If you work in law enforcement, criminal justice, or related fields, you may have heard of the NCIC system. But what is it, and what kind of data does it store? In this guide, we will explain what the NCIC system is, what data contains CHRI within it, and how to access and read it.
What is CHRI, and what does it include?
CHRI stands for criminal history record information. It is the summary of an individual’s contacts with law enforcement agencies. It includes details of all arrests, convictions, sentences, parole violations, dismissals, and not-guilty verdicts. This data is stored in the NCIC system, which is a national database of criminal justice information.
CHRI is used for various purposes, such as background checks, licensing, security clearance, immigration, adoption, etc. It helps law enforcement agencies identify suspects, fugitives, witnesses, and victims. It also helps criminal justice agencies decide on bail, sentencing, probation, parole, and rehabilitation.
What are the types of files in the NCIC system that contain CHRI?
The NCIC system contains 14 files, but 10 are the most active. They include:
- Sex Offender Registry
- Missing Person, Wanted Person
- Foreign Fugitive File
- Identity Theft
- History records that are not available on the NCIC’s Interstate Identification Index (III) system.
Users can also access criminal records from Canada using the IQ/FQ and the address of “CN.” AQs can also be sent to Canada.
An IQ is a query that searches for a subject’s identity based on their name, date of birth, and social security number. An FQ is a query retrieves a subject’s full criminal history record based on their SID or MNU. An AQ is a query that requests additional information on a topic, such as aliases, scars, marks, tattoos, photos, etc.
Check Out: What is Classified Data? (Best Practices & Data Types)
How to read a CHRI response from the FBI or NCIC?
A CHRI response from the FBI or NCIC consists of several parts, such as Cover Page, Master Name, Master Subject Identification Number (SID), Master Fingerprint Card Number (MNU), Master State Identification Number (SNU), Arrest Segment, Court Segment, Custody Segment, etc. Each part contains specific information about the subject’s identity, charges, dispositions, sentences, etc.
The Cover Page provides general information about the response, such as the date and time of the query, the type of query, the source of the data, and the number of pages. The Master Name contains the subject’s name and aliases.
Master SID is a unique number assigned by the FBI to identify the issue. The Master MNU is a unique number assigned by the FBI to identify the fingerprint card of the subject. The Master SNU is a distinctive number the state gives to identify the issue.
The Arrest Segment contains information about each subject’s arrest, such as the date and place of arrest, the arresting agency, the offense code and description, and the disposition date and type. The Court Segment contains information about each court proceeding related to the subject’s arrest, such as the court name and location, the case number, the charge code and description, and the sentence imposed.
The Custody Segment contains information about each custody event related to the subject’s arrest, such as the custody type and status, the facility name and location, and the release date and reason.
What is the purpose of code C?
The purpose code C is used when running a criminal history query to obtain all available identifiers. It checks the Michigan Criminal History Record system and the NCIC Interstate Identification Index (III).
Purpose code C is required to be used only for the administration of criminal justice. NCIC Purpose Code C requests are optional and can only be requested when responding to child abuse or neglect reports.
Check Out: Mastering Google Sheets (How to Pull Data from Another Tab)
What does the NCIC stand for?
The NCIC stands for National Crime Information Center. It is the United States central database for tracking crime-related information. The NCIC has been an information-sharing tool since 1967.
Responsible for maintenance, the Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS), a part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is interconnected with numerous federal, tribal, state, and local agencies and offices.
What is the function of NCIC?
The function of NCIC is to provide and maintain a database of accurate and timely criminal justice information, such as missing persons and criminal histories. It is a vital tool for law enforcement officers to perform their duties and to keep them safe. It also facilitates information flow between the numerous law enforcement branches.
Check Out: Starting a Tumbler Business (A Comprehensive Guide)
Conclusion
The NCIC system is a valuable resource for law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. It contains various types of data that include CHRI on individuals who have had contact with law enforcement agencies.
To access and read this data, users need to know how to use different types of queries and interpret other parts of a CHRI response. By understanding what data contains CHRI within the NCIC system, users can enhance their efficiency and effectiveness in performing their duties.
