National Crime Information Center in the United States

Federal Bureau of Investigation: Crime Information Center

Introduction to National Crime Information Center

The National Crime Information Center (NCIC), located in Clarksburg, West Virginia, is a computerized database of information on crime and criminals. It serves as the nucleus of a vast communications network that includes local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. Designed to complement metropolitan and statewide electronic systems, it makes available in a few seconds data essential for effective law enforcement. The NCIC database contains information on criminal histories, missing persons, fugitives and wanted persons, stolen vehicles and license plates, stolen guns, and other data. It also contains mugshots, images of stolen property, and prints of right index fingers. Most patrol officers can access NCIC data directly via computer terminals in their squad cars. The NCIC system handles about 2 million inquiries per day, 99 percent of which are initiated by local, state, and federal agencies other than the FBI. The FBI also operates the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), which interfaces with the NCIC. The NICS performs background checks on people seeking to purchase firearms. These checks are intended to prevent the sale of firearms to felons, fugitives, illegal aliens, and certain other people.

In addition to maintaining fugitive information in the NCIC, the FBI has since 1950 widely publicized its “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives,” a list of particularly dangerous fugitives. The bureau publicizes these and other fugitives on its Web site, on the radio, and on the television program America’s Most Wanted. The FBI has captured many fugitives as a result of this publicity.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about National Crime Information Center in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to National Crime Information Center

In this Section

Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation Structure, FBI Jurisdiction and Investigative Responsibilities, FBI Agents, Law Enforcement Services, FBI Law Enforcement Services (including FBI Fingerprint Identification, FBI Laboratory, FBI Criminal Profiling, FBI Police Training, National Crime Information Center and Crime Statistics), FBI History (including FBI Early Years, Hoover Reforms, FBI in the World War II and Postwar Era, FBI Antiradical Activities, FBI Reform, Ruby Ridge, FBI Under Freeh and September 11 Attacks), FBI and the Patriot Act and National Lawyers Guild.

National Crime Information Center in State Statute Topics

Introduction to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) (State statute topic)

The purpose of National Crime Information Center is to provide a broad appreciation of the National Crime Information Center legal topic. Select from the list of U.S. legal topics for information (other than National Crime Information Center).

Resources

Further Reading

• Information about National Crime Information Center in the Gale Encyclopedia of American Law.