Crime is the behaviour that triggers criminal justice responses and it can be defined in many different ways. The simplest definition is legalistic – it’s an act that violates criminal law, i.e. it’s against the law and it has a particular aspect of harm (usually to others) and criminal blame. This legalistic definition is a limiting and partial one, however.
Criminologists who take a more critical approach have questioned notions of what is and isn’t a crime, questioning the strength of a definition that relies on legalistic criteria. Some have pushed for more expansive definitions that consider acts that cause social injuries, such as those caused by structurally powerful behaviour towards powerless individuals in society, to be classed as crimes.
Other criminologists have pointed to the political economy of crime and suggested that the state infuses criminal categories with certain interests, ideas and relationships and that this has an impact on how these are responded to by societies and governments. This approach is sometimes known as ‘abolitionist criminology’.
Considering these issues when creating your crime story will help you build suspense and tension. Think about the setting in which the crime takes place, how clues can be used to track down suspects, and how you might include detective work in your plot. It’s also worth paying attention to what the current bestselling crime writers are doing, as they will often be following a formula (although it can differ from book to book). For example, you could read Kathleen Reichs’ books for tips on characterisation and suspense, or check out Ian Rankin’s work for advice on writing action and crime scenes.
About the Author
