Treatment of Criminals'. Understand the distinct components, processes, and challenges of both juvenile and adult justice systems, along with different approaches to offender treatment.
- 3Phase 3: Investigation and Global ContextWeeks 13-18
Study 'SECTION: Criminal Investigation', 'SECTION: Techniques of Investigations', 'SECTION: Legal and Ethical Guidelines for Investigators', and 'SECTION: International Policing and Criminal Justice Monitoring Organizations'. Emphasise the principles and methods of investigation, legal boundaries, and the roles of international bodies like INTERPOL and UNODC.
- 4Phase 4: Contemporary Issues and RevisionWeeks 19-24
Dedicate this phase to 'SECTION: Modern Concepts in Contemporary Criminology', covering topics like Terrorism, Cyber Crime, Gender and Crime, and the role of various agencies. Simultaneously, begin comprehensive revision of all sections, focusing on interlinking concepts and practising essay writing.
- 5Phase 5: Practice and RefinementWeeks 25-26
Engage in full-length mock exams to simulate exam conditions. Identify weak areas, refine answer structuring, and improve time management. Review high-yield topics and common mistakes to solidify understanding and enhance presentation.
Using CSSPrep.AI for Criminology
Only the tools that genuinely support this subject are listed.
Use the Essay Writer to construct well-structured answers for potential long-form questions. Focus on developing a clear thesis, comprehensive outline, and evidence-based arguments.
Try: Discuss the various theoretical perspectives on crime and criminality, including biological, psychological, and sociological theories.
Utilise the MPT Trainer for diagnostic and adaptive MCQ practice. This will help reinforce your understanding of definitions, concepts, and factual details from all sections of the Criminology syllabus, preparing you for the objective component.
Submit your written answers to the Evaluator to receive detailed feedback on structure, content, evidence, and language. Use these scores and comments to identify areas for improvement and refine your answer writing technique for the CSS rubric.
High-yield topics
Each one is traced back to the section of the official syllabus it comes from.
This section forms the theoretical bedrock of Criminology, frequently tested for analytical depth and the ability to apply various theories to understand criminal behaviour.
Syllabus section: Crime and Criminality: Theoretical Perspectives
Juvenile delinquency is a distinct and significant area, often appearing as a full question requiring knowledge of definitions, causes, and the specific justice system designed for juveniles.
Syllabus section: Juvenile Delinquency
Understanding the structure, functions, and challenges of the formal criminal justice agencies is crucial, as questions often focus on their roles and interconnections.
Syllabus section: The Criminal Justice System:
This section is vital for demonstrating awareness of current global and local criminological challenges, often requiring an analytical approach to contemporary issues.
Syllabus section: Modern Concepts in Contemporary Criminology
The practical aspects of criminal investigation, including principles, techniques, and legal guidelines, are frequently examined for their procedural importance.
Syllabus section: Criminal Investigation
This topic explores the core debate in criminology regarding how society responds to offenders, encompassing various forms of punishment and rehabilitation strategies.
Syllabus section: Punitive and Reformative Treatment of Criminals
Common mistakes in Criminology answers
- Failing to link theoretical concepts from Section-I to practical examples or contemporary issues, especially within the Pakistani context.
- Confusing the distinct roles and procedures of the Juvenile Justice System with the general Criminal Justice System.
- Providing generic answers without specific reference to criminological theories, types of criminals, or concepts explicitly mentioned in the syllabus.
- Inadequate coverage or superficial understanding of 'SECTION: Modern Concepts in Contemporary Criminology', which often requires current awareness.
- Lack of clarity in distinguishing between different types of criminals, such as white-collar crime versus organised crime, as outlined in the syllabus.
- Not adhering to the 'Legal and Ethical Guidelines for Investigators' when discussing investigation techniques, leading to incomplete answers.
FPSC recommended books
The 20 books FPSC lists for Criminology in the official syllabus.
| Title | Author |
|---|---|
| 1. New Perspectives in Criminology | Conklin, J.E |
| 2. Criminal Interrogation and Confessions. | Fred, E.I., John, E.R., Joseph, P.B. and Brian, C.J. |
| 3. Theoretical Criminology | George B. Vold, Thomas J. Bernard, Jeffrey B. Snipes |
| 4. Modern Criminology: Crime, Criminal Behavior and its Control. | Hagan, J. |
| 5. Juvenile Delinquency: An Integrated Approach | James, B. |
| 6. Security Studies: An Introduction | Paul, D.W. |
| 7. Crime, Justice and Society: An Introduction to Criminology | Ronald, J.B., Marvin, D.F. and Patricia, S. |
| 8. Juvenile Delinquency: Theory, Practice, and Law | Seigel, L.J. |
| 9. Crime Prevention: Theory and Practice | Stephen, S. |
| 10. International Society of Criminology (ICS): http://www.isc-sic.org | — |
| 11. American Society of Criminology (ASC): http://www.asc41.com/ | — |
| 12. British Society of Criminology (BSC): http://www.britsoccrim.org/ | — |
| 13. European Society of Criminology (ESC):http://www.esc-eurocrim.org/ | — |
| 14. International Police Executive Symposium (IPES); http://www.ipes.info/ | — |
| 15. Asian Criminological Society (ACS): http://www.ntpu.edu.tw/college/e4/acs/home.php | — |
| 16. Asian Association of Police Studies (AAPS):http://www.aaps.or.kr/ | — |
| 17. Campbell Library: http://www.campbellcollaboration.org/library.php | — |
| 18. UNAFEI (Japan): http://www.unafei.or.jp/english/ | — |
| 19. Pakistan Society of Criminology (PSC): www.pakistansocietyofcriminology.com | — |
| 20. South Asian Society of Criminology and Victimology (SASCV): http://www.sascv.org/ | — |
Frequently asked questions
How important is Section IV, 'Modern Concepts in Contemporary Criminology'?
This section is highly important as it tests your awareness of current challenges and their criminological implications. It often includes topics like terrorism, cyber crime, and gender and crime, which are frequently examined and require a contemporary understanding.
Do I need to memorise all the different theories in Section I?
Yes, a thorough understanding of early explanations, biological, psychological, and sociological theories, including specific ones like Strain and Labeling Theory, is crucial. You should be able to explain, compare, and apply them comprehensively.
How can I differentiate between the Juvenile Justice System and the general Criminal Justice System?
The syllabus clearly outlines distinct components for both. Focus on the specific roles of police, courts, and correctional institutions mentioned under 'Juvenile Justice System' versus 'The Criminal Justice System' to highlight their unique procedures and objectives.
Are the FPSC recommended books essential for preparation?
While the FPSC recommended books offer in-depth knowledge, the primary focus should always be on covering every topic listed in the official syllabus. These books can serve as valuable resources for detailed understanding where needed, but the syllabus is your ultimate guide.
How can I ensure my answers are specific to Criminology and not generic?
Ground your answers in the specific definitions, theories, and concepts outlined in the syllabus. When discussing crime, link it to types of criminals, theoretical perspectives, or specific justice system components mentioned, avoiding general social commentary.
What is the significance of 'Islamic perspective on deviance and crime'?
This topic requires understanding how Islamic principles view deviance and crime, and how they might inform criminological thought. It's a specific requirement of the syllabus and should be prepared thoroughly, integrating it with broader theoretical discussions.
How should I approach 'International Policing and Criminal Justice Monitoring Organizations'?
For this section, focus on understanding the mandate, functions, and key activities of the organisations listed, such as UNAFEI, INTERPOL, EUROPOL, and UNODC. Be prepared to discuss their role in international cooperation against crime.
Syllabus text reproduced from Revised Syllabi for CSS Competitive Examination, CE-2016 (updated 7 July 2015), pages 62-64. Marks and grouping are from the same document's Revised Scheme tables. Verify against the official PDF before relying on it.