The dictionary is intended to provide a quick reference for anyone seeking to understand the field of criminal justice, including students, instructors, practitioners, lay persons, and administrators. While not exhaustive, the dictionary attempts to provide a detailed source for the most frequently used terms and concepts associated with criminological theory. As criminological theory forms the basis of public policy, it is essential that students, practitioners, and the general public are aware of the diverse explanations of why people commit crimes and how government controls criminal behavior. Definitions contained in the dictionary reflect interest areas within the field of criminology, the historical development of criminology, the relationship between criminology and police science, and the contribution of criminology to police work. 1 chart