VEHICLE THEFT STATISTICS CONTINUE TO RISE WHILE THE PERCENTAGE OF RECOVERY DECLINES, CURRENTLY STANDING AT 30 PERCENT. AS A RESULT OF TITLE PROGRAM DEFICIENCIES AND ABUSES, PROFESSIONAL CAR THEFT OPERATIONS OBTAIN LEGITIMATE STATE-APPROVED TITLES FOR STOLEN VEHICLES THROUGH TITLE ISSUANCE BY MAIL OR WITHOUT INSPECTION, AND FRAUDULENT USE OF OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. ALTHOUGH STATE REGISTRATION LAWS WERE INITIATED TO GENERATE REVENUES, THEY ARE NOW BEING USED TO PROVIDE A CURRENT RECORD OF OWNERSHIP. TO MEET THESE NEW DEMANDS, THE TITLE REGISTRATION SYSTEM MUST BE ALTERED. DOCUMENT AND VEHICLE INSPECTIONS SHOULD BE PERFORMED CONSISTENTLY AND VIGILANTLY BY PERSONNEL TRAINED TO RECOGNIZE FRAUD. NATIONAL UNIFORMITY FOR STATE CERTIFICATES OF TITLE IS URGED. MOREOVER, A VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER SHOULD BE ASSIGNED TO ALL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AND SOLD IN THE U.S. THE COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM SUGGESTED HERE, IF IMPLEMENTED AND MAINTAINED NATIONALLY, WOULD REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF FRAUDULENTLY-TITLED VEHICLES, THE MARKET FOR STOLEN VEHICLES, AND ULTIMATELY THE INCIDENCE OF MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED. (MRK)