WCCC Library: Criminal Justice

This website was launched on the 10th January 2007 and is designed to help anybody looking for informed and detailed information on this fascinating topic. Definitions, history, topic areas, theory and practice, careers, debates, CSI, degree and study options will all be covered in detail here.

The mission of the ACLU us to preserve and protect Americans’ First Amendment rights, as well as the rights to equal protection and treatment, due process, and privacy. The organization’s website provides in-depth information about twenty issues relating to civil liberties, as well as civil liberties and Supreme Court cases, a legislative update, an action center, and a newsroom.

This organization seeks to “reduce overrepresentation and disparate treatment of youth of color in the justice system” and “promote fair, rational and effective juvenile justice policies.” The organization’s website provides information about popular topics, such as different minorities in the juvenile justice system, girls in the juvenile justice system, legal representation, correction facilities, and more. It also includes state and national statistics, research, and news.

The Center on Juvenile & Criminal Justice “provides direct services, technical assistance and policy research in the criminal justice field.” Its website includes information about model programs and projects, juvenile justice policy, and adult criminal justice policy. It also provides publications, news, and other related links.

This website provides news, statistics, podcasts, and an inmate/offender locator. It also includes more specific information in its education, juvenile, technology, health, and legal networks. Career and training information is also available.

This website discusses “the art and science of criminal investigation.” It links to articles about crime scene investigation, fingerprint evidence, physical evidence, demonstrative evidence, digital evidence, testimonial evidence, behavioral evidence, death investigation, unsolved/missing/wanted investigation, afterwards, and a training calendar.

The Criminal Justice Legal Foundation ensures “that our courts respect the rights of crime victims and law-abiding society.” The foundations website includes case information, amicus briefs, death penalty information, publications, and related links.

"For more than 30 years, FUTURES has been providing groundbreaking programs, policies, and campaigns that empower individuals and organizations working to end violence against women and children around the world."

JUSTNET is the website of the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC). It provides information about technology assistance, testing and evaluation, training assistance, equipment needs, and grant information. There is also a virtual library that includes publications, technology project descriptions, funding sources, and more.

This website includes publications, current events updates, and links to related resources. It also contains a searchable bibliographic database.

The National Crime Prevention Council helps people “keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe from crime.” The Council’s website includes publications, information about programs and training, news, and brief overviews about many specific safety topics.

The NFSTC helps create professional competency and quality systems for the forensic science community. The center’s website provides program and training information, news, podcasts, and links to related websites. It also provides tutorials that cover topics such as DNA Information, Blood Spatter, and Email Evidence.

This website provides links to criminal justice news. In addition to current events, the site also has articles about training, technology, and products, as well as a police and LE career center.

This sourcebook incorporates criminal justice data from more than 100 sources. Sections include criminal justice characteristics; public opinion; crime and victims; arrests and seizures; courts, prosecution, and sentencing; and parole, jail, prisons, and the death penalty. The data relating to these topics are displayed in over 1000 tables.

STRYVE Online helps communities to prevent violence committed by and against youths. The center’s website includes information about over seventy topics related to youth violence, including animal abuse, antisocial behaviors, homicide, injury statistics, truancy, and much more. Highlighted resources include prevention programs, training opportunities, funding resources, and publications.

The Tribal Court Clearinghouse was established to help improve justice in Indian country. Its website includes publications about emerging issues in American Indian affairs, as well as detailed information about tribal law, federal law, and state law.

The mission of UNODC is to “fight against illicit drugs and international crime.” Topics on its website include alternative development, corruption, crop monitoring, HIV/AIDS, human trafficking, illicit drugs, justice and prison reform, money laundering, organized crime, and terrorism prevention. Information is presented in the form of publications, treaties, and data and analysis.

This site provides statistics from the United States Department of Justice on crime, criminals, victims, and justice systems. Use the search box or browse the hyperlinked subjects listed in the center of the home page. Topics include drugs and crime, campus law enforcement, criminal sentencing, prisons, crime characteristics, and criminal sentencing. A “Key Facts at a Glance” function is available from the home page also.

With the goal of safeguarding children and families, the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provide information for professionals, families, and the concerned citizens. Some of the topics covered on its Web site include preventing and responding to child abuse, supporting and preserving families, adoption, and permanency.

The United States National Archives offers a wealth of official government documents online including the Constitution of the United States along with analysis and interpretation.

This website is maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Computer Crime and & Intellectual Property section. It includes recent press releases, “hot documents” relating to the enforcement and prosecution of cyber crimes, and news about computer crimes, intellectual property, electronic evidence, and other high tech legal issues. Also included is information about cases, policies and programs.

The Bureau Of Justice Statistics provides data on crime and criminality from the national government.

The FBI protects the United States against terrorism, foreign intelligence threats, and domestic crime. Their Web site has information for researchers, law enforcement personnel, and community members. Some of the top 10 Web resources are “Most Wanted Fugitives and Missing Persons,” “Submit a Tip on Crime or Terrorism,” “Search Sex Offender Registry,” and “Get Crime Prevention Tips.”

The Bureau of Prisons is responsible for the custody of approximately 201,000 federal offenders. Use the tabs across the gold strip at the top of the home page for an inmate locator, information about specific prisons, to look for careers, or to do business with the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

FEMA protects the country and works to reduce the loss of life and property from natural or man-made disasters or acts of terror. Use the tabs across the top of the page to “Plan Ahead,” “Apply for Assistance,” “Recover and Rebuild,” or for “Disaster Information.” At the top right is a button for Flood Maps, and the section in the middle of the page links to headlines and current events.

NCJRS offers justice and substance abuse information to aid researchers, policy makers, and program developers. Use the search function or browse from A to Z the publications and products of the NCJRS. This Web site also allows you to ask a question of their knowledge base, access information about grants from the Office of Justice Programs, and find upcoming events relative to criminal justice.

The National Institute of Justice is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. The agency’s website includes an alphabetical list of criminal justice topics, as well as information about corrections, courts, crime, drugs and crime, forensic sciences, law enforcement, technology and tools, and victims and victimization. Links to various issues and initiatives are also included.

This website is hosted by the U.S. Department of Justice. It can be searched by last name, first name, county, city/town, or zip code.

This website of the New Jersey State Police provides news releases, as well as information about branches (Administration, Homeland Security, Investigations, and Operations) and sections (Administration, Division of Human Resources, Emergency Management, Field Operations, Identification and Information Technology, Intelligence, Office of Forensic Sciences, Special Investigations, and Special Operations). Also included are news, forms, and guidelines for the general public.

The website of the Division of Criminal Justice provides extensive information about gang awareness, human trafficking, Megan’s Law, insurance fraud, and victim/witness assistance. It also includes publications relating to public corruption and crime, gang awareness and enforcement, bias crime and bullying, firearms and violent crime, and victim-witness assistance.

This website includes information about apprehending fugitives, protecting federal judges and courts, managing and selling assets, managing and transporting prisoners, protecting witnesses, serving court documents, and more. It also includes news and leads about U.S. Marshals’ 15 Most Wanted.

The U.S. Secret Service protects both national leaders and visiting foreign leaders, and investigates and safeguards the payment and financial systems of the United States. The organizations website provides information about its history, as well as about investigative and protection resources.

Use the hyper linked alphabet at the top of the page, or scroll down to find the definitions of criminal justice terms.

An international association dedicated to promoting scholarship in the field of criminal justice, the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences provides a forum for exchanging information about research, policy, education, and practice. It offers membership to scholars, professionals, and students.

AAFS is a professional society of researchers, teachers, and practitioners of forensic science dedicated to applying science to law. There are three levels of initial membership: Associate Member, Trainee Affiliate, and Student Affiliate. Applications for membership are approved only once a year at the February meeting.

ABC is a certifying board for forensic science practitioners. Its board is composed of representatives from regional and national organizations and is dedicated to promoting and recognizing professionalism in the field.

The ACA is an international correctional association that provides its members access to networking, consulting, research, training, and other areas of professional development. Membership is open to all individuals and organizations actively working or participating in the corrections profession.

The mission of the ACJA is to encourage and improve criminal justice education, to foster professionalism, to promote awareness of criminal justice issues, and to promote high standards within the criminal justice field. The American Criminal Justice Association Membership is open to students and professionals involved in criminal justice.

The American Probation and Parole Association “provides training and technical assistance, clearinghouse services and advocacy” in the criminal justice field. Membership is open to all individuals interested in probation, parole and community corrections.

The ASC embraces “scholarly, scientific, and professional knowledge concerning the etiology, prevention, control, and treatment of crime and delinquency.” Membership is available to both students and professionals.

AFTE is “an international organization dedicated to the advancement of one of the finest disciplines of forensic science … firearm and toolmark identification.” The organization’s website includes exam resources, expert referral information, forensic links, and forums. Membership is available to student/trainees in the profession of firearm and/or toolmark identification, professionals, and technical advisers.

The mission of the NABCJ is “to act upon the needs, concerns, and contributions of African Americans and other people of color as they relate to the administration of equal justice.” Students are encouraged to join and develop student chapters of the NABCJ.

NACOLE provides oversight information through newsletters, conferences, trainings, news and academic articles. Membership is open to individuals concerned with the oversight of law enforcement.

The NCJA represents governments on issues related to crime prevention and crime control. Membership is available to students and professionals interested in criminal justice.

NJAFS provides networking opportunities for individuals interested in forensic science. It also hosts meetings and seminars and publishes bi-monthly newsletters. Membership is open to both students and professionals in the field of forensic science.