NCJ Number
77831
Date Published
1981
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Based on an inventory and analysis of the status of the intrastate Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system in the United States, this report discusses characteristics of the environment within which the systems are being developed and suggests a new program to meet the criminal justice system's needs in this area.
Abstract
The report found that the greatest problem confronting State identification agencies is the poor quality of the fingerprints they receive and that local agencies need a national resource on CCH-related issues, actions, resolutions, and capabilities. The new program suggested, Applied Systems and Standards to Improve State Technology (ASSIST), will serve as a national systems and expertise source for efforts that exceed the resources of individual agencies. ASSIST will operate as a technical resource for State and local criminal justice agencies. The ASSIST program should have three basic components: resource development, packaging, and delivery. The ASSIST coordinator, designated by the Federal Government, will be responsible not only for developing the structure and mechanics of the program but for selecting research efforts that have potential for inclusion in the ASSIST program. Potential problems faced by ASSIST and activities to circumvent these problems are outlined in the areas of research and development, knowledge upgrade and interchange, and technical assistance. Flow charts are included.