Criminality is a style of strategic behaviour characterised by self-centeredness, indifference to the suffering and needs of others, and low self-control' (http://www.des.vcdavis.edu). This defines criminality as the behaviour associated with a crime and the crime is the by-product of that behaviour. This definition of a behaviour type has been stamped onto and associated with the generalised behaviour of Indigenous Australians past and present. Therefore the question must be asked, "Has the behaviour trait of criminality been unfairly and unjustly thrust onto Indigenous Australians since colonialism due to the racist and blatant disregard of them as a culture and race?".
As (Behrendt, Cunneen and Libesman, 2009, p.114) detail, "it is important to consider a more in depth process of criminalisation of Indigenous Australians through policing and criminal law". Furthermore it is critical to note that historically Indigenous Australians have been subject to oppressive treatment by police and therefore they do have a distrust and resentment toward police officers. Perhaps this attitude is reciprocated by the police and therefore Indigenous Australians have had to wear the badge of criminality for over two hundred years due to this criminal oppression. .
Colonialism is defined as 'exploitation by a stronger country of weaker one; the use of the weaker country's resources to strengthen and enrich the stronger country (http://www.dictionary.kids.net.au). This defines the invasion of the British on Indigenous Australian territory and how they used Australia's resources to strengthen and enrich themselves by claiming sovereignty over Australia. This simple act of claiming land that the British contested was 'unoccupied' has led to the devastating oppression of Indigenous Australians. It has been the catalyst for the crimes and criminality that have haunted Indigenous Australians since the invasion and subsequent possession of Australia in 1770.
