Research is one of the cornerstones of the program at the College of Criminal Justice, with a focus on bringing research into practice in the field. Using evidence-based practices, we help agencies develop programs and initiatives to improve criminal justice systems not only in Texas but throughout the country and world.
Through our partnership with federal, state and local agencies, as well as private foundations, the College is making a difference in the study of crime and justice and coming up with proven solutions for success. Our studies are regularly published in peer-reviewed journals and used to develop model programs to address key issues.
Our research is made possible through grants and donations from a wide variety of sources, including national agencies, state departments. and local entities. Among some of our recent initiatives are:
- National Institute of Justice grants to study untested sexual assault kits, laboratory tests for synthetic drugs, DNA preservation in mass disasters and standards for human decomposition in death investigations.
- Texas Legislature funding for the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas to train law enforcement officials on emerging issues in daily operations, and the Crime Victims’ Institute to research developing trends involving victims in the state
- An Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives grant to determine the effectiveness of a national ballistics database
- An Environmental Protection Agency grant to train environmental officers to investigate and prosecute environmental crimes
- A Texas Department of Criminal Justice grant to evaluate the Windham School District for state inmates.
- Several county grants to examine the potential benefits of specialty courts for veterans, prostitution, defendants with mental illness and domestic violence cases
- A contract with the Houston Police Department to study the issue of eyewitness identification procedures in their agency.