POSTMODERN CRIMINOLOGY: A METHODOLOGICAL REFLECTION

Abstract

This article discusses the evolution of Criminology throughout the 20th century, highlighting the shift towards a more critical and postmodern approach that integrates not only the study of crime but also the social, political, and economic dynamics surrounding it. Through the analysis of critiques from scholars such as Giddens, Moraes, and Zaffaroni, the text explores the identity crisis of Criminology, characterized by the disconnection between penal laws and their real social effects, as well as the ineffectiveness of penal laws in promoting justice and social order. The article also examines the importance of criminal statistics, presenting it as an essential tool for analyzing criminal dynamics, formulating more effective public policies, and understanding the "hidden figures" of crime. The statistical method, when applied in critical Criminology, goes beyond the mere quantification of crimes, allowing for the differentiation between real and revealed criminality, and contributing to the development of interventions based on concrete data.