NCJ Number
113084
Journal
Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Newsletter Issue: 14-15 Dated: special issue (December 1987) Pages: 16-24
Date Published
1987
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article provides an overview of computer-aided operations, with focus on the development and applications of criminal justice information systems (CJIS').
Abstract
CJIS' store, analyze, and disseminate information that can be used in decisionmaking, long-term planning, administration, research and evaluation, and education. The CJIS may include evidence, management, statistical, legal/judicial, and bibliographic systems. General problems with such systems relate to differences in the availability of computers and other information technologies and in access to experience in their use. Several factors must be considered in the selection of hardware and software, including whether the system will be centralized or decentralized. Basic data sets may include crime reports, criminal methods, victim and offender profiles, judicial decisions, crime costs, personnel data, criminal codes, special indexes, and research results. Major applications include criminal justice management and administration functions and measurements of crime and system effectiveness. In CJIS planning and implementation, consideration must be given to ensuring data accuracy, privacy, and security. CJIS' also provide a means for facilitating international exchange of information on crime prevention and criminal justice.