The program provides a national clearinghouse to collect, review, and analyze reports submitted by law enforcement agencies. Data are collected on unsolved or solved homicides or attempts that are suspected to be part of a series; missing persons in cases strongly indicating foul play; and unidentified bodies where the manner of death is suspected to be homicide. VICAP works by determining similarities between individual cases reported in the database. Factors that are analyzed include modus operandi, victimology, physical evidence, suspect description, and suspect behavior exhibited before, during, and after the crime. VICAP provides information to all law enforcement agencies reporting similar crimes in order to initiate a coordinated multiagency investigation. On-site case analysis, multiagency coordination, forensic laboratory coordination, and other case consultations are provided upon request. 10 notes