---

For the first time, this volume brings together experts in the fields of criminology, criminal law and criminal justice from across the Balkans, to discuss the state of the art of criminology and current crime trends in a region that has thus far largely been neglected by European criminological research. This selection makes the book an essential reader for anyone interested in the current criminological setting of the Balkans and an excellent starting point for regional or country specific crime research.

---

For the first time, this volume brings together experts in the fields of criminology, criminal law and criminal justice from across the Balkans, to discuss the state of the art of criminology and current crime trends in a region that has thus far largely been neglected by European criminological research.

The first chapter analytically describes and defines the Balkan region, not only as a unique historical region, but also as a religious and legal territory, as well as a region of migration and violence and a criminological region sui generis. These facts are used to explore and promote the likely benefits of a coherent regional criminological research approach. Contributions from all members of the Balkan Criminology Network provide an in-depth overview of facts and background information about criminological education and research and data about crime, general crime trends, and current crime and criminal justice challenges. The final chapter presents selected research projects from the actual research agenda of the Max Planck Partner Group for Balkan Criminology (MPPG).

This selection makes the book an essential reader for anyone interested in the current criminological setting of the Balkans and an excellent starting point for regional or country specific crime research.

---

Anna-Maria Getos Kalac, Dr. jur., LL.M., Jahrgang 1979. 1997-2002 Kriminalistikstudium an der Polizeihochschule in Zagreb (Kroatien). 2002-2004 Magisterstudium an der Rechtswissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität in Freiburg im Breisgau. 2004-2010 Doktorandin am Max-Planck-Institut für ausländisches und internationales Strafrecht. 2005 Zulassung zur Promotion an der Rechtswissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität in Freiburg im Breisgau. 2005-2006 Mitarbeiterin im kroatischen Wissenschaftsministerium. Seit 2006 Assistentin und seit Ende 2011 Univ.-Dozentin am Lehrstuhl für Strafrecht der Rechtswissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Zagreb (Kroatien).

---