Principles of Criminology

The author considers the conceptual issues of distinguishing the principles of criminology. Analyzing the opinions of various scholars on the issue under consideration, the author disputes the need to use the principles of the criminal process only in forensic science. The proposed three-tier system of principles of this science is proposed, including: 1) general (general scientific) principles natural for both the other sciences and practical activities; 2) private, natural for all forensic science in general. These are actually forensic principles that characterize its basis, directions of activity, and prospects for development. It is within this group of principles that we can distinguish a theoretical and practical aspect; 3) special principles of criminology: principles characteristic only of individual parts of criminology. Without going into the discussion about the system of criminology, let us highlight the principles of the general theory of criminology; principles of forensic technology; principles of investigation and tactics of investigative actions; principles of forensic techniques. The development of an optimal system of principles of criminology makes it possible to increase the efficiency of scientific and practical developments.