CSS 2019 – Criminology: Examiner’s Feedback and Student Guide​

Introduction

Criminology has become a popular CSS optional because of its relevance to law, policing, and social problems. Many aspirants consider it a “scoring subject.” However, the examiner’s report for CE-2019 revealed that while the subject is manageable, most candidates underperformed due to weak conceptual knowledge, poor application of criminological theories, and lack of Pakistan-specific examples. Let’s unpack the examiner’s observations, the common mistakes, and preparation strategies for success.

Examiner Feedback (2019)

The examiner noted:

• Overall performance was unsatisfactory.
• Many candidates lacked conceptual clarity about criminological theories and schools of thought.
• Answers were superficial, with more focus on generic crime-related issues than criminological analysis.
• Candidates failed to apply criminology to Pakistan’s context (e.g., terrorism, cybercrime, prison reforms).
• Scripts often contained irrelevant or repetitive content copied from notes.
• A few well-prepared candidates who combined theories + case studies + Pakistan-specific examples scored significantly higher【Examiner-Reports-CE-2019.pdf†L148-L155】.

Common Mistakes by Candidates

1. Weak understanding of criminological theories
   • Many confused Classical, Positivist, and Sociological schools.
2. Generalizing crime issues
   • Answers became “essay-type” on law and order instead of criminology.
3. No link to Pakistan
   • Few candidates discussed terrorism, drug trafficking, or cybercrime with criminological frameworks.
4. Over-reliance on coaching notes
   • Repetition of identical, low-quality content.
5. Poor presentation
   • Lack of structured outlines, headings, and clear flow.

Practical Preparation Strategies

1. Master criminological theories
   • Classical School (Beccaria, Bentham)
   • Positivist School (Lombroso, Ferri)
   • Sociological theories (strain theory, labeling theory, social disorganization)
2. Apply to Pakistan’s context
   • Terrorism and radicalization → strain/social disorganization theories
   • Cybercrime → routine activity theory
   • Prison overcrowding → rehabilitation and restorative justice approaches
3. Use case studies and reports
   • Quote UNODC reports, FIA cybercrime data, and Pakistan’s prison reform policies.
4. Balance theory and practice
   • Define → explain theory → apply to Pakistan → suggest reforms.
5. Organize answers properly
   • Use outlines, headings, and short paragraphs for clarity.
6. Improve written expression
   • Practice writing with criminological vocabulary: recidivism, deterrence, rehabilitation, penal policy.
7. Use authentic sources
   • Books like Criminology by Larry Siegel and Criminology: The Core provide a strong foundation.

Encouraging Closing Note

The CSS 2019 examiner’s report proves that Criminology is scoring only if studied seriously. Those who confused it with general law-and-order essays failed, while those who understood theories and applied them to Pakistan’s issues excelled.

Remember: Criminology is about explaining crime, not just describing it. If you can analyze crimes in Pakistan through criminological lenses and propose reforms, you will impress the examiner.

Stay motivated: every theory you learn, every case study you connect, every reform you propose makes your preparation stronger. With smart preparation, Criminology can become one of your safest scoring optionals.