Criminology is considered as a science, its subject and methods are covered. An analysis of crime and its causes, the identity of the criminal, criminal behavior, its consequences and crime prevention measures is given. Various types of crime are characterized, including terrorism, as well as background criminogenic phenomena. Complying in their content with the requirements of state educational standards for higher professional education, the lectures also present the author’s point of view on the key problems of criminology and the practice of fighting crime. For students of higher educational institutions studying in legal specialties and areas. Of interest to employees of internal affairs agencies, justice, courts, prosecutors and the legal profession.