Dictionaries give brief definitions of unfamiliar words, terms, and acronyms.
                    
        
            Online Dictionary of the Social Sciences
        
        
        
                    
        
                
                            
        
        
        
        
        
                
                            
                    
        
            The Sage Dictionary of Criminology
        
        
        
                    
        
                
                            
        
        
                    
                    
        
            Dictionnaire de la violence et du crime (French)
        
        
        
                    
        
                
                            
        
        
                    Encyclopedias are useful for acquiring basic background information on a topic and are valuable places to start your research.
                    
        
            Encyclopedia of Crime & Justice
        
        
        
                    
        
                
                            
        
        
                    
                    
        
            Encyclopedia of Criminology and Deviant Behavior