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Automated Investigative Databases

NCJ Number
150584
Date Published
1994
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article reviews Federal on-line information services that have been developed to assist the investigation of specific types of criminal activities and enterprises.
Abstract
The two best known government databases are the National Crime Information Center and the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System. Federal law enforcement automated systems can generally be accessed by some combination of name, date-of-birth, Social Security number, address, and telephone number. There are other systems that can access more than one Federal and State agency's database. These include the Treasury Enforcement Communications System; the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), which encompasses Model 204, EPIC Information System, Operational Activities Special Information System, Immigration and Naturalization Service Integrated Network Communications System, and Sentry; and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Two other primary systems are INTERPOL--U.S. National Central Bureau and the Immigration and Naturalization Service Law Enforcement Support Center. Use of these resources can increase an agency's successful case closure rate and reduce the time, money, and manpower involved in investigations.