February 15, 1996
Volume 1, Number 1

What is NCIC 2000?

Since its development in the sixties, improvements and additions to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) have been implemented to satisfy new requirements and to keep pace with growing transaction volumes. NCIC 2000 is a new system being developed to replace NCIC. NCIC 2000 will perform the existing NCIC functions augmented with new capabilities. NCIC 2000 will increase capacity, update technology and add fingerprint and image processing functions. NCIC 2000 will provide increased flexibility to meet future user requirements and will be easier to maintain. New and improved capabilities associated with NCIC 2000 include:

• Addition of image processing (i.e., mugshot, signature, identifying marks),
• Addition of automated single-finger fingerprint matching,
• Automation of some NCIC functions that are currently manually performed (e.g., validation, collection of benefits data),
• Access to new databases (e.g., Convicted Person on Supervised Release),
• Addition of linkage fields, providing the ability to associate multiple records with the same criminal or the same crime,
• Access to external databases (e.g., the Canadian Police Information Center (CPIC) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons' "SENTRY" database), and;
• Automatic collection of statistics for system evaluation.

Implementation Schedule and Necessary Equipment

The FBI originally scheduled NCIC 2000 to be fully operational in December of 1995. Significant problems and addition of new requirements have delayed the implementation of this system. NCIC 2000 is now expected to be fully operational in the fall of 1999. Many Control Terminal Agencies (CTA) have already begun gearing up to take full advantage of this program. Although NCIC 2000 will support existing interfaces and equipment, it is recommended that agencies begin to replace existing NCIC terminals with newer equipment. To take advantage of all the features of NCIC 2000, the user will need a workstation at a centralized site and special equipment in the patrol car. Equipment needed at the workstation includes at least a 386 personal computer or compatible newer technology, a flat bed scanner, a livescan device, an image printer, and two-way radio equipment. The patrol car will need a mobile display, keyboard, a one-finger livescan, radio interface, and a camera. Of course, an agency does not have to have all of this equipment. An agency can have partial implementation of NCIC 2000 functionality but all agencies need to be able to receive NCIC 2000 text responses when NCIC 2000 is installed and need to be able to send NCIC 2000 transaction formats within three years of its initial implementation. Within that three year span, agencies must migrate from bisync protocols to one of the newer protocols (X.25, SNA, or TCP/IP). The FBI will make all its workstation design and software available for implementation and/or customization by the user. Hopefully, this will assist the agencies in quickly developing their interfaces. However, it should be noted that once you have customized the software, upgrades may be more difficult to integrate.

New Faces

NCIC 2000 project development and administration has moved from the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) division of the FBI to the Information Resources Division (IRD). Ms. JoAnn Casteel, the new project manager, brings extensive experience in monitoring and administrating large projects. In addition, the FBI has hired or transferred system analysts, risk management personnel, and program administrators into the NCIC 2000 Program Office. The FBI is also in the process of hiring additional data processing professionals to keep this project on time and on budget. The FBI has sought out varied technical advice as well. MITRE and User Technology Associates, expert systems/software engineering firms, have personnel on site to assist with the technical oversight of the project development. The Illinois State Police (ISP) has temporarily assigned two staff members, a system analyst and an operational expert, to IRD for six months. The FBI has confidence that this new team will ensure the successful and timely development and implementation of the NCIC 2000 system.

Progress, Plans and Problems

As stated previously, NCIC 2000 has had significant design and implementation challenges. The following is a list of some problems with which the FBI is still wrestling with. Although this list is not all inclusive, it will provide you with the flavor of the problems encountered by NCIC 2000.

• Harris Corporation, the company that is developing NCIC 2000, has submitted Change Order Proposal (COP) 8 which contains their technical approach to complete development of NCIC 2000. In addition, it includes the cost and schedule estimates to finish the effort. After intense negotiations, the FBI has accepted a modified COP 8.
• The Advisory Policy Board (APB) has levied new requirements, such as the Violent Gang/Terrorist Organization File, the Protective Order File and the Deported Felon file, that will be implemented into the current NCIC in 1996. These new files will also be operational in the NCIC 2000 environment.
• Preliminary design is incomplete for new functionality such as On-Line Special Requests (SPRQ), delayed query and data extracts.
• The FBI was just recently provided with the Workstation (WS), MIU and Computer Based Training (CBT) software for product evaluation. Hands-on review may uncover unforeseen problems. This newsletter will keep you posted on how the FBI's review progresses.
• The images captured by the patrol car segment are gray scale, but are not the ANSI/NIST standard. The size of ANSI/NIST standard fingerprint images prohibits transmission over mobile radio frequency networks. If an agency wants to submit an image to the local or state Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), it will have to develop modifications in the Mobile Imaging Unit and the Workstation software.

APB Meeting Update

At the APB meeting in December, the APB had three recommendations for the NCIC 2000 program. One recommendation requires the NCIC 2000 program staff to write an impact document on cessation of all work on the MIU and the WS. Another recommendation requires the NCIC 2000 program office to study the feasibility of integrating NCIC 2000 and Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) imaging by adopting the same format and compression standard. The NCIC 2000 staff was to develop a contingency plan in the event that negotiations with Harris Corporation failed or if Harris is unable to meet discrete milestones.

Please Note: Although NCIC will support existing interfaces and equipment, it is recommended that agencies begin to replace existing NCIC terminals with newer equipment. Although NCIC 2000 will run on a 386 computer, it is recommended that the user acquire the fastest compatible processor at the time of the purchase.

This space is provided for authorized criminal justice agencies to provide commentary, questions, or suggestions. We will provide an answer to all questions. If you would like to submit an article, send it to:

Federal Bureau of Investigation
Attn: Ms. Katina Mackall
Room 9504
NCIC 2000 Program Office
935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20535

This first article was submitted by the Illinois State Police.

Each state eagerly anticipates the new functions that NCIC 2000 will bring to the local agency and the individual police officer. Illinois is no different. In this highly mobile world, it is even more imperative that officers know with whom they are dealing. The functionality that will be available through NCIC 2000 is much needed by the law enforcement community. Getting information to the officer in the car, having photographic images available and using single fingerprint technology to provide immediate positive identification will ensure increased officer safety while minimizing the risk of detaining the wrong individual. As such, Illinois has several initiatives underway that fit under the umbrella of providing NCIC 2000 type functionality to police officers.

One of these initiatives involves upgrading and expanding the ALERTS mobile data network. Currently, the ALERTS network, which was created and is managed by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, provides mobile data service to over 200 law enforcement agencies in an 18 county area. In March 1995, the Illinois State Police formed a partnership with the Authority for the purpose of expanding and enhancing the ALERTS network. Since that time, a number of other agencies, realizing the benefits the new network can provide, have joined the partnership and will be providing funding to make Phase I of the project a reality. The goal of this cooperative, three-phased project is to upgrade the existing system so that it is a statewide, high speed network capable of transmitting images and meeting state and local agencies' mobile data needs now and in the future.

The Illinois State Police is also releasing an image-based Violent Crime Tracking and Linking system application called VITAL that provides photographic images of known gang members. While currently being used as an intelligence tool, the true value of such technology will come when the officer is capable of receiving these images in the vehicle. ISP is also completing the groundwork necessary to rewrite our 26 year old statewide data network known as LEADS. Once completed, it will be a WAN based network capable of supporting applications such as VITAL.

Another objective is the positive and rapid identification of those arrested for reportable crimes by upgrading our AFIS and adding single print identification. Illinois is also reviewing use of single fingerprint technology for visitor control in maximum security prisons. As the state pursues these initiatives, one of the primary goals is to ensure images are compatible in all systems. Therefore, the Illinois State Police is urging the use of the IAFIS approved ANSI/NIST standards. If these standards are adopted, states, such as Illinois, will be able to link photos to positive identification of individuals and share information across systems.

Our two primary concerns in implementing NCIC 2000 are the need for standards and funding. Illinois is looking to the NCIC 2000 project to continue setting federal standards for positive identification technology and the exchange of criminal history information. We encourage the meshing of standards between the IAFIS and NCIC 2000 projects. Standards defined at the federal level have a rippling effect throughout state and local government. The leadership exercised in the NCIC 2000 project will benefit all levels of law enforcement if the program is given proper support and commitment from law enforcement agencies across the country.

Implementation of NCIC 2000 will require each state to update its law enforcement network. This will be a major expense for each state and many large cities and counties. A unified and aggressive effort is needed within each state and across the country to ensure necessary funding is provided for each level of government. With federal funding agencies moving toward block grants and perhaps a decreased role for state planning agencies in awarding these funds, care must be taken to ensure NCIC 2000 is developed as a system with each component -- federal, state and local -- being developed and supported in concert with one another.