Text 14

1. Read and translate the text.

CRIMINOLOGY

Criminology is a social science dealing with the nature, extent, and causes of crime; the characteristics of criminals and their organizations; the problems of apprehending and convicting offenders; the operation of prisons and other correctional institutions; the rehabilitation of convicts both in and out of prison; and the prevention of crime.

Criminology originated in the late 18 century when various movements began to question the humanity and efficiently of using punishment for retribution rather than deterrence and reform.

Criminologists commonly use several research techniques. The collection and interpretation of statistics is generally the initial step in research. The case study, often used by psychologists, concentrates on an individual or a group. The typological method involves classifying offences, criminals, or criminal areas according to various criteria. Sociological research is used in criminology to study groups, subcultures, and gangs as well as rates and kinds of crime within geographic areas.

Penology, the body of knowledge concerning the treatment of criminals, is regarded as an aspect of criminology. Penology is concerned with punishments prescribed by law, and includes capital punishment and imprisonment, probation (or parole) and conditional and absolute discharge after conviction. Punishment is the obvious and natural reaction of the community against its members who contravene the recognized norms. The justification of punishment can be seen today in the fact that it is a method, adopted by society, of fighting for its existence to which no alternative is known.

2. Answer the questions to the text.

1. What does criminology deal with?

2. When did criminology originate?

3. What methods and techniques are applied in criminology?

4. What is the initial step in research?

5. What does penology study?

III. Find in the text the equivalents of the following words and expressions.

Криминология рассматривает, опираться на открытия других наук, проблемы задержания преступников, предотвращение преступлений, материалы дела, нарушать признанные нормы, оправдание наказанию.

IV.Write down sentences with the following idioms.

1.Wise behind hand. Задним умом крепок.

2.Fine words dress ill deeds. Красивые слова прикрывают неприглядные дела.

Text 15

1. Read and translate the text.

EVIDENCE

The investigator and the court base their conclusions concerning the guilt of the accused upon the verification and assessment of the evidence. Evidence in a criminal case is facts, on the basis of which the investigating authorities and the court establish, in accordance with the law, the existence or absence of a socially dangerous act, the guilt of the person committing the act, and other circumstances of importance in making a correct decision in the case.

In collecting any object of possible evidential value an officer should keep in mind the importance of the following: a) The possibilities of fingerprints being found on it; b) The chances of certain pieces of microscopic debris, such as hair, blood, fibres, etc., adhering to it.

Physical evidence is something that is concrete, something that can generally be measured, photographed, analyzed, and presented as a physical object in court. Circumstantial evidence is a specific circumstance. If there are witnesses, the investigator needs corroborative evidence.

The collection of evidence before the trial is performed in the preliminary investigation. In more complicated cases the investigation is carried out by investigators, and otherwise by the militia. To obtain evidence, the investigator takes steps to find eye-witnesses of the crime, to obtain exhibits, etc.

The testimony of witnesses is a type of evidence. A witness is a person who is aware of facts relevant to a criminal case.

Upon receiving the summons, a witness must appear before the investigator or in court. If he fails to appear without good reason, he may be forced to by the militia and is criminally responsible for failure to appear. It is the duty of a witness to give all information at his disposal concerning the case and the accused.

The indictment is the culminating stage of the investigation in which the investigator sets forth the particulars of the crime and the evidence collected in the case and specifies the article of the criminal code covering the acts of he accused.

II. Answer the questions.

1. What types of evidence do you know?

2. What should an officer keep in mind collecting the evidence?

3. What is physical evidence?

4. When does the investigator need corroborative evidence?

5. What is the indictment?

III. Find in the text the equivalents of the following words and expressions.

В соответствие с законом, добывать улики, проводить предварительный осмотр, отпечатки пальцев, вина обвиняемого, показания свидетелей, судебная повестка, предъявление обвинения, формулировать особенности преступления.

IV. Write down sentences with the following idioms.

1. Over shoes, over boots. Семь бед – один ответ.

2.Fair play is a jewel. Честность всего дороже.