Information Provided:  

Profiles include address and physical information with clear photos. No explicit risk level is specified, but Offender Type allows you to draw your own conclusions based on how many years the offender is required to register. Home, work and school addresses are listed with a convenient mapping button for each.

Offense information includes the legal term for the offense, conviction county, date and state. No details are revealed regarding the offense itself like the age of the victim, which can be helpful in assessing risk level. 

Search Functions:  

The Indiana Sex Offender Registry search function is divided into four different search boxes, three of which pertain to geographic location. The fourth box allows you to search by first and last name, age range and date of birth. Results appear on an interactive map coded by type of address for Sex Offenders (home, work or school) and Indiana Violent Offenders are coded in red.

You cannot search by risk level or offense. Because Indiana identifies its Sexually Violent Offenders, a search resulting in only violent offenders would make a simple and useful addition to this site. 

Additional Site Features:  

The interactive map offers more options than maps found on other states’ sites: icons are detailed, zoom function is flexible, and you may opt to see the area you selected in the context of a larger map.

The link to Zachary’s law lets you know exactly which offenses are included on the website—information often missing on lower ranked registries. You can print a map easily and register for email notification. 

Ease of Use:  

Search windows, simple directions and color-coding all contribute to this site’s usability. It’s easy to navigate. Screens are well organized and information is distributed across tabbed windows. Indiana sets the standard for designing a site that is both informative and easy to use. 

Contact Information:  

You can contact the Indiana Sheriff’s Association by phone or through email. They responded to our email in a timely manner with helpful information. 

The State of Indiana’s Sex and Violent Offender Registry offers one of the best mapping features in the country. The site is easy to use, provides relevant information in an understandable format, and most importantly, puts the safety concerns of its communities on top.