Characteristics of organized criminal groups

Introduction: the development of not only the strategy, but also the tactics of combating organized criminal groups, the study of the effectiveness of various means of such counteraction largely determine the success of the fight against crime. In this regard, the article was aimed at drawing up the characteristics of organized criminal groups, paying special attention to the phenomenon of organized crime and, on this basis, determining the characteristics of modern organized criminal structures. Methods: the methodological framework for the work is general scientific (dialectical, systemic, structural and functional, logical, etc.) and specific scientific (formal-legal, comparative-legal, historical-legal, etc.) research methods. Results: the author’s standpoint is based on the generalization of knowledge accumulated in the theory of criminal procedure and the practical experience of using various criminal procedural means of combating organized crime. Conclusions: first, modern criminal organizations have a number of specific features, not all of which, however, are mandatory, since each criminal formation is distinctive and has features inherent only to it. Second, it can be found in any sphere of social relations, but it is more characteristic of the economic sphere, since the generation of illegal income and windfall was the main goal of organized crime, both in the past and at the present stage. The analysis of the operational search information on criminal activity should combine the assessments used in the military intelligence and planning, taking into account the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats from criminal organizations.