September - October 1997
Volume 1, Number 7
| This newsletter is published monthly to inform NCIC users of the status of NCIC 2000. It is our hope that this will keep all interested parties abreast of changes and developments so that you, the user, can begin, and continue to make, any necessary purchases and modifications to your systems. If your agency would like more information on any of these topics, please contact Mr. Roy Weise at 304-625-2730. |
SEPTEMBER 15-17 IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA
Introduction
On September 15 -17 at the Tulsa Convention Center, the FBI will hold an NCIC 2000 Technical Update for NCIC users. The Conference will precede the joint meeting of the Criminal Justice Information Services Advisory Policy Board Regional Working Groups. The Conference will provide details on NCIC 2000 status and technical aspects of the system, emphasizing what NCIC 2000 users and their Control Terminal Agencies or Federal Service Coordinators need to do to transition from NCIC to NCIC 2000 when NCIC 2000 begins operations in July 1999. The FBI and the NCIC 2000 prime development contractor, Harris Corporation, will attend and give presentations to each Regional Working Group on
- System Telecommunications
- The Central Segment
- The Fingerprint Matching Subsystem, the Workstation, and the Mobile Imaging Unit
- Miscellaneous Technical Issues
- Administrative Issues such as planning and budgeting.
The Conference will also have plenary sessions including State experiences in preparing for NCIC 2000 and an overview of the CJIS Wide Area Network. Evening sessions will allow participants to speak directly with FBI technical experts and to discuss issues in State/Local forums.
The conference is a great opportunity for NCIC users to get answers to their questions about NCIC 2000. It is designed to help users prepare for the transition to NCIC 2000, which is expected to occur in July 1999. If you cannot attend the conference, contact your State Control Terminal Officer or Federal Service Coordinator for information or to ensure your questions are asked by those who can attend.
Recent Project Developments
System Integration Test (SIT) #1
In mid-July, Harris successfully performed a test to demonstrate that the components of the NCIC 2000 system built so far can work together correctly. The test included the Fingerprint Matching Subsystem, workstation, and mobile imaging unit, Central Segment communications, identified persons, and image software applications. The test was designed to run sample NCIC 2000 transactions to determine if the system could correctly process a transaction and return the response to the user. Completion of the test demonstrated the end-to-end integration and functionality of NCIC 2000 equipment and software developed thus far. The tests were designed to demonstrate some of the new features that NCIC 2000 will provide including: digital fingerprint and image storage and retrieval, automated fingerprint searching and matching, delayed query, searching on hyphenated names and ranges in the date of birth field, expanded searches for various combinations of names, and case linking. For example, Harris showed how NCIC 2000 could produce a hit on a person inquiry where a missing juvenile and a wanted felon had been entered into the system under separate case numbers. The successful test, performed on schedule, showed that the system components developed so far will work well together. Harris Corporation is considering having a demonstration of the SIT #1 scenarios available at the Technical Update Conference in Tulsa. A second system integration test is scheduled for October 1997. It will test additional system functions and software applications, such as the Gang and Terrorist Organization file.
Interface Requirements Specifications (IRS) and Message Book
On June 30, the FBI sent the IRS and NCIC 2000 Message Book to State Control Terminal Officers and Federal Service Coordinators. The IRS provides detailed information on what users need to do to make their systems compatible with NCIC 2000. The Message Book outlines all NCIC 2000 messages. These documents should provide valuable assistance to criminal justice agencies' transition planning and budgeting.
Fingerprint Matching Subsystem, Workstation, and Mobile Imaging Unit Early Delivery
In late August, the FBI sent a team to Harris Corporation in Melbourne, Florida to perform formal checkout and acceptance of the requirements associated with the FMS, Workstation, and MIU. This is a contractual requirement that must be fulfilled prior to taking actual delivery of the hardware and software. In the interim between August and December, Harris Corporation will use these products to support their ongoing system development efforts. The FBI will take delivery of this equipment and software in December 1997. The FBI will test this software and hardware and involve interested State and local law enforcement agencies in further testing in 1998.
Updates
The November 1996 newsletter had one item that needs updating:
On page 4, under the heading "NCIC 2000 MIU Peripheral Equipment" the third bullet lists the camera, "Closed Circuit Products B-52", that was originally purchased under the NCIC 2000 contract. The FBI has also purchased the "DYCAM MODEL 3 CAMERA WITH WINDOWS INTEGRATOR KIT VERSION 4.23", which supports JPEG compression. The DYCAM camera is smaller and does not require a tether, making it easier to use.
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
