THE SYSTEM IS COMPOSED OF REFERRAL AGENCIES, REPORTERS, PANELS, DISPOSALS (PERSONS WHO MAKE DECISIONS AT HEARINGS), AND CHILDREN. REFERRAL AGENTS INCLUDE THE POLICE, SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENTS, SCHOOLS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, BUT THERE IS LITTLE RESEARCH ON HOW THE REFERRAL PROCESS TAKES PLACE. REPORTERS ACT AS SIFTING AGENTS THROUGH THE USE OF VOLUNTARY SUPERVISION AND OTHER ACTIONS, THEY INFLUENCE REFERRAL AGENTS AND PANELS. THERE IS A NEED FOR INFORMATION ON RELATIONSHIPS AMONG PANELS, REPORTERS, AND ORGANIZATIONS OUTSIDE THE SYSTEM. SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENTS PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE SYSTEM AT VARIOUS STAGES. MORE RESEARCH IS NEEDED ON THEIR ROLE IN VOLUNTARY AND COMPULSORY SUPERVISION AND ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES AND ON WHAT ACTIONS ARE TAKEN BY SOCIAL WORKERS BEFORE PREPARING BACKGROUND REPORTS ON CHILDREN. A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE CONTENT, STRUCTURE, AND FINDINGS OF INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH EFFORTS CONCERNING THE SYSTEM IS GIVEN. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (DEP)