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CONTEMPORARY TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN OPTIMAL JUVENILE INVESTIGATION

NCJ Number
19776
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: (WINTER 1974) Pages: 305-316
Author(s)
F W VONDRACEK; H B URBAN; W H PARSONAGE
Date Published
1974
Length
12 pages
Annotation
AFTER REVIEWING SOME BASIC PROBLEMS IN JUVENILE INVESTIGATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR AN OPTIMAL SYSTEM FOR JUVENILE INVESTIGATIONS, THE AUTHOR DISCUSSES THE USE OF ON-LINE COMPUTERS TO IMPLEMENT THIS OPTIMAL SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT THE KEY TO RENEWED EFFECTIVENESS OF THE JUVENILE COURT IN ACCOMPLISHING ITS PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE OF THE REHABILITATION OF YOUTH IS TO PROVIDE IT WITH A SATISFACTORY INFORMATION BASE CONCERNING THE YOUTH AND HIS DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS. CURRENT METHODS OF OBTAINING THIS INFORMATION - THE JUVENILE INVESTIGATION - ARE SEEN AS INADEQUATE. THE CONCEPTUAL, PROCEDURAL, AND MANPOWER PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE JUVENILE INVESTIGATION ARE EXAMINED. THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT THE INFORMATION BASE SHORTCOMINGS CAUSED BY THE USE OF JUVENILE INVESTIGATIONS CAN BE REMEDIED BY A MODIFICATION IN THE CONCEPTUAL FRAME WITHIN WHICH JUVENILE INVESTIGATIONS ARE CONSTRUCTED AND THROUGH THE UTILIZATION OF CONTEMPORARY ADVANCES IN COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY. THE AUTHOR THEN DESCRIBES A COMPUTER ASSISTED REGIONAL EVALUATION SYSTEM (CARES) TO ILLUSTRATE HOW ON-LINE COMPUTER SYSTEMS CAN PROVIDE A BASIS FOR ACCOMPLISHING AN OPTIMAL JUVENILE INVESTIGATION AND UPGRADE THE CAPABILITIES OF JUVENILE PROBATION WORKERS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)