NCJ Number
130541
Date Published
1991
Length
86 pages
Annotation
A futures study was conducted to determine the feasibility of establishing a state-wide relational data base by the year 2000 to assist in solving the serial crimes of homicide, sexual assault, and arson.
Abstract
A strategic plan and a transition plan were developed with the California Department of Justice, Division of Law Enforcement, as a model. The nominal group technique was used to develop seven trends and events. The trends determined to have a significant impact on the issue were standards for data collection input, regionalization of criminal data, and recognition by law enforcement of the need for criminal information management. Three events identified as most critical include new legislation to mandate uniform data entry and reporting of criminal modus operandi information, merger of a major police jurisdiction, and affordable new technology which has an impact on the linkage of existing crime analysis data bases. The eight policy recommendations developed focus on building consensus and cooperation within law enforcement in the sharing of information regionally and garnering support for legislation to develop a state-wide system. The overall strategy for implementing state-wide relational data bases is based on incremental improvement of the current Violent Crime Information System (VCIS). 2 charts, 2 appendixes, and 15 endnotes