According to the great criminologist Lombraso, a total of 4 types of criminals are found. According to him, only one type of born criminals are criminals. There is a special type of defect in the brain of congenital and adulterated criminals right from birth, due to which they become easily oriented towards crime if favorable conditions arise. Lombraso divided the culprits into 4 classes:
- Congenital offender (bourne criminal)
- Epileptic Criminal (Epileptic Criminal)
- Accidental Criminal (Accidental Criminal)
- Kama Criminal (Criminal By Passion)
Contrary to the above classification, Garopfalo believes that the classification of criminals should also take care of the human side and never ignore the psychological side of the criminals. Garofalo described 4 classes of criminals as bizarre criminals, bizarre murderers, unscrupulous criminals and lustful criminals. Heinz had 4 types of offenders in his classification:
- First culprit
- Accidental criminal
- Habitual criminal
- Occupational offender
Some scholars have divided the criminals on the basis of their economic status. Sutherland has identified only two types of criminals, lower class offenders and upper class offenders. Sutherland also called upper-class criminals white-collar criminals. According to Sutherland, lower-class offenders are those whose social and economic status is of a very low level, while upper-class offenders are those with very high socio-economic status. Since the criminal activities of white-collar criminals remain hidden from the society, they get a respectable place in the society. Bonzer categorized criminals based on the motives of the perpetrators. On this basis, Bonzer has given 5 types of crimes:
- Social crime
- Political crime
- Economic crime
- Work crime
- Mixed crime
On the basis of the above discussion, we can say that different scholars have presented different classifications of criminals but none of the classifications are completely correct nor universally accepted. Psychologists have divided criminals into 3 parts on the basis of psychoanalysis, self-confessed criminals, psychopathic criminals and extroverted criminals.
(1) self-confessed criminal: They are also known as Narcissist Type. The criminals of this class are peace loving and healthy in nature. Self-respecting criminals do not back down and commit crimes by harming society for their personal interests. Such criminals do not care how much harm their actions can cause to society, family or friends. A key feature of narcissistic type criminals is that they commit each of these crimes in a very cunning manner and not in momentary charge.
Self-confessed criminals have always been the subject of research for criminologists. Analysis of such criminals shows that there is some form of suppression of the sex of such criminals, ie the sex of such persons is unquenchable. Most of these types of criminals suffer from some mental illness related to sex. Whatever may be the reason, but it is so certain that the work force of such criminals remains depleted, that is, they are physically weak, Are incapacitated. Recently, the Nithari incident of Noida in Uttar Pradesh was in the news. One of its accused, Surendra Koli, was allegedly trying to catch innocent children and have sex with them, but because of his impotence, when he could not succeed in his plans, he used to murder the children in anger. Surendra Koli used to cut and throw away children's limbs in a very vicious manner. Surendra Koli represents the culprits of the self-respecting class.
(2) Manastapale criminals: These are also known as 'neurotic type'. These are criminals who commit crimes for a moment due to impulse. Such people neither think nor argue before committing the crime. It is clear that they commit crimes in the heat of anger and not with a cold mind. Such criminals are mostly masters of polytheism. Most of the crimes of rape and murder are committed by similar offenders.
(3) Extrovert criminals: Such criminals are also called criminals of 'extrovert type'. These types of criminals commit crimes collectively by forming gangs or gangs. One special thing is that the crimes committed by such criminals are aimed at benefiting their friends, relatives and not for themselves.
Usually the above three types of criminals are found in the society. By the way, some scholars have also categorized criminals on the basis of age of criminals. On this basis, there are two types of criminals, child and adult criminals. Individuals who commit crimes in childhood or adolescence are called juvenile criminals. In almost all countries, the age of up to 16 years has been prescribed for the determination of juvenile offenders. It is generally believed that only minor types of crimes are committed by juvenile offenders, but nowadays it has been seen that many heinous types of crimes are also being committed by juveniles. Apart from robbery, trafficking and theft, child criminals are now committing various types of sexual offenses. Children are also getting involved in crimes like molesting women, rape and attempted rape.
Sociologists are concerned about why children are moving towards crime. In fact, one of the main reasons for this is the trendy lifestyle and indulgence of modern appearance. The crimes committed by children and adolescents are taking the form of a serious social problem today. An analysis of these types of crimes shows that family problems are at its core. Children enter the world of crime due to family circumstances:
- Parents' unbalanced behavior towards children
- Constant fighting by parents
- Economic poverty of family
- Moral impairment of the family
- Family mimicry
- Inappropriate instructions given by the parent
- Different types of mental illness, weakness or defect.
Now the matter of adult criminals. All offenders above 16 years of age are called adult offenders. The court is more strict with adult offenders even if their crime is less serious than a crime committed by a child. Almost all types of crimes are committed by adult criminals.
