The use of simulation modeling in criminal justice dates back to the 1970s. Early models were developed to capture the realities of the criminal justice system, to identify what changes were needed, and how small changes would affect the overall picture. Significant time and effort were devoted to these projects and although they achieved some success, the complex nature of the criminal justice system and the difficulties associated with improving and maintaining the models prohibited wide spread adoption in the field. Some of the problems with early simulation projects were the lack of data to validate models, the lack of technical skills needed by staff to design and build the models, and the technical difficulties with software programming to transform models into computerized representations. As simulation modeling has becoming a more popular technique across many disciplines, and technology as well as the technical skills of researchers has improved, this book revisits the concept of simulation modeling with new applications for the criminal justice system. The wider availability of data has made for more opportunity to verify and validate models; computing software has become more available and easier to use; and the capacity for visualization and communication of models shows promise for the future of simulation in criminal justice. The time has come to examine the past, present, and future contributions of simulation modeling to the field of criminal justice. This work provides a central resource of information for the current state of simulation modeling, and overview of existing techniques and cases of success, and directions for future development. This work will be an important resource for researchers in criminal justice and related fields, as well as those studying policy-related topics.

The use of simulation modeling in criminal justice dates back to the 1970s. Early models were developed to capture the realities of the criminal justice system, to identify what changes were needed, and how small changes would affect the overall picture. Significant time and effort were devoted to these projects and although they achieved some success, the complex nature of the criminal justice system and the difficulties associated with improving and maintaining the models prohibited wide spread adoption in the field. Some of the problems with early simulation projects were the lack of data to validate models, the lack of technical skills needed by staff to design and build the models, and the technical difficulties with software programming to transform models into computerized representations.
As simulation modeling has becoming a more popular technique across many disciplines, and technology as well as the technical skills of researchers has improved, this book revisits the concept of simulation modeling with new applications for the criminal justice system. The wider availability of data has made for more opportunity to verify and validate models; computing software has become more available and easier to use; and the capacity for visualization and communication of models shows promise for the future of simulation in criminal justice.
The time has come to examine the past, present, and future contributions of simulation modeling to the field of criminal justice. This work provides a central resource of information for the current state of simulation modeling, and overview of existing techniques and cases of success, and directions for future development. This work will be an important resource for researchers in criminal justice and related fields, as well as those studying policy-related topics."

How has information technology changed the way we monitor criminal behavior? How has it changed the way we examine patterns of criminal behavior? How have criminal justice organizations adapted to using information technology? What is the future of information in criminal justice? There have been many technical, analytical, legal, and organizational issues related to advances in computer and information technology over the past several decades. Given the substantial investments that federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies are making in information technology, they now consider it an integral component of understanding how our criminal justice system works. Information Technology and the Criminal Justice System suggests that information technology in criminal justice will continue to challenge us to think about how we turn information into knowledge, who can use that knowledge, and for what purposes. In this text, editor April Pattavina synthesizes the growing body of research in information technology and criminal justice. Contributors examine what has been learned from past experiences, what the current state of IT is in various components of the criminal justice system, and what challenges lie ahead. Key Features Covers a broad array of topics, including IT development and applications in organizations, data quality issues, legal issues, and criminal justice education Spans a variety of criminal justice agencies including courts, police, and corrections Includes contributors renowned in the field of criminal justice information systems Incorporates case studies to enhance students' understanding of real-life situations Information Technology and the Criminal Justice System is recommended for upper level undergraduate and graduate level courses in Criminal Justice departments, including Information Technology and Criminal Justice; Criminal Justice Data Analysis; Crime Analysis; Technology and Criminal Justice; and Technology and Society. This book is also an excellent resource for professionals in the field.

How has information technology changed the way we monitor criminal behavior? How has it changed the way we examine patterns of criminal behavior? How have criminal justice organizations adapted to using information technology? What is the future of information in criminal justice? There have been many technical, analytical, legal, and organizational issues related to advances in computer and information technology over the past several decades. Given the substantial investments that federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies are making in information technology, they now consider it an integral component of understanding how our criminal justice system works. Information Technology and the Criminal Justice System suggests that information technology in criminal justice will continue to challenge us to think about how we turn information into knowledge, who can use that knowledge, and for what purposes. In this text, editor April Pattavina synthesizes the growing body of research in information technology and criminal justice. Contributors examine what has been learned from past experiences, what the current state of IT is in various components of the criminal justice system, and what challenges lie ahead. Key Features Covers a broad array of topics, including IT development and applications in organizations, data quality issues, legal issues, and criminal justice education Spans a variety of criminal justice agencies including courts, police, and corrections Includes contributors renowned in the field of criminal justice information systems Incorporates case studies to enhance students' understanding of real-life situations Information Technology and the Criminal Justice System is recommended for upper level undergraduate and graduate level courses in Criminal Justice departments, including Information Technology and Criminal Justice; Criminal Justice Data Analysis; Crime Analysis; Technology and Criminal Justice; and Technology and Society. This book is also an excellent resource for professionals in the field.