NCIC Database
General June 27th, 2009The NCIC belongs to the FBI and is a computerized system of criminal records. The system can be accessed 24 hours a day by any local, state or federal law enforcement agency and was originally created to assist local law enforcement personnel in apprehending interstate fugitives and locating stolen property. It has been expanded to include criminal history information in eleven specific categories, including records of convicted sex offenders, foreign fugitives, identity theft, missing persons, gang and terrorist organizations, fingerprint data, unidentified persons, and wanted persons.
The information in the NCIC system is electronically collected from the computer systems of law enforcement agencies nationwide in a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and participating law enforcement agencies. However, not all information available through the NCIC system is housed within it.
Another part of the NCIC network is the Interstate Identification Index (III). This Index allows a law enforcement agency automated access to all information regarding an individual’s criminal history that is within the records of any law enforcement agency in the NCIC network. Therefore, when a law enforcement agency conducts an NCIC criminal background check using the NCIC III, it is accessing both criminal history information held by NCIC and criminal history information held by local law enforcement agencies nationwide.
NCIC III information is not necessarily collected or held within the NCIC system, instead, the system simply provides a mechanism which allows one law enforcement agency to search and access records held by law enforcement agencies nationwide. Some NCIC III information may be duplicated within the NCIC system inasmuch as that information is necessary to meet the requirements for criminal history information in the eleven specific categories of records collected and held by NCIC.
Incorrect information from an NCIC background check is possible. The NCIC has security measures that verify accuracy and ensure integrity of its data. Participating law enforcement agencies must periodically validate their records and undergo periodic audits that check for data quality and compliance with security provisions.
An NCIC criminal background check on a person does not always mean that person is suspected of criminal activities. One example, you want to buy a firearm and thus must consent to an NCIC background check. Employers often require prospective employees to consent to NCIC background checks to find out if the job applicants are in compliance with immigration requirements and authorized to work in this country.
Only law enforcement agencies and authorized private entities may access the NCIC database. Law enforcement and criminal justice entities may conduct NCIC checks on private individuals – without their consent – in fulfillment of law enforcement functions such as the investigation or prosecution of persons suspected of criminal activities. Any private person may request to get access to his or her own criminal history data; however, private person’s or entities will not get access to third party information without the written consent of the third party.
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