35 Criminal Justice Topics for Students

As long as there have been legal systems, criminal justice has played a role in societies around the world. Like many aspects of the legal system, criminal justice is constantly evolving, and researchers earning doctoral degrees in criminal justice are at the cutting edge.

What Is a PhD in Criminal Justice?

A PhD in Criminal Justice can prepare graduates for a number of positions, including police chief, corrections facility director, professor, and research consultant.¹

At Walden University, students pursuing a PhD in Criminal Justice can choose the General Program or one of several specializations:

• Emergency Management
• Public Management and Leadership
• Global Leadership
• Online Teaching in Higher Education
• Homeland Security Policy and Coordination
• Law and Public Policy
• Justice Administration

The courses you take and the area you research depend largely on the specialization you choose. However, all online PhD students in criminal justice at Walden complete research and present dissertations.

Thirty-Five Criminal Justice Research Topics for Your PhD in Criminal Justice

Don’t let the idea of writing a dissertation discourage you from earning a PhD in Criminal Justice. Criminal justice is a constantly evolving field with interesting areas to study. Furthermore, the research you conduct during the doctoral writing process has the potential to influence decision-makers and prompt changes in the legal system.

Below are just some of the interesting topics in criminology and criminal justice that might inspire you as you decide on your own dissertation subject. When deciding what is a good criminal justice topic, in addition to reviewing the list below, you could consider questions like:

• What are the most controversial topics in criminal justice?
• What are the most important issues in criminal justice?
• What are current problems with the criminal justice system?

1. The relationship between police and people of different backgrounds. Do body cameras reduce police violence? Is police violence against people of color accurately represented in media coverage? How do perceptions of police impact public safety?
2. The reliability of eyewitness testimony. Do eyewitnesses provide accurate testimony? Should their statements be allowed in court?
3. Methods for preventing international drug trafficking. What methods do drug traffickers use to smuggle illegal substances into a country? How do law enforcement officials react, and what should they do differently?
4. Crime during emergencies. Does crime spike during certain types of public emergencies, such as weather events? If so, how can emergency management professionals prevent it?
5. Gender disparity in the criminal justice system. Why are men more likely to get the death penalty? In what ways are women treated unfairly?
6. The impact of solitary confinement. How does solitary confinement impact people in prisons? Are they more likely to reoffend? Does the threat of solitary confinement work as a deterrent?
7. The efficacy of drug courts. In what ways do drug courts help or hurt people with addictions? How should drug courts change during the opioid crisis?
8. Ethical and legal issues in international intervention. When should the United States intervene in crises in other countries?
9. The impact of mandatory minimum sentencing on the criminal justice system. Do mandatory minimum sentences deter crime or encourage recidivism? What kinds of biases exist in these laws? What could be done differently?
10. The impact of prison on children of incarcerated individuals. Who cares for children of incarcerated people? How does foster and kinship care affect these children?
11. The effectiveness of community policing in reducing crime rates. Are there any specific types of crimes or communities where community policing has been particularly effective or ineffective? What are the challenges and barriers that law enforcement agencies face when implementing community policing strategies? How does community policing impact community trust and relations between law enforcement and the public?
12. The use of technology in criminal investigations and law enforcement. What ethical and legal considerations surround the use of surveillance technologies, facial recognition, and other data collection methods in criminal investigations, and how are these issues being addressed by law enforcement agencies? What are the advantages and challenges of integrating emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, into criminal investigations and law enforcement operations?
13. Juvenile justice: rehabilitation vs. punishment. What is the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs versus punitive measures in reducing juvenile reoffending and promoting reintegration into society? How do ethical and moral considerations inform policies and practices in different jurisdictions?
14. The role of forensic evidence in solving crimes. What are the limitations and challenges associated with the collection, analysis, and interpretation of forensic evidence? In what ways does the presentation of forensic evidence in court influence the legal proceedings? What is the role of forensic experts as witnesses?
15. The relationship between mental illness and criminal behavior. To what extent does mental illness contribute to criminal behavior? How do various mental health disorders influence the types of crimes committed?
16. The challenges of prosecuting and preventing cybercrime. How do jurisdiction issues impact cybercrime investigation and prosecution? What is the role of international cooperation and legislation in addressing cybercrime?
17. Restorative justice: a viable alternative to traditional punitive measures? What is the efficacy of restorative justice programs in reducing recidivism, promoting offender accountability, and fostering victim satisfaction compared to traditional punitive approaches? What are the challenges and ethical considerations in implementing restorative justice within the criminal justice system?
18. The role of private prisons in the criminal justice system. How have private prisons influenced incarceration rates, sentencing practices, and prison management over time? How does the performance and cost-effectiveness of private prisons compare to publicly operated correctional facilities?
19. The influence of media on public perception of crime and the criminal justice system. What are the potential consequences of sensationalism and bias in media coverage of crime? How do the media affect the fairness of trials, the criminalization of certain groups, and public support for law enforcement and criminal justice reform?
20. The role of DNA profiling in criminal investigations. How does the quality and quantity of DNA evidence impact its utility in investigations? How do issues such as privacy, data storage, and chain of custody affect the collection and analysis of DNA evidence?
21. White-collar crime: investigation and prosecution. How are complex financial schemes investigated? What are the implications of leniency and plea bargaining in white-collar crime cases, and how do these practices impact deterrence, justice, and public perception of corporate misconduct?
22. The role of criminal profiling in criminal investigations. How does criminal profiling contribute to the identification, apprehension, and understanding of offenders? How can profiling be employed effectively while upholding individual rights and minimizing bias or misuse?
23. The role of social media in criminal investigations and prevention. What are the privacy and ethical considerations associated with using social media in criminal investigations, and how do they impact the rights of individuals and the admissibility of evidence in court? How can community engagement, awareness campaigns, and other crime preventive measures be enhanced through social media?
24. Police accountability and transparency: implications for the criminal justice system. How do accountability and transparency in law enforcement influence public trust in the criminal justice system? What are the best practices for promoting police accountability and transparency? How can these be implemented to improve oversight and investigative procedures in cases of misconduct or abuse?
25. The use of alternative dispute resolution in criminal cases. How does the implementation of alternative dispute resolution methods impact the criminal justice system's efficiency and caseload? How can conflicts between restorative justice principles and traditional punitive measures be resolved?
26. The role of education and vocational training in prisoner rehabilitation. Do educational and vocational programs in correctional facilities contribute to reducing recidivism rates and improving inmates’ chances of successful reintegration into society? How can issues of access to quality education and training be addressed?
27. The effectiveness of sex offender registration and notification laws. How do issues of stigma, public safety, and legal rights intersect with the implementation and enforcement of sex offender registration and notification laws? What are the legal concerns surrounding the retroactive application of such laws?
28. The role of criminal justice policies in reducing gang-related crime. What policies and strategies have been most effective in reducing gang-related crime? Do they address the root causes of gang involvement and violence?
29. The challenges of investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases. How do coordination efforts between local, national, and international law enforcement agencies impact the success of human trafficking investigations and prosecutions? What support services, legal protections, and training programs are needed to prosecute human trafficking cases and ensure the safety and recovery of survivors?
30. The impact of the Fourth Amendment on law enforcement practices. What are the practical implications of evolving technologies, such as surveillance systems and digital data collection, on the application of the Fourth Amendment? How do these challenges affect law enforcement and privacy rights?
31. The relationship between gun control policies and crime rates. What is the evidence regarding the impact of gun control policies, such as background checks, waiting periods, and assault weapon bans, on firearm-related crime rates? How do these effects vary across states or countries with differing levels of regulation?
32. The use of risk assessment tools in sentencing and parole decisions. What are the implications for addressing disparities and biases in the criminal justice system? How can the accuracy and fairness of risk assessment tools be improved? What measures can be taken to ensure that they contribute to the overall goal of public safety and rehabilitation?
33. The role of criminal justice agencies in addressing cyberbullying. What measures and initiatives can law enforcement implement to address cyberbullying? How do evolving laws and policies accommodate free speech and the protection of individuals from cyberbullying in the digital age?
34. The impact of mandatory arrest policies in domestic violence cases. How do mandatory arrest policies influence law enforcement responses to domestic violence incidents? What are the potential unintended consequences of mandatory arrest policies?
35. The relationship between unemployment and crime rates. What are the geographical and demographic variations in the relationship between unemployment and crime rates? How do these variations inform targeted intervention and prevention strategies?

The need for leaders in the criminal justice field is best met with highly knowledgeable and skilled professionals who are passionate about making our world a better place. If you’re ready to earn your PhD in Criminal Justice, Walden is ready to help. Walden’s flexible online format allows you to complete your coursework when it is most convenient for you.

Explore Walden University's online PhD in Criminal Justice degree program and position yourself for success. Earn your online degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your life and schedule.

¹Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.