Includes bibliographical references (p. [483]-514) and index.

1. Introduction -- 2. Research methods in criminology -- 3. General characteristics of crime and criminals -- 4. Early and classical criminological theories -- 5. Positivist theories : biological and psychological -- 6. Sociological mainstream theories -- 7. Sociological critical theories and integrated theories -- 8. Violent crime -- 9. Property crime : occasional, conventional and professional -- 10. White collar crime : occupational and corporate -- 11. Political crime -- 12. Organized crime -- 13. Public-order crime -- 14. The American criminal justice system : an overview.

"The sixth edition of Introduction to Criminology: Theories, Methods, and Criminal Behavior is an introduction to the study of criminology with a chapter devoted to the criminal justice system. This book concentrates on the vital core of criminological theory - theory, method, and criminal behavior - and avoids an overly legal or crime control orientation. The sixth edition investigates all major forms of criminal activity, including organized crime, white collar crime, political crime, and environmental crime."--BOOK JACKET.