Crime in the field of radioecological safety as an object of criminological research

This article explores and substantiates the conceptual and categorial framework used in examining crime in the domain of radioecological safety. Through an exploration and definition of the basic characteristics of crime at a general theoretical level, as well as an analysis of the prevailing and applied scientific approaches to comprehending the concepts of "radioecological (nuclear and radiation) safety," the authors formulate, describe, and elucidate specific criminologically significant integrating features that delineate crime in the field of radioecological safety as a distinct category of crime (within environmental crime) and distinguish it from other categories of crime. These distinguishing features include: its exceptionally high potential danger level among all types of crimes; crime in the field of radioecological safety is a manifestation of the dysfunction of the relevant social institutions, namely, the system of relations and social norms that comprises social practices related to the use of nuclear energy, management of radioactive materials, and other sources of ionizing radiation to fulfill the production, social, and other requirements of the State; and its relativity (social constructivism). The authors propose their definition of crime in the field of radioecological safety as a dangerous, relational, social phenomenon, categorized within environmental crime, and manifested in institutional social practices delineated by criminal liability law regarding the use of nuclear energy, management of radioactive materials, and other sources of ionizing radiation. This definition includes a representation of the main characteristics of the phenomenon under study as a systemic object of criminological analysis, and abstractly encapsulates those criminological attributes that allow to form the gnoseological basis for the subsequent empirical exploration of crime in the field of radioecological safety. 

crime in the field of radioecological safety, nuclear and radiation safety, criminological research, Criminal code of Ukraine, criminal offenses, criminal liability