Methodological importance of information for the development of crime prevention measures in the information society system
Authors: Fedorov Oleg 
Published: July 2022

The formation of the information (digital) society of Ukraine is a manifestation of a global trend, the historical inevitability of which is due to the objective logic of civilization. A characteristic feature of these processes is the growing demand for scientific theories, the use of which in practice will ensure social progress and protection of universal values.

The purpose of the article is to improve on the basis of a systematic approach to crime prevention measures, the task - to determine the methodological functionality of information for the development of crime prevention measures in the information society.

Methodology is rightly considered the theoretical foundation of effective scientific research. At the same time, there is currently no consensus among experts on the content of this category. The definition of methodology as a system of methods of cognition and transformation of reality is offered. It is argued that due to the acceleration of scientific and technological progress and the increase in the amount of information processed, the number of alternative methodological theories will continue to increase significantly.

It is pointed out that the fundamental principles of the methodology lie beyond our knowledge and cannot yet be definitively established. Therefore, experts are forced to use methodological concepts, largely based on faith in them. However, each new fact that becomes known to scientists will either confirm or refute substantiate the basic principles of the applied methodology.

It is claimed that the information component provides the system functionality of objects and processes in two aspects:

1. Information as a coordinating component of the system (management and one-level coordination). Guidance means providing information to perform mandatory actions. Reconciliation can be defined as the sharing of information to achieve a coordinated outcome.

2. Information as a resource of systemic activity. A resource is an object intended for further processing with a certain result of the system state.

In both cases, it is a question of the functionality of the connections between the elements of the system, which understand the interdependence of the existence of phenomena separated in space and time.

It is pointed out that in the field of practical activity of the subjects of crime prevention, information is, firstly, a component of coordination processes, and secondly, a resource through which their competence is realized. This is seen in relation to all entities that, in accordance with Art. 2 of the Law of Ukraine "On State Protection of Court Employees and Law Enforcement Bodies" have the status of law enforcement agencies.

It is concluded that the system approach as a promising methodology of theory and practice of law enforcement. It is argued that further improvement of crime prevention measures should take into account the information component of systemic activities in this area (information as a resource and coordination component).