NCJ Number
167636
Date Published
1996
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Integrated criminal justice involves the use of computerized information systems and an electronic network so that criminal justice agencies can pass or share data efficiently and effectively.
Abstract
This approach recognizes that defendants pass through many agencies. These agencies traditionally assign the defendant many different and unrelated identification numbers and handle their information systems separately. In contrast, integrated criminal justice enables each autonomous agency to acquires information for better decision-making and management while maintaining its security. Advances in computer technology have made this approach affordable. Integrated justice information systems depend to a large extent on the adoption of common technical standards for hardware and networking and software standards for electronic mail, text, and other functions. A single person identifier and a single incident identifier makes the process simpler and more accurate. A good integrated criminal justice system has several characteristics. Information should be entered only once, as close to the information source as practical. The system should be simultaneously person based and case based. It should use a unique numeric identifier that is based on a fingerprint or biometrics of the individual. It should use a single incident tracking number. Finally, all work should be entered into the system on the day it is done. Approval and strategic planning are the crucial beginning steps in developing such a system, which has numerous benefits.