This online guide is developed specifically for those doing research in Criminal Justice and other similar topics. It provides a recommended list of resources, including print materials, electronic databases, and selected Internet resources.
Because Criminal Justice includes many disciplines such as psychology and sociology, you may need to consult resources in those fields also.
For more extensive research help, contact Wendy Moorhead, Collection Access Librarian at 696-2336.
Latest News & Research
Headlines collected from the International Journal of Transitional Justice, Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Legal Talk Network
Statutes, Regulations & Opinions
Statutes - the basis of criminal laws
Federal
- Congressional Universe
This comprehensive site includes US Code, Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register, and Congressional publications, testimony and research.
- Constitution & Bill of Rights Ref KF 62 1972 .L38
Online http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.overview.html
- WestlawCampus
- Lexis/Nexis Academic
- U.S. Code Service (Title 18): Crimes and Criminal Procedure Ref. KF 62 1972 .L38
States
- Cornell's Online Links to State Codes and Statutes
- West Virginia
West's Annotated Code of West Virginia
Ref W 345.W583 another copy is located in Special Collections, Morrow Library
- Ohio
Baldwin's Ohio Revised Code Annotated
Ref KFO 30 1070.A2
- Kentucky
Baldwin's Kentucky Revised Statutes Annotated
Baldwin's Kentucky Revised Statutes Annotated
Ref KFK 1230 1942 .A234
- For all of the above see also WestlawCampus and Lexis/Nexis Academic databases.
Regulations and Guidelines - how the law is administered
- Code of Federal Regulations (Title 28:) Judicial Administration
Located in Government Documents
- Federal Rules of Evidence
WestlawCampus and http://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/fre/overview.html
- Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
- For all of the above see also WestlawCampus and Lexis/Nexis Academic databases.
Court Opinions - how the law is interpreted
- Supreme Court Opinions
United States Reports - Located in Government Documents
- Other Federal Court Opinions
- West Virginia and Other State Court Opinions
- For all of the above see also WestlawCampus and Lexis/Nexis Academic databases
State & Federal Judiciary & Law Enforcement Agencies
Federal Government
U.S. Department of Justice
Online http://www.usdoj.gov/FBI
Online http://www.fbi.gov/U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons
Online http://www.bop.gov/U.S. Federal Judicial Center
Online http://www.fjc.gov/U.S. Marshals Service
Online http://www.usdoj.gov/marshals/U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
Online http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/U.S. Office for Victims of Crime
Online http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/U.S. Sentencing Commission
Online http://www.ussc.gov/U.S. Bureau of Tobacco, Alcohol & Firearms
Online http://www.atf.treas.gov/
For all of the above see also WestlawCampus and Lexis/Nexis Academic databases.
State Governments
West Virginia Office of the Attorney General
Online http://www.wvago.us/frameset.htmlWest Virginia Department of Military Affairs & Public Safety - Division of Corrections
Online http://www.wvf.state.wv.us/wvdoc/Other States
Online http://www.law.cornell.edu/states/listing.html
For all of the above see also WestlawCampus and Lexis/Nexis Academic databases.
Books
Use the library catalog to locate books in the Marshall University libraries.
The Subject Search requires you to use Library of Congress Subject Headings. Here are some useful Subject Headings:
- Constitutional law
- Crime
- Crime and criminals
- Crime and prevention
- Criminal behavior
- Criminal investigation
- Criminal law
- Criminal procedure
- Criminal psychology
- Criminals
- Criminology
You can browse the stacks on the 2nd floor of Drinko Library in these call number areas:
HV 6000 - HV 9000 Criminal Justice
KF Law
For books at other libraries, search other Library catalogs over the Web. These books may be ordered from other libraries using the Information Delivery Services (IDS)
Journal & Magazine Articles
The online databases and indexes listed below will provide references to articles (or in some cases full-text articles) in a wide range of periodicals, from news magazines and newspapers to scholarly and professional journals. If you have questions about choosing or using a database or index, please consult a librarian. View a complete list of all online databases.
Full-Text Databases
- WestlawCampus
- Lexis/Nexis Academic
- Academic Search PremierThis comprehensive database features full text for over 1,200 journals with many dating back to 1990, abstracts and indexing for over 3,000 scholarly journals, and coverage of The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Christian Science Monitor. It also includes coverage of over 1,700 peer-reviewed journals.
Hint: Remember, articles that can't be printed as full-text or image may be available elsewhere in the Library.
- PsycARTICLES
PsycARTICLES® contains more than 25,000 full-text articles from 42 journals published by American Psychological Association and allied organizations. Coverage includes general psychology and specialized basic, applied, clinical, and theoretical research in psychology, and psychiatric social work.
Indexes & Bibliographic Databases
These databases and indexes will provide citation information (author, article title, periodical name, volume & issue, date) for articles, essays, book chapters, dissertations, and other materials, which may be found in the MU Libraries by searching the library catalog or ordered from another library using the Information Delivery Services (IDS) if the items are not owned by MU Libraries.
Criminal Justice Abstracts Recommended
Provides bibliographic coverage of criminology and criminal justice. Covers articles, books, dissertations and unpublished papers.
Available in print for the years 1974-1993 Ref HV 6001 .C67
Also see Criminal Justice Periodicals Index
1975 - 1998 Ref Z 5118 .C9 C74 and CD-ROM at Reference Desk covering 1968-1999Sociological Abstracts
Covers the world's literature in sociology and related disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences. Covers original research, reviews, discussions, monographic publications, panel discussions, case studies, conference papers, and dissertations from over 1,600 journals and other serial publications.Social Services Abstracts
Provides bibliographic coverage of current research focused on social work, human services, and related areas, including social welfare, social policy, and community development. The database abstracts and indexes over 1,600 serials publications and includes abstracts of journal articles and dissertations, and citations to book reviews.PsycINFO
Provides indexing and abstracts for over one million articles in 1,700 journals and also includes abstracts for dissertations, books and book chapters ranging in date from 1887 to the present.Worldwide Political Science Abstracts
Covers the world's literature in political science and related fields, including social policy.
Does the Library Have Your Article?
Once you have a citation for your article:
- Try Journals Search
Look up the title of the journal or magazine that your article appeared in. If the periodical shows up on the list, follow the link to the article database that contains it or find the copy in the library.
- If you need a book the library doesn't own, you can request a copy through E-Z Borrow. In addition, you can request articles and books through Information Delivery Services. Most articles are delivered over the web at no charge; paper copies are .10 a page.
Reference Sources
The Reference Collection, located on the first floor of Drinko Library, contains many print resources that provide useful background information. This list might help suggest some topics for your research:
Encyclopedias and Dictionaries:
Ref. KF 154 .C56 Corpus Juris Secundum (CJS) vols 22-24, Criminal Law
Recommended
Multivolume legal encyclopedia, a good starting point for research. Provides definitions, short articles on subjects within the main topic, court cases which illustrate the points discussed. Updated annuallyRef. KF 545 .Z9 A42 American Jurisprudence 2nd (AmJur) vols 21-21A, Criminal Law
Same as above, different publisher.
Ref. KF 154 .W47 1998 West's Encyclopedia of American Law
12 volume encyclopedia from major legal publisher, West, has subject index. Definitions of legal words, phrases and concepts, cases in "everyday language". Individuals and events important to the legal system are also covered. A special section, called Milestones of the Law provides an in-depth view of landmark cases. One example under Criminal Procedure is Miranda v. Arizona.
Ref. HV 5804 .E53 1995 Encyclopedia of Criminology and Deviant Behavior
A 4-volume set that contains hundreds of essays on criminology and deviant behavior. For example, Volume II includes essays on age and crime, crimes committed by children, deadbeat parents, juvenile gangs, and the victims' rights movement.
Ref. HV 6017 .E52 2002 Encyclopedia of Crime and Justice
4 volume encyclopedia published by major publisher of reference materials, contains more than 250 essays, broad in scope, ranging from 800 to 12,000 words. Lists of books for additional reading are provided at the end of each essay, as well as list of related essays. Philosophical, scientific, theological, historical, etc information and references are included. For example there is an essay on Career in Criminal Justice - corrections, criminal law, police. An essay on Comparative Criminal Law discusses law in China, England, Islamic countries, Russia. There is an essay on Crime Causation with separate sections on biological, economic, psychological, sociological and political theories.
Ref. HV 7411 .R87 1991 Dictionary of Criminal Justice
The biggest section is a dictionary with very brief definitions of terms; small section provides summaries of U.S. Supreme Court cases affecting criminal justice section, arranged by amendments to the Constitution and other subjects.
Ref. HV 7419 .C73 O24 2000 Criminal Justice Research Sources
A 2-volume set that contains over 200 entries created for researchers, teachers and practitioners. Examples are Problem Behavior in Adolescence, Adolescent Fathers, and Adolescent Drug Use.
Ref. HV 9104.E58 2003 Encyclopedia of Juvenile Justice
Brings together in one volume a combination of historical work, current views, people and ideas that are related to juvenile justice. There is a very wide variety of topics covered - for example: death penalty, female delinquency, guns and juveniles, gangs, juvenile and teen courts, juvenile detention facilities, mentoring programs, theories of delinquency, runaways. For each topic the article is broken down into an historical overview, subtopics, conclusion , references to other related topics and a bibliography. At the end of the book there are two appendixes on print and online resources and internet resources. appears to be an extremely useful.
Ref. HV 9471 .E425 1996 Encyclopedia of American Prisons
Provides the history and current operations of American prison systems. In alphabetical order, each entry begins with the history involved, to better understand what has since developed. For example, the entry for Correctional Officers, begins with the problems of supervising inmates which led to prison reformers in the nineteenth century. The entry for Lease System, describes the early practice of putting prisoner to work on public and private projects, dating back to ancient Greece.
Ref. HV 6787 .D87 Crime in America: A Reference Handbook
A reference guide that combines a long introduction, a chronology, data and documents, and directory of organizations. Also has a long bibliography. Good introduction to the subject.
Ref. HV 9304 .W54 Dictionary of American Penology
Undergraduates will find a broad range of topics that can provide ideas for term papers. Published in 1979, this is best used as a source for ideas on what to research.
HV 9950 .C77 1994 Critical Issues in Crime and Justice
Not a Reference Book - intended as a practical description of legislation and innovative programs in criminal justice in the 1990's. Each chapter has a different author, with experience in the field he/she writes about. Issues covered include Jail overcrowding, prison industries, parole supervision, plea bargaining, auto theft, battered women and police use of excessive force.
Ref. HV 7419 .C75 1998 Criminal Justice Information: How to Find It, How to Use It
Published in 1998, it includes internet and web sites, online databases. Some of these, may have changed since the book was published. Chapters cover periodicals, news sources, indexes, statistical sources, legal research, etc.
Z 5703.4 .C73 N45 Criminal Justice Research in Libraries and on the Internet
Not a Reference Book - published in 1997, similar to the above book, it contains a chapter on efficiency in research, designed for the beginning student. Part III deals with four special research situations: legal research, forensic science research, historical research and comparative research across countries.
Ref. HV 9950 .H48 Criminal Justice in America, 1959-1984
An annotated bibliography designed to provide essential sources, chosen by experts in the field, for each subject. Subjects covered include history of law enforcement, corrections and courts; organization of law enforcement, corrections and courts. Published in 1985.
Statistical Sources:
Bureau of Justice Statistics Recommended
Online at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/
Best website for finding criminal justice statistics.Statistical Universe
A database of primarily government statistics. Includes statistics on crime and justice issues.Ref. HV 7245 .N37 Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics
Also located in Government Documents.Published by the Bureau of Statistics annually. It brings together in one source statistical information about crime and criminal justice that is published by more than 100 sources - public and private agencies, academic institutions, research organizations, public opinion polling firms, etc. In order to be included in the Sourcebooks data must be national in scope, and where possible, it is displayed by city, region or state. The data must also be collected according to sound data collection methods.
National Archive of Criminal Justice Data
Online at http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/NACJD/index.html
NACJD acquires, archives, processes, and provides access to electronic criminal justice data collections for research and instruction. The NACJD Web site provides downloadable access to hundreds of criminal justice data collections free of charge.Uniform Crime Reports
Online at http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm
Provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
World Factbook of Criminal Justice Systems
Online at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/wfcj.htm
Published by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics. This resource provides narrative descriptions of the criminal justice systems of countries around the world.
Federal Sentencing Statistics by State
Online at http://www.ussc.gov/linktojp.htm
Published by the U.S. Sentencing CommissionStatistical Resources on the Web
Online at http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/stats.html
From the University of Michigan, provides links to online statistical resources in such broad categories as crime, and also links to very specific topics, such as car-jackings.Ref. HN 90 .V5 S833 1996 Statistical Handbook on Violence in America
Presents statistics on violent crime and its victims.
Internet Gateways & Collections
- NCJRS (National Criminal Justice Reference Service) Abstracts Database
Recommended
http://abstractsdb.ncjrs.org/content/AbstractsDB_Search.asp
Contains summaries of more than 160,000 criminal justice publications, including Federal, State, and local government reports, books, research reports, journal articles, and unpublished research. - NCJRS (National Criminal Justice Reference Service) Full Text Database
Recommended
http://fulltextpubs.ncjrs.org/content/FullTextPubs.html
Allows you to search only the full-text documents from NCJRS. - Cornell's Legal Information Institute
http://www.law.cornell.edu/
Provides comprehensive links to law-related sites, including criminal codes, criminal procedures, etc. FindLaw: Criminal Law
http://www.findlaw.com/01topics/09criminal/
Gateway to laws, journals, mailing lists, government agencies and other information on criminal law.Hieros Gamos: Guide to Criminal Law
http://www.hg.org/crime.html
Gateway to information on supranational organizations, national regimes, discussion groups, publications and other resources.American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section
http://www.abanet.org/crimjust/
Gateway to information on criminal justice information.Justice Technology Information Network (JUSTNET)
http://www.justnet.org
Serves as a gateway to the products and services of the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NCLECTC) which provides law enforcement, corrections, and court professionals with information on technology used in law enforcement and corrections. Many full-text resources here.
Prepared by Wendy Moorhead
Updated 12/7/2009