NCJ Number
29576
Journal
LAW AND COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (JULY/AUGUST 1975) Pages: 87-98
Date Published
1975
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THIS NON-TECHNICAL ARTICLE OFFERS SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PLANNING, DESIGN, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN INTEGRATED CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEM STRESSING ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF ITS EVENTUAL USERS.
Abstract
MANY COMPUTER SYSTEMS CURRENTLY USED BY CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES HAVE BEEN DESIGNED FOR VERY SPECIFIC OPERATIONAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS. THIS HAS LED TO A PROLIFERATION OF SPECIAL SYSTEMS WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF FILE REDUNDANCY AND DUPLICATION OF ACTIVITIES. CURRENT TECHNOLOGY AND THE CONCERN FOR MORE EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE HAVE MADE POSSIBLE THE DESIGN OF COHESIVE, INTEGRATED SYSTEMS TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE AUTHORS SUGGEST A 'TOP-DOWN' APPROACH TO SYSTEM DESIGN WHICH PROVIDES A DEFINITION OF THE ORGANIZATION'S OBJECTIVES, FOCUSES ON KEY ACTIVITIES AND DECISIONS, AND PRODUCES A DESIGN TO SUPPORT THESE ACTIVITIES. EFFECTIVE PLANNING AND THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY THOSE CONCERNED WITH ALL ASPECTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE EMPHASIZED.