Ritual and cult crimes and the characteristics of their perpetrators

Abstract

In this paper the criminality aspect of ritual crimes that are the result of accepting the cult value system is discussed. Successfully finding and prosecuting perpetrators of such acts impose requirements of above-average knowledge of context and value system from which perpetrators arise. If there are indications of ritual, sacred or cultic dimensions of a crime application of multidisciplinary criteria, is necessary in order to clearly define the distinction between inauthentic cult milieu (which usually occurs under the influence of the media) and real phenomena which indicate the affiliation of the perpetrator group cult character or value system that can inspire a crime. In paper is also discussed about he attempts of modern democratic societies to establish a better balance between principle of multi-confensionality and dangers of increased misuse of democratic institutions due to development of new technologies such as Internet. This paper presents examples of ritual crimes in the Republic of Serbia and provide practical recommendations aimed at criminological and criminal-methodological approach to this issue.