NCJ Number
52445
Date Published
1973
Length
185 pages
Annotation
THIS DOCTORAL THESIS FOCUSES ON THE USE OF SCIENTIFIC METHODS TO FORECAST THE EFFECT OF THE NATURAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OF THE FUTURE, SPECIFICALLY 2023 THROUGH 2123.
Abstract
FOUR METHODS WERE USED TO DEVELOP A PREDICTION OF THE FUTURE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: (1) AN EXAMINATION OF TRENDS, (2) A STUDY OF BOTH PUBLIC AND EXPERT OPINION, (3) AN EXTENSIVE EXPLORATION OF MAJOR RECENT OR PROSPECTIVE TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS, AND (4) A STUDY OF THE DIRECTIONS OF BASIC SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. FOUR RATHER SWEEPING PREDICTIONS RESULTED. COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, NEUROPHYSIOLOGY, BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION, AND MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVE WILL CAUSE EXTENSIVE CHANGES IN THE OPERATION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OF THE NEXT CENTURY. THE APPLICATION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WILL RESULT IN A MAJOR REDUCTION IN PROPERTY CRIMES BY THE YEAR 2023. THE FURTHER APPLICATION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WILL RESULT IN SUCH DRASTIC REDUCTIONS IN CRIME THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WILL CEASE TO EXIST BY 2123. FINALLY, THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS THAT WILL REDUCE CRIME WILL ALSO REDUCE FREEDOM AND THREATEN CONCEPTS OF JUSTICE AND HUMAN DIGNITY. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--KBL)