THE HANDBOOK DESCRIBES A SYSTEMATIC PROCESS TO HELP AGENCIES IDENTIFY THEIR NEEDS FOR IMPROVED INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TO IDENTIFY ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE MOST FEASIBLE SYSTEMS. THE TEXT PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS, DESCRIBES THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, AND IDENTIFIES OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ASSIST IN THE PLANNING OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS. APPENDIXES INCLUDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CONTACTS, AN ANNOTATED REFERENCE LIST, A GLOSSARY, REFERENCES CITED IN THE TEXT, AND AN EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED).