OneDOJ is a central database that allows local law enforcement in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

to search and read federal criminal cases. This database holds records on cases, criminal investigations,

criminal history A criminal record, police record, or colloquially RAP sheet (Record of Arrests and Prosecutions) is a record of a person's criminal history. The information included in a criminal record and the existence of a criminal record varies between coun ...

, and personal details of other persons.

Software

The software took about 18 months to develop. In 2006 it had about 1,000,000 entries, and was expected to triple by 2009. The software was inspired by the September 11th terrorist attack on

the United States of America The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

. A memo that came out December 21, 2006 urged officials to put an aggressive plan into action to bring this database alive and current. In addition a committee was created to speed up the development of this database. since the development, local agencies can request access to this database, which will allow them to view federal, and other state police files. Many federal agencies contribute to this database which include the

Drug Enforcement Administration The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA; ) is a Federal law enforcement in the United States, United States federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Justice tasked with combating drug trafficking and distribution within th ...

Federal Bureau of Investigation The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency. Operating under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice, ...

Bureau of Prisons The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is a United States federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Justice that is responsible for the care, custody, and control of incarcerated individuals who have committed federal crimes; that i ...

ATF The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), commonly referred to as the ATF, is a domestic law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice. Its responsibilities include the investigation and preven ...

, and various other local agencies. This database also allows agencies to keep ownership of their files.

Criticism

The OneDOJ has run into some criticism. One person from the

Civil Liberties Civil liberties are guarantees and freedoms that governments commit not to abridge, either by constitution, legislation, or judicial interpretation, without due process. Though the scope of the term differs between countries, civil liberties may ...

Union said, "Raw police files or FBI reports can never be verified and can never be corrected." Another concern is files and reports entered may have information on a person who hasn't been accused, arrested or charged.

Security concerns

Many civil liberty organizations are concerned that the database is a privacy threat. The database includes information about suspects in federal cases, that local agencies get full access to. Another security concern was brought up, because false information could be entered into the database, possibly diminishing the person's record, or giving the police a false lead. Officials say that all the information that is in the OneDOJ is already in another database that has a chance of being leaked, and the database is just making it easier for local agencies to come together to solve a crime. Part of the fear may come from a congressional committee giving the

Department of Justice A justice ministry, ministry of justice, or department of justice is a ministry or other government agency in charge of the administration of justice. The ministry or department is often headed by a minister of justice (minister for justice in a v ...

a "D" on computer security in 2007.

References

{{Reflist United States Department of Justice Law enforcement databases in the United States