Research Starter

Here are some of the most useful sources for criminal justice and tips to start your research.

Search Engines

Reference Works

Reference works are good places to start research for an overview of or quick information on a topic.

Frequently-Used Databases

Any print books related to criminal justice topics are likely to be located in the following Library of Congress call number areas:

• H: Social Sciences (General).
• HM: Sociology (General).
• HN: Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform.
• HQ: The family. Marriage. Women.
• HT: Communities. Classes. Races.
• HV: Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology.
• K: Law in general. Comparative and uniform law. Jurisprudence.
• KF: Law of the United States.
• KFN 7401-7999: [Law of] North Carolina.
• KFT 1-599: [Law of] Tennessee.

This orientation module is focused on Criminal Justice resources.  For a general library orientation, please choose one of the location-based orientations on the library's Orientations page.