NCJ Number
80169
Date Published
1980
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This report reviews the functions and activities during 1980 of the National Clearinghouse for Criminal Justice Information Systems' automated index, technical assistance component, education and training services, and the Integrated Criminal Apprehension Program (ICAP). It also considers the clearinghouse's prominent systems component and Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS).
Abstract
The clearinghouse directs its operations at improving the use and performance of information systems and lends its experience in the transfer of system design concepts and techniques to the criminal justice community. Its services include the automated index, developed as a time and effort saving resource for criminal justice agencies. Technical assistance services include audits of computer operations, analyses of records, problem identification, technical screening of proposals, and other services. From the clearinghouse's inception through March 1980, 33 technical assistance trips have been completed. To date, the clearinghouse has conducted 18 regular and 2 special workshops as part of its education and training service component. Moreover, 42 cities are currently participating in the ICAP program, designed to collect, analyze, and disseminate information helpful to the police. Special studies supported by the clearinghouse are listed, and prominent systems (those chosen for their utility within the criminal justice environment) are discussed. Finally, the report notes that the clearinghouse emphasizes FIPS publications as the standard for system development and documentation and has distributed 3,000 copies of FIPS documents. A table and two pie charts are provided.