Form UnNumbered N3G CSO Discussion Points-Final

National Crime Information Center (NCIC) 3rd Generation (N3G)
CSO Discussion Points
State:
Date of Interview:
Agency Name:
Agency Type:  CJIS Systems Agency
Name and Position of Person(s) Interviewed:
Name:
Email:
Phone Number:
Position:
Name:
Email:
Phone Number:
Position:
Name:
Email:
Phone Number:
Position:
Name:
Email:
Phone Number:
Position:

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI’s) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)
Division has initiated the N3G Requirements Analysis Project. The mission of the N3G
initiative is to partner with stakeholders to identify new functionality and information
sharing services that will improve, modernize, and expand the existing NCIC system so that
it will continue to provide real-time, accurate, and complete criminal justice information to
support the NCIC user community.
NCIC became operational in 1967, providing criminal justice information from 5 different
files to law enforcement agencies nationwide. The last major upgrade to NCIC occurred in
1999, with the transition to NCIC 2000. Since that time, there have been several
enhancements to the system including the addition of many new files. Currently, NCIC
maintains 21 separate files divided into 14 person files and 7 property related files as
depicted below in the order as they were implemented in the system.
PERSON FILES

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Wanted Person
Missing Person
Unidentified Person
Foreign Fugitive
Immigration Violator
Protection Order
National Sex Offender Registry
Supervised Release
Identity Theft
Gang
Known or Appropriately Suspected Terrorist
Protective Interest
NICS Denied Transaction
Violent Person

PROPERTY FILES

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


Article
Gun
License Plate
Vehicle
Securities
Boat
Vehicle/Boat Part

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The purpose of this document is to identify user requirements for the enhancements to the
existing NCIC system. Below are categories of changes that have been identified for N3G.
Please answer questions in all of the categories.
I.

NCIC Today (Questions 1-15)

II.

System File Organization (Questions 16-22)

III.

N3G Interface (Questions 23-24)

IV.

Communications (Questions 25-29)

V.

Data Analysis and Search Capabilities (Questions 30-42)

VI.

External Sources (Questions 43-45)

VII.

Fields (Questions 46-57)

VIII.

Documentation and Training (Questions 58-61)

IX.

Features and Enhancements (Questions 62-72)

X.

Transition to N3G (Question 73)

XI.

User Interface (Questions 74-83)

Questions should be ranked in order of importance using the below scale:
HIGH (high value or critical to operation of NCIC)
MEDIUM (moderate value or interest to the operation of NCIC)
LOW (minimal or no value to NCIC)
N/A (not applicable or disagree with concept)

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I.

NCIC Today
1.

Have you programmed for all of the above person and property files for
both query and entry (if applicable)?
(a) Yes
(b) No – Please indicate which files you have not implemented in your
state and explain why.

2.

Describe your data workflow and how NCIC is incorporated in that
workflow.

3.

What is your general opinion of the current NCIC system? Please
explain.
(a) Outstanding
(b) Very Good
(c) Good
(d) Fair
(e) Poor
(f) Not Sure

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4.

If you are not completely satisfied with the current NCIC system, please
provide areas that may be of concern. (Select all that apply.) Please
explain.
(a) Not user friendly
(b) Software issues
(c) Policies
(d) Quality control
(e) Security
(f) Out of date technology
(g) Incompatible systems
(h) No opinion
(i) Not sure
(j) Other

5.

Please provide suggestions of how to address the concerns selected in
question 4. Please explain.
(a) More/Better training
(b) Enhancements to system
(c) Better quality control
(d) More resources
(e) Not sure
(f) Other

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6.

How much confidence do you have in the information you receive from
NCIC?
(a) Absolute
(b) High degree
(c) Medium to High
(d) Fair to Good
(e) Not totally reliable
(f) Serious problem
(g) Not sure

7.

If there are difficulties with the information maintained in the current
system, please provide issues you have encountered. (Select all that
apply.)
(a) Missing, limited or misleading information
(b) Invalid or outdated records
(c) Too many hits/false hits
(d) Extradition information
(e) Entry errors (typos, wrong codes, etc.)
(f) No difficulties
(g) Not sure
(h) Other

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8.

Are you satisfied with the response format that is currently used?
(a) Yes
(b) No

9.

Typically NCIC offers a 12-month notice for a state to program for new
enhancements. Please state number of months desired or select “No
change.”
(a) Change to _____ months
(b) No change

10.

Does your agency use the current detainer functionality in NCIC?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Not sure

11.

The detainer process for N3G should be enhanced. If you chose a high
priority, please provide examples of how the process could be best
enhanced.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

12.

The online validation process needs to be improved.
(a) Yes – Please explain.
(b) No

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13.

The NCIC record locate functionality needs to be improved.
(a) Yes – Please explain.
(b) No

14.

Were you aware NCIC currently supports an XML data format between
the state and NCIC?
(a) Yes
(b) No

15.

Do you forecast upgrades to your system? If so, do your plans include
migrating to XML?
(a) Yes
(b) No

II.

System File Organization
16.

Does your state maintain its own statewide system of criminal justice
information?
(a) Yes – Please explain (i.e., types of files and auto populating).

(b) No

17.

Page 2 lists the 21 files currently maintained in NCIC. Are there any
concerns regarding the structure of any of those files (i.e., existing
fields, mandatory fields and response format) or any additional issues
with the format of any existing file?
(a) Yes – Please explain.
(b) No

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18.

NCIC currently uses separate files for different types of records (i.e.,
Wanted, Missing, Stolen Vehicle, Article). N3G should be modified to
merge types of records into groups (i.e., person and property). This
could allow the use of one set of entry fields for all persons by including
a field that identifies the type of record to be populated. This change
could decrease the amount of programming at the state level.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

19.

Currently, NCIC provides the ability to search multiple files at one time
using the automatic cross-search functionality. For example, a QW
automatically searches other person related files. It also provides the
individual file search capability (i.e., QID searches only the Identify
Theft File). It would be beneficial to have the ability to search specified
files at one time. For instance, the user could generate a query of the
Protection Order File and National Sex Offender Registry by choosing
only those files.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

20.

Currently, NCIC only allows one Wanted Person record for one
individual by the same ORI. N3G should include the ability to maintain
multiple warrants on the same individual from the same ORI.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

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21.

The current system allows nine (9) supplementals to be added per
transaction. Should the current number (9) be increased? Please state
the desired increase of supplemental transactions allowed or select “No
change.”
(a) Change to _____ supplementals allowed per transaction
(b) No change

22.

Currently, a subsequent transaction is required to enter supplemental
data into NCIC. Should N3G eliminate supplemental transactions and
allow for multiple field values at entry/modify?
(a) Yes
(b) No – Please explain.

III.

N3G Interface
23.

What benefits do you see in supporting prior versions of requests and
responses (backward compatibility)?

24.

Please specify any additional enhancements including communication
interfaces (i.e., sockets, queues, web services) for the state to NCIC
interface that would be beneficial.

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IV.

Communications
25.

On average, how long does it take your users to receive an NCIC
response?
(a) Less than 5 seconds
(b) Between 5 and 10 seconds
(c) Between 10 and 30 seconds
(d) More than 30 seconds

26.

What is an acceptable average speed for an end user to receive an NCIC
response?
(a) Less than 5 seconds
(b) Between 5 and 10 seconds
(c) Between 10 and 30 seconds
(d) More than 30 seconds

27.

The average response time per transaction for NCIC is very quick, which
is critical for the officer on the street. If N3G implements attributebased access, the response time should be based on the role of the user
(i.e., investigator response time could be longer).
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Not sure

28.

There are instances where a response from NCIC may be delayed if
expanded searches are initiated. N3G should include a preliminary
response if the response exceeds a preset time period.
(a) Yes – Please provide a present time.
(b) No
(c) Not sure
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29.

N3G should include sending CHR transactions to the state via a separate
III logical connection rather than the NCIC connection.
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Not sure

V.

Data Analysis and Search Capabilities
30.

N3G should provide a key word search engine (i.e., a search of “Brown”
would return all records that contain “Brown” including cities, names,
and streets).
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

31.

N3G should provide an advanced key word search engine (i.e., a search
of “Brown” would also allow the user to specify a specific field or set of
fields to search).
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

32.

Currently, there are fields in NCIC that are not searchable (i.e., the
Miscellaneous Field). N3G should incorporate the ability to search
these fields.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A
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33.

Currently, the SPRQ functionality is only available at the state CSO level.
What searches should be available at the local law enforcement level?
For example, an ORI should have the ability to search and retrieve all
active records entered by the respective ORI.
______________________________________________________________________

34.

What additional types of data analysis functionality should be
available? Please explain.
_______________________________________________________________________

35.

What type of NCIC reporting abilities (parsing out certain types of
reports) do you need at the state level?

36.

What type of NCIC reporting abilities (parsing out certain types of
reports) do you need at the local level?

37.

NCIC currently uses the New York Identification and Intelligence System
(NYSIIS) name search algorithm. NYSIIS is a phonetic-based name
search algorithm. An improved name-search algorithm is necessary for
N3G.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

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38.

Currently, NCIC responses are returned based on the priority level of
the file hit as determined by the CJIS Advisory Process. Hits should be
based on a probability/weighted type score instead of the current
priority.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

39.

The delayed inquiry capability, where the system automatically
extracts certain descriptive data from entries and uses it to search the
transaction log for inquiries, is currently at 5 days. Should the number
of days be increased or decreased? Please state number of days desired
or select “No change.”
(a) Change to _____ days
(b) No change

40.

Batch query capabilities should be enhanced.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

41.

What format should batch query results be returned?
(a) PDF
(b) Delimited
(c) Niem (XML) based
(d) No change
(e) Not sure
(f) Other
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42.

N3G should provide a capability to perform a batch entry, modify, and
cancel.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

VI.

External Sources
43.

N3G should provide the ability to interface with other databases (i.e.,
international, federal, state, and local).
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

44.

Would your agency allow access to your state data through N3G?
(a) Yes
(b) No

45.

Please specify any other external sources (systems/services) that
should be included.

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VII. Fields
46.

Are there fields in any of the current NCIC Files that should be expanded
in length?
(a) Yes – Please explain.
(b) No

47.

Is there a need to capture “language(s) spoken” of the individual in the
NCIC record?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Not sure

48.

Currently, the Address Type (ADD) is only available in Wanted Person
and Sex Offender files. The Address Field should be expanded to other
NCIC Files.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

49.

An agency should have the ability to indicate it has biometric
information available for a subject by creating a Biometrics Available
field and a Biometrics Location field in N3G.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

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50.

A case officer contact information field should be available in N3G.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

51.

Currently, the sex of the individual must be entered in NCIC as either:
F (female), M (male), or U (unknown). The existing sex codes should be
revisited including how they are searched.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

52.

The existing race codes in NCIC include: I (American Indian or Alaskan
Native), A (Asian or Pacific Islander), B (Black), W (White), or
U (Unknown). These codes should be revisited including how they are
searched.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

53.

The race codes are beneficial in searching.
(a) Yes
(b) No

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54.

Currently, NCIC allows an expanded date of birth search where a date of
birth will search on a year prior or after the year queried, if desired.
The existing date of birth search parameters should be revisited. For
example, NCIC should allow the ability to search on age instead of birth
year.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

55.

N3G should separate the name field into separate fields (i.e., last name,
first name, middle name, and suffix).
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

56.

Entry of a caution indicator is currently tied to the message key at time
of entry. The caution indicator is also included as a separate field in
NCIC. The caution indicator should be deleted from the message key.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

57.

Please specify any additional fields and/or data elements that should be
included in N3G.

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VIII. Documentation and Training
58.

Further explanation is needed for reject messages.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

59.

In the past, $ messages were assigned for multiple purposes (i.e., $P is
used as a purge and also a pre-purge notification). New $ messages
provide a unique extension. Existing $ messages should be modified to
include a unique extension.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

60.

What additional help materials should be included in N3G?

61.

What additional training would you like to see available with N3G?

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IX.

Features & Enhancements
62.

The current image entry and retrieval capability should be enhanced.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

63.

Currently, an image may be appended to a record in NCIC only after an
initial record has been entered. This process requires a user to enter a
record, obtain a NIC number, and subsequently enter an image. The
ability for users to enter an image with the NCIC record in a one-step
process should be created.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

64.

Prior to new enhancements being made available in NCIC, the
functionality is available to the state in the test region. This capability
is typically available three months prior to the enhancement becoming
functional. The new functionality testing capability for N3G should be
expanded.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

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65.

Today, NCIC policy requires second party checks. This is usually
documented in the agency case file. Are there alternative processes to
document the completion of the second party check?
(a) Yes – Please explain.
(b) No
(c) Not sure

66.

N3G should improve the Missing/Unidentified compare process to
include searching against other person files.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

67.

Are there any system enhancements that could improve contributions
of records to NCIC?

68.

N3G should discontinue converting alpha O’s to zeroes.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

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69.

N3G should include the capability for GPS coordinates to be included for
all queries. This information could be used as an investigative tool to
determine the location of subjects during an inquiry.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

70.

N3G should allow users to manually enter GPS coordinates within the
NCIC record.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

71.

N3G should include the capability for sending investigative alerts based
on query to query, query to entry, and a separate entry of data entered
for alert purposes without another type of record. For example, a user
would have the ability to place an investigative interest on certain data
without creating a traditional NCIC record.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

72.

Please identify any additional features or enhancements that would be
beneficial to N3G.

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X.

Transition to N3G
73.

XI.

How long do you feel NCIC should continue to support NCIC 2000 once
N3G is implemented?

User Interface
74.

A client user interface needs to be created and maintained by the CJIS
Division for stakeholders to directly connect to NCIC. If a user interface
is built by the CJIS Division, the state will have the option to use, if
desired.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

75.

If a user interface is built by the CJIS Division, the state will have the
option of authorizing users within their state, if desired.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

76.

N3G should support an attribute-based system access at the state to
NCIC interface that defines the role of the user (i.e., investigator, officer
on the street, or dispatcher), ORI, and other defined attributes.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A
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77.

The ability for users to receive summaries or hit details (users receive a
synopsized version of hits and can determine how much to view) should
be incorporated in N3G at the interface level between the state and
NCIC.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

78.

A mobile interface should be created in addition to a user interface.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

79.

An online help system is needed for N3G, if the CJIS Division implements
a user interface.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

80.

Online assistance (i.e., snippets, hover-over, and help files) should be
available when using N3G, if the CJIS Division implements a user
interface.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

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81.

Online manuals are necessary for N3G, if the CJIS Division implements a
user interface.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

82.

Users should be required to complete Computer Based Training (CBT)
prior to accessing N3G, if the CJIS Division implements a user interface.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

83.

N3G should maintain records of users completing CBTs, allowing
agencies to run transcripts for their respective users, if the CJIS Division
implements a user interface.
(a) High
(b) Medium
(c) Low
(d) N/A

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