Serial and mass violent crimes: the problem of definitions in modern criminology

Introduction: the author tries to analyze the concepts and basic characteristics of serial and mass violent crimes. The author considers the qualification of such crimes in accordance with the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Materials and Methods: logical, historical, analytical and comparative methods were used during the work on the article. Results: the author offered his definitions of serial and mass crimes, and considered general characteristics and features of such crimes including issues of their criminal qualification. Discussion and Conclusions: the author considers that it is necessary to conduct more thorough criminological studies of serial and mass crimes in order to organize proper social control over them.