How to Use the NCIC

NCIC or the National Crime Information Center is the centralized database in the United States that is utilized for tracking and recording crime related data and information. Maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Justice Information Services Division, the NCIC connects both the federal database itself with that of law enforcement agencies in the 50 states. NCIC legally may only be accessed by law enforcement officials for legitimate law enforcement or security related purposes. NCIC can be a useful tool not only as a record depository but in the investigation of alleged criminal activity as well, particularly when time is of the essence, as in a child abduction.

Things You'll Need

• Documentary materials to support a request for NCIC data and information.
• A state issued identification card.

Instructions

1. Develop a precise and clearly defined purpose for seeking access to NCIC data. Because only duly designated law enforcement officials appropriately can gain access to this information, make certain that you have a succinct and legally sufficient reason to make a request that such a governmental authority access relevant data through the NCIC system.

2. Compile supporting documentation or evidence. A law enforcement official is not likely to access the NCIC system to obtain data only on the word of a citizen. Rather, there needs to be not only a compelling reason for accessing this data but documentary or other types of evidence that supports such an inquiry.

3. Select the appropriate law enforcement agency to contact. A number of different law enforcement agencies can gain access to the data maintained within the NCIC system. These include a myriad of agencies on the national, state and local levels. The underlying reason for requesting law enforcement to access the NCIC will dictate which agency to contact. For example, in the event of a child abduction, the FBI, the state police as well as local law enforcement would all be appropriate avenues through which access to NCIC data.

4. Meet with an appropriate law enforcement official to outline and present supporting evidence regarding the necessity to access and obtain data via the NCIC system. Keep in mind that you need to make a very compelling argument and you need to present appropriate supporting evidence and documentation associated with such a request for information.

5. Understand that information within the NCIC may not always be 100 percent accurate. Therefore, you will want to verify any information you obtain through the NCIC. Since 2003, the FBI is not is required to ensure that the data in the registry is up to date let alone accurate. A number of organizations, including the Electronic Privacy Information Center, express concerns about the efficacy and reliability of data contained within the NCIC system at this point in time.

Tips & Warnings

• Obtaining information from NCIC that is not for legitimate law enforcement or security purposes can result in criminal charges. Even if a law enforcement official accesses data without a legitimate purpose related to a law enforcement or security related matter, criminal prosecution can occur. A civilian cannot legally access the NCIC database on his or her own.

References

• National Crime Information Center
• Electronic Privacy Information Center
• FBI Criminal Justice Information Services

Resources

• American Bar Association, Section of Criminal Justice