Separate chapters focus on the notion and scope of criminology, describe criminology's links with other disciplines, and outline criminological theories. A chapter on criminological research methods covers research instruments, psychological studies, and studies of the ways in which offenders communicate. Other chapters examine a general view of contemporary criminology in socialist and developing countries, the costs of crime, and development of criminological research institutions in highly industrialized countries. Criminological research in Scandinavian and socialist countries and in the developing countries of Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia is reviewed. Attention is also paid to criminology in Latin American countries, the role of the United Nations and the Council of Europe in combating and preventing criminality, the International Society of Criminology, and the International Society of Social Defense. The activity of the International Criminal Police Organization and other international organizations is described. Concluding chapters look at new perspectives in crime prevention and the teaching of criminology. Chapter notes, indexes, and about 70 references are provided.