INNOVATIVE NATURE OF THE 21ST CENTURY CRIMINOLOGY

Abstract

The aim of the article is to study the development trends of criminology, including Covid - 19 in a pandemic environment. The rationale for the innovative criminological approach is related to new types of criminal threats and their consequences. Certain forms and types of traditional crime are transforming into the digital environment in postmodern society, including through the use of DarkNet platforms. At the same time, criminological research is insufficient in Latvia, criminology study courses are not included in all law study programs. In the 21st century, new criminological approaches and schools are emerging, including neocriminology, synergistic, narrative, digital, neurocriminology. Appropriate criminological approaches have a specific nature and content. These trends confirm that, despite the importance of criminology, there is a need for research into the development trends of organized crime, cybercrime, trafficking in human beings, drugs and arms, and the possibilities for combating and preventing them. It would also be necessary to develop specialized criminology study programs.