101+ Top Notch Criminal Justice Research Topics

According to statistics, criminal justice assignments are among the most difficult assignments. Criminal justice writing requires accuracy and appropriate sources that back up your ideas and arguments. The first step to writing a good research paper is finding a good topic. Good criminal justice research topics are hard to come by but with in-depth research and intention, there is always a topic worth exploring.

In this article, we will go over several topics in the criminal justice field. Additionally, we will offer a simple guideline on how to write a research paper.

What are the 6 major areas of criminology?

A course in criminology is designed to develop a student’s ability to think creatively, logically, and critically. By the end of the course students should have the following technical skills to apply in the field:

• Understand the origins and causes of crime
• Analyze and interpret criminal data
• Examine non-violent and violent crimes
• Understand the role of different social institutions in the criminal justice system
• Understand criminal psychology

Here are the main areas of study for a criminology major:

• Criminal law

Criminal law is a classification of laws that are concerned with punishing persons who commit crimes. Crimes are generally categorized into two, felonies and misdemeanors. The third type of crime is a fine-only offense.

• Forensic psychology

Forensic psychology is the study of criminal behavior. Forensic psychologists’ main work is to profile criminals based on common psychological behaviors. They work together with law enforcement and legal officers.

• Criminal psychology

Criminal psychology is the study of thoughts, intentions, and actions of individuals participating in criminal behavior. Criminal psychologists largely interact with court systems to explain criminal behavior.

• Societal reactions to crime

This is the study of how members of society react to crimes. It looks at aspects such as over-criminalization and decriminalization of certain crimes.

• Crime prevention

Crime prevention is the strengthening of the rule of law to avert crime and the promotion of fair criminal justice systems. Crime control saves money and lives that otherwise be invested in punishment. There are four approaches to crime prevention: deterrence, retribution, incarceration, and rehabilitation.

• Sociology

The sociology of crime is the study of the creation, violation, and implementation of criminal laws. Criminologists often emphasize the sociological explanation for the basis of crimes.

Criminal justice research proposal topics

Criminal justice mainly consists of but is not limited to law enforcement. Proposal topics are concepts that you may want to explore in criminal justice for your research paper. To ensure your work remains unique, go over different research proposals and projects to see what had been done in the field. Check a list of criminal justice research topics:

1. Analysis of a criminal’s behavior from early life influences
2. Discuss migration policies across the world
3. Research on improving prisoner risk assessment
4. Comparative analysis: the fate of minors stuck in between the borders of Greece and Turkey
5. Analytic research paper on the correlation between crime and aggression
6. Discuss torture as a violation of human rights
7. Is criminal behavior nature or nature?
8. Are dysfunctional families the root cause of crime in society?
9. Define the relationship between mental health and violence
10. A comprehensive analysis on prevention measures utilized by law enforcement on human trafficking
11. Depression and suicide: what role do the internet and mental health problems play in contributing to them?
12. Theory of rational choice: validate or invalidate the theory
13. Comparative analysis on the effects of the death penalty and normalizing imprisonment has on society
14. Address issues surrounding violent and bias policing
15. What could be done globally to reduce the number of prisoners?
16. Can criminal profiling help reduce the crime rate of a city?
17. Discuss various crime prevention technologies deployed in public spaces such as parks
18. Comparative research: the correlation between terrorism, counter-terrorism, and gender
19. Deviance amongst adolescents within family and society
20. Do victims ever fully participate in the International Criminal Court?
21. Is aggression an indicator that someone is likely to commit a crime in the future?
22. The variation of capital punishment among men and women
23. Discuss strain theory
24. What could be the most significant motives for kidnapping?
25. Discuss strategies on crime prevention

Criminal justice research topics for college students

Criminal justice is quite a popular course in college with loads of students wanting to join the field. Here is a list of criminal justice research topics for criminal justice for college research:

26. The effectiveness of drunk driving prevention ads
27. Effects of identity theft and social media on individuals and society
28. The role and responsibilities of incarcerated parents
29. Comparative research: characteristics of organized crime versus single cases
30. Correctional methods of cybercrime
31. Aspects of aggression towards homeless people

Criminal justice research paper topics

A research paper is an explanation of your findings after studying a topic in-depth. Below is a list of research paper topics for criminal justice:

32. Key contradictions in social class and crime
33. Gender neutrality versus gender responsiveness
34. The correlation between criminal justice and social anthropology
35. The correlation between criminal justice and social cohesion

Criminal justice topics

Below are some interesting topics that might inspire you to settle on a criminal justice subject. You can use these research topics to come up with your topic ideas:

36. Destructive brain chemistry: can the human brain increase crime
37. The theory of self-control
38. Types and classes of sex offenses
39. The roles and responsibilities of the police in society
40. Theoretical integration
41. Theft and shoplifting
42. Discuss the major causes of victimization
43. What is the effectiveness of parole?
44. Discuss the fairness of extradition law
45. Jack the ripper: was the real serial killer caught?

Criminal justice essay topics

Criminal justice is a broad subject. Rarely would you lack something to write on an essay concerning it? Here are several  criminal justice research topic ideas:

46. Justice and systematic bias
47. World practices in racial profiling
48. Corporate crime: an investigation of ruling class criminals
49. The implications of hate crime in the justice system
50. Crime in the field of genetics
51. Methods of mitigating and deterring crime
52. Do street lights modulate crime?
53. A look at problem-solving courts
54. Classification of offenders
55. Offender re-entry

Criminological research topics

Criminological research lays emphasis on the causes and consequences of victimization, delinquency, and crime. Here is a list of criminal justice research topics for your research:

56. Classical criminology
57. An analysis of crime reports and statistics
58. Symbolic interaction and labeling theories
59. Is crime embedded in our genes: biological criminology
60. How can we protect children from stalking and cyberbullying?
61. The laws of parental abduction: an analytic approach
62. Debate on the Harm principle
63. Cultural transmission theory
64. Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) and Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN)
65. A summary of feminist criminology

Good research topics for criminal justice

Students often have a problem coming up with good topics for their research papers. Below is a list of criminal justice research topics open for exploration:

66. Mass incarceration and social control
67. Problematic issues in USA society
68. The role of social institutions in fulfilling criminal justice
69. Discuss moral panic as an ordinary issue or a new danger to society
70. The role of criminal justice in curbing social engineering
71. Discuss the consequences of public shootings
72. Coercion and monetary fines imposed by the Western world in African countries
73. The advantages and disadvantages of surveillance cameras
74. Guilt society as a form of mind control
75. Discuss various modes of punishments for offenders in the modern world

Topics in criminal justice

Criminal justice as a branch of law enforcement has a lot to write about for your assignment. Below are some interesting research topics that might inspire you:

76. Criminological research: stages and methods
77. Personality deformation of juvenile offenders
78. Criminological analysis of cyber identity criminals
79. Statistical analysis of domestic violence and murders
80. Conservatism in the sphere of US politics
81. An analysis of the criminal justice system in China
82. The criminal justice system in UAE
83. Use of DNA technology in the criminal justice system
84. Demerits of the adversarial system
85. Elements of group pride in the criminal justice system

Criminal justice thesis topics

A thesis is an academic paper presented by a student on research in their field of study. Here are a few criminal justice research topics for thesis papers:

86. Discuss the efficiency of the current justice system and suggest some reforms where there are judicial gaps
87. What is the role of private companies in the justice system?
88. Describe the change that would occur in the justice system if drugs were legalized
89. Do prisoners need their rights to be obliged?
90. Does international lawfully address war crimes?
91. What is the role of the media in assisting law enforcement in crime prevention?
92. Describe aspects of discrimination of ethnic and racial minorities in the criminal justice system
93. The role of prosecutors and defenders in the criminal justice system
94. Is capital punishment a useful tool in deterring crime?
95. Describe the portrayal of the criminal justice system in mass media
96. Discuss the role of public policy in the criminal justice system

Controversial criminal justice topics

Criminal justice is filled with controversy on certain issues where people have mixed feelings or don’t quite unanimously agree. Here are a few common controversial criminal justice research topics for research:

97. Mental hospitals and law codes
98. The influence of boot camps on youth offenders
99. Characteristics of the prison-industrial complex
100. Aspects of prostitution and human trafficking
101. Elements of racial bias in criminal investigations in the United States
102. Sniffer dog practice
103. Parents are responsible for the crimes of their children
104. Ethics of legalizing prostitution
105. Is it ethical for hiring companies to go over employee backgrounds?
106. Is gun control the way to curb gun violence?
107. Are body cameras useful in law enforcement?
108. The correlation between financial crimes and terrorism
109. Criminalization of poverty
110. Private prisons
111. Correctional strategies: reform or punishment?
112. Trends in arms and drug trafficking in the modern world
113. Discuss the influence of contemporary music: hip hop, rap, and rock on crime
114. The importance of eyewitness evidence in criminal justice
115. The causes of college violence
116. Forms of violence: pornography
117. Solitary confinement

Current criminal justice issues

Criminal justice is an ever-evolving field. Current trends in criminal justice suggest an evolution of crimes and criminal behavior. Here is a list of suggested latest research topics:

118. Trends of digital evidence in a criminal investigation
119. Gang identity
120. The connection of Nigerian nationals and online fraud
121. Transitional justice
122. Trends and aspects of domestic violence
123. Trends and prevention strategies of workplace harassment
124. Legal investigations: characteristics of gender bias
125. Civil crimes versus war crimes
126. The correlation between cultural qualities and religious offenses
127. Modern traits of power abuse among police officers
128. Organized and how to prevent it
129. Crime witnesses: rehabilitation for ADHD and PTSD witnesses

Criminal justice term paper topics

A term paper is an academic research paper written by a student over the course of the term or semester. It should showcase all that you have learned in the criminal justice field throughout the semester. A complete  list of latest criminal justice research topics:

130. Mitigation of music piracy
131. Effects of imprisonment: a psychological approach
132. International conflict: deployment of child soldiers
133. Offenses catalyzed by immigration
134. Identification and prevention of white-collar crime
135. Importance of legalizing cannabis Sativa
136. Foundational principles of crime theory
137. Police brutality and social order: criminal justice perspective
138. Crime among military and ex-military personnel
139. Developing nations: violation of human rights
140. The restorative justice process
141. Features (advantages and disadvantages) of adoption and abortion

Criminal investigation topics

Criminal investigation entails a collection of methods by which crimes are studied and criminals are placed in custody. There are three methods for investigation: comparative, descriptive, and experimental. Here are a few criminal justice research topics:

142. Police investigation and questioning methods
143. Fingerprint investigation analysis
144. Criminal investigation: computer forensics
145. Foundational principles of crime scene investigation and evidence cataloging
146. Evidence and motives of arson
147. Using global positioning system (GPS) for crime investigation
148. Exclusionary rules and expectations
149. Presentation of physical evidence in criminal justice
150. The demerits of obtaining a DNA sample illegally
151. Witness interview and interrogation
152. Duties of the first officer at a crime scene
153. Arson investigation techniques
154. Prosecution procedure of computer crime
155. Investigation and reporting of sexual assaults
156. Steps to family debriefing after the death of a victim of crime
157. An operational intelligence assessment system
158. Alternative forms of evidence: forensic odontology
159. Types of death in a criminal investigation
160. White lies by police officers in the criminal investigation
161. The role of detectives in the investigation
162. The significance of graphology and handwriting exercise

Law enforcement research topics

Law enforcement is a unit of people who implement laws, do investigations and conduct arrests. Mostly, law enforcement is comprised of police officers.

163. Modern law enforcement and the constitution
164. The controversy of police entrapment
165. The ramifications of using deadly force on society
166. Observation and interviews of fieldwork in criminology
167. The significance of fingerprints in an investigation
168. The foundations of police ethics in society
169. Techniques of preventing latent crime
170. The concept and typology of identifying a criminal

Criminal justice dissertation ideas

Writing a dissertation on criminal justice is a difficult task. Here are a few suggestions that you may want to consider for research:

171. Is terrorism caused by religious ideologies?
172. Comparative analysis of diseases, crime, and natural diseases and their effect on society
173. Is the education system doing justice to shaping good morals and character?
174. What is the role of society and school in preventing child abuse?
175. Discuss the possibility of having a crime-free society
176. Are militia uprisings brought about by political tensions?
177. What is the difference between criminology and law enforcement?
178. The unspoken crime of male rape
179. Terrorist financing: are Islamic charities a source of funds for terrorism?
180. Was the Black Lives Matter movement seeking justice or a source of societal violence?
181. ‘The subjectivity of domestic violence on males
182. Social media as a major crime scene in modern society
183. Discuss the evolution of counterfeiting with the advent of innovation in technology
184. Discuss the portrayal of terrorism by the media
185. Serial killer contributing factors

Criminal justice research questions and hypotheses

A hypothesis is a proposed question awaiting validation or invalidation on further investigation. There are generally simple, complex, and null hypotheses.

186. What is the significance of due process in criminal justice?
187. How can marginalized communities and minority groups have swift access to justice?
188. Carrying a hidden weapon
189. Edge ethnography
190. Effectiveness of laws against stalking
191. Decriminalization and over-criminalization
192. Investigative analysis in prison rape and violence
193. Crime classification systems
194. Quantitative criminal justice
195. The controversy surrounding the legalization of prostitution

Criminal justice thesis topics

A thesis is a declarative statement that shows the position of a paper. It asserts the perspective of the writer on the topic under study. Here are several suggested criminal justice thesis topics:

196. The role of urban-city life in promoting school disorder
197. The influence of age, gender, and race in judicial sentencing decisions
198. Homicide trails among female serial killers
199. Stress and coping strategies among law enforcement personnel
200. When women kill
201. Examining health conditions among inmates in correctional facilities

Criminal justice thesis examples

Thesis examples are meant to give a student guideline on what to write on a certain topic. Here are some examples:

202. Describe the statistics of wrongful convictions in your country, what can be done to prevent this?
203. The correlation between drug use in the united states and the Mexican drug war. Can legalization improve violence and delinquency?
204. Is the criminal justice system accessible and effective?
205. Law enforcement perceptions on false accusations of sexual assault
206. Police brutality, a division of cooperation between citizens and police officers
207. Determining the best practices in hostage negotiations (HCN)
208. Causes and suggestions for improving under-reporting of sexual assaults
209. Gender disparities of the sentencing of drivers under the influence of alcohol or hard drugs
210. Rational choice and determinism: factors establishing why inmates offend

Criminal law paper topics

Criminal law is a classification of laws that are concerned with punishing persons who commit crimes. Below are several paper topic suggestions:

211. Methods of tracking trafficked drugs
212. The appeal process of the international criminal court (ICC)
213. List current international offenders and their crimes
214. Discuss when international intervention is merited
215. Iraq and Afghanistan: an analysis of NATO ethics
216. Violation of human rights in South Sudan
217. Witness protection programs
218. Major legislation topics of the 19^th century
219. Measures of preventing wildlife crime
220. Felon disenfranchisement
221. The elements of corruption in organized crime
222. War crimes perpetrated by America
223. Describe the role and responsibilities of drug courts

Criminology topics

Criminology is the study of crime and criminal behavior. In the recent past, great interest has developed in this field in trying to understand the nature of crime. Below is a list of criminology topics:

224. Limitations exposed to jailhouse informant’s
225. Punishment methods for animal cruelty
226. Protection techniques for sensitive information
227. Analysis on false confessions
228. Attorney honesty
229. Psychological effects of imprisonment
230. Describe the selection process of a jury
231. Abuse of authority by judicial officers
232. Policy issues among civilian review boards
233. Critical criminology
234. The correlation between unemployment and criminal acts
235. The correlation between emotional intelligence and crime
236. Art theft
237. Theory of cultural criminology

In summary

Criminal justice is one of the toughest disciplines to study. To find good criminal justice research topics, an in-depth research is required. You may pick any topic suggested in this article and use it for your research paper or use it to come up with a topic of your own.