[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 28, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52343-52349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24989]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

[AAG/A Order No. 170-99]


Privacy Act of 1974; Notice of Modified Systems of Records

    Pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) and Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-130, notice is given that 
the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is 
modifying the following system of records which was last published in 
the Federal Register on April 20, 1995 (60 FR 19775):
    National Crime Information Center (NCIC), JUSTICE/FBI-001.
    Also being modified is the following system of records which was 
last published in the Federal Register on February 20, 1996 (61 FR 
6386):
    Fingerprint Identification Records Systems (FIRS), JUSTICE/FBI-009.
    The FBI has made revisions to these systems of records to update 
information about these systems, make editorial adjustments to existing 
language, confirm in clearer language the categories of agencies that 
participate in the exchange of records through these systems, and add 
three new routine uses for both systems. A brief description of these 
changes is provided below.
    The two systems of records are being modified to update the 
location of the systems and denote the exact street address of the 
system manager. Both notices are also being revised to clarify existing 
language through minor editorial adjustments and to confirm in clearer 
language the authorized participation in these systems, and the 
availability of system records, to tribal, foreign, and international 
agencies, in addition to local, state, and federal agencies. Three 
routine uses have been added to allow disclosure of information 
maintained in these systems: To criminal justice agencies to conduct 
background checks under the National Instant Criminal Background Check 
System (NICS); to noncriminal justice government agencies, subject to 
appropriate controls, performing criminal justice dispatching functions 
or data processing/information services for a criminal justice 
dispatching functions or data processing/information services for a 
criminal justice agency; and to a private entity, subject to 
appropriate controls and under a specific agreement with an authorized 
governmental agency to perform an administration of criminal justice 
function (privatization). (In addition to the above changes, the FBI is 
currently reviewing additional changes to better describe new 
capabilities and practices, to be promulgated in a future notice.) 
Revisions to 28 CFR parts 0, 16, 20 and 50 which underlie these changes 
are being implemented in the Rules section of today's Federal Register.
    The Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a (e)(4) and (11)) requires that the 
public be given 30 days in which to comment on any new or intended uses 
of information in a system of records. In addition, OMB, which has 
oversight responsibilities under the Act, requires that OMB and the 
Congress be given 40 days in which to review major changes to the 
system.
    Therefore, the public, OMB, and the Congress are invited to submit 
written comments to Mary E. Cahill, Management Analyst, Management and 
Planning Staff, Justice Management Division, Department of Justice, 
1400 National Place, Washington, DC 20530.
    In accordance with Privacy Act requirements (5 U.S.C. 552a(r)), the 
Department of Justice has provided a report on the modified system to 
OMB and the Congress.

    Dated: July 27, 1999.
Stephen R. Colgate,
Assistant Attorney General for Administration.
JUSTICE/FBI 001

System name:
    National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

System location:
    Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Justice Information 
Services (CJIS) Division, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 
26306.

Categories of individuals covered by the system:
    A. Wanted Persons:
    1. Individuals for whom federal warrants are outstanding.
    2. Individuals who have committed or have been identified with an 
offense which is classified as a felony or serious misdemeanor under 
the existing penal statutes of the jurisdiction originating the entry 
and for whom a felony or misdemeanor warrant has been issued with 
respect to the offense which was the basis of the entry. Probation and 
parole violators meeting the foregoing criteria.
    3. A ``Temporary Felony Want'' may be entered when a law 
enforcement agency has need to take prompt action to establish a 
``want'' entry for the apprehension of a person who has committed, or 
the officer has reasonable grounds to believe has committed, a felony 
and who may seek refuge by fleeing across jurisdictional boundaries and 
circumstances preclude the immediate procurement of a felony warrant. A 
``Temporary Felony Want'' shall be specifically identified as such and 
subject to verification and support by a proper warrant within 48 hours 
following the entry of a temporary want. The agency originating the 
``Temporary Felony Want'' shall be responsible for subsequent 
verification or re-entry of a permanent want.
    4. Juveniles who have been adjudicated delinquent and who have 
escaped or absconded from custody, even though no arrest warrants were 
issued. Juveniles who have been charged with the commission of a 
delinquent act that would be a crime if committed by an adult, and who 
have fled from the state where the act was committed.
    5. Individuals who have committed or have been identified with an 
offense committed in a foreign country, which would be a felony if 
committed in the United States, and for whom a warrant of arrest is 
outstanding and for which act an extradition treaty exists between the 
United States and that country.
    6. Individuals who have committed or have been identified with an 
offense committed in Canada and for whom a Canada-Wide Warrant has been 
issued which meets the requirements of the Canada-U.S. Extradition 
Treaty, 18 U.S.C. 3184.
    B. Individuals who have been charged with serious and/or 
significant offenses:
    1. Individuals who have been fingerprinted and whose criminal 
history record information has been obtained.
    2. Violent Felons: Persons with three or more convictions for a 
violent felony or serious drug offense as defined by 18 U.S.C. 924(e).
    C. Missing Persons:
    1. A person of any age who is missing and who is under proven 
physical/

[[Page 52344]]

mental disability or is senile, thereby subjecting that person or 
others to personal and immediate danger.
    2. A person of any age who is missing under circumstances 
indicating that the disappearance was not voluntary.
    3. A person of any age who is missing under circumstances 
indicating that that person's physical safety may be in danger.
    4. A person of any age who is missing after a catastrophe.
    5. A person who is missing and declared unemancipated as defined by 
the laws of the person's state of residence and does not meet any of 
the entry criteria set forth in 1-4 above.
    D. Individuals designed by the U.S. Secret Service as posing a 
potential danger to the President and/or other authorized protectees.
    E. Members of Violent Criminal Gangs: Individuals about whom 
investigation has developed sufficient information to establish 
membership in a particular violent criminal gang by either:
    1. Self admission at the time of arrest or incarceration, or
    2. Any two of the following criteria:
    a. Identified as a gang member by a reliable informant;
    b. Identified as a gang member by an informant whose information 
has been corroborated;
    c. Frequents a gang's area, associates with known members, and/or 
affects gang dress, tattoos, or hand signals;
    d. Has been arrested multiple times with known gang members for 
offenses consistent with gang activity; or
    e. Self admission (other than at the time of arrest or 
incarceration).
    F. Members of Terrorist Organizations: Individuals about whom 
investigation has developed sufficient information to establish 
membership in a particular terrorist organization using the same 
criteria listed above in paragraph E, items 1 and 2 a-e, as they apply 
to members of terrorist organizations rather than members of violent 
criminal gangs.
    G. Unidentified Persons:
    1. Any unidentified deceased person.
    2. Any person who is living, but whose identify has not been 
ascertained (e.g., infant, amnesia victim).
    3. Any unidentified catastrophe victim.
    4. Body parts when a body has been dismembered.

Categories of records in the system:
    A. Stolen Vehicle File:
    1. Stolen vehicles.
    2. Vehicles wanted in conjunction with felonies or serious 
misdemeanors.
    3. Stolen vehicle parts including certificates of origin or title.
    B. Stolen License Plate File.
    C. Stolen Boat File.
    D. Stolen Gun File:
    1. Stolen guns.
    2. Recovered guns, when ownership of which has not been 
established.
    E. Stolen Article File.
    F. Securities File:
    1. Serially numbered stolen, embezzled, or counterfeited 
securities.
    2. ``Securities'' for present purposes of this file are currency 
(e.g., bills, bank notes) and those documents or certificates which 
generally are considered to be evidence of debt (e.g., bonds, 
debentures, notes) or ownership of property (e.g., common stock, 
preferred stock), and documents which represent subscription rights, 
warrants and which are of the types traded in the securities exchanges 
in the United States, except for commodities futures. Also included are 
warehouse receipts, travelers checks and money orders.
    G. Wanted Person File: Described in ``Categories of individuals 
covered by the system: A. Wanted Persons, 1-4.''
    H. Foreign Fugitive File: Identification data regarding persons who 
are fugitives from foreign countries, who are described in ``Categories 
of individuals covered by the system: A. Wanted Persons, 5 and 6.''
    I. Interstate Identification Index File: A cooperative federal-
state program for the interstate exchange of criminal history record 
information for the purpose of facilitating the interstate exchange of 
such information among criminal justice agencies: Described in 
``Categories of individuals covered by the system: B. 1.''
    J. Identification records regarding persons enrolled in the United 
States Marshals Service Witness Security Program who have been charged 
with serious and/or significant offenses. Described in ``Categories of 
individuals covered by the system: B.''
    K. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) Violent Felon 
File: Described in ``Categories of individuals covered by the system: 
B.2.''
    L. Missing Person File: Described in ``Categories of individuals 
covered by the system: C. Missing Persons.''
    M. U.S. Secret Service Protective File: Described in ``Categories 
of individuals covered by the system: D.''
    N. Violent Criminal Gang File: A cooperative federal-state program 
for the interstate exchange of criminal gang information. For the 
purpose of this file, a ``gang'' is defined as a group of three or more 
persons with a common interest, bond, or activity characterized by 
criminal delinquent conduct. Described in ``Categories of individuals 
covered by the system: E. Members of Violent Criminal Gangs.''
    O. Terrorist File: A cooperative federal-state program for the 
exchange of information about terrorist organizations and individuals. 
For the purposes of this file, ``terrorism'' is defined as activities 
that involve violent acts or acts dangerous to human life that are a 
violation of the criminal laws of the United States or any state or 
would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of 
the United States or any states, which appear to be intended to:
    1. Intimidate or coerce a civilian population,
    2. Influence the policy of a government by intimidation or 
coercion, or
    3. Affect the conduct of a government by crimes or kidnaping. 
Described in ``Categories of individuals covered by the system: F. 
Members of Terrorist Organizations.''
    P. Unidentified Person File: Described in ``Categories of 
individuals covered by the system: G. Unidentified Persons.''

Authority for maintenance of the system:
    The system is established and maintained in accordance with 28 
U.S.C. 534; 28 CFR part 20; Department of Justice Appropriation Act, 
1973, Pub. L. 92-544, 86 Stat. 1115; Securities Acts Amendment of 1975, 
Pub. L. 94-29, 89 Stat. 97; and 18 U.S.C. 924 (e). Exec. Order No. 
10450, 3 CFR (1974).

Purpose(s):
    The purpose for maintaining the NCIC system of records is to 
provide a computerized data base for ready access by a criminal justice 
agency making an inquiry and for prompt disclosure of information in 
the system from other criminal justice agencies about crimes and 
criminals. This information assists authorized agencies in criminal 
justice objectives, such as apprehending fugitives, locating missing 
persons, locating and returning stolen property, as well as in the 
protection of the law enforcement officers encountering the individuals 
described in the system.

Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories 
of users and the purposes of such uses:
    Data in NCIC files is exchanged with and for the official use of 
authorized officials of the federal government, the states, cities, 
penal and other institutions, and certain foreign governments. The data 
is exchanged most frequently, but not exclusively, through NCIC lines 
to federal criminal justice agencies, criminal justice agencies in the 
50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Possessions, 
U.S. Territories, and

[[Page 52345]]

certain authorized foreign and international criminal justice agencies. 
Criminal history data is disseminated to non-criminal justice agencies 
for use in connection with licensing for local/state employment or 
other uses, but only where such dissemination is authorized by federal 
or state statute and approved by the Attorney General of the United 
States.
    Data in NCIC files, other than the information described in 
``Categories of records in the system: I, J, K, M, N, and O'' is 
disseminated to:
    (1) A nongovernmental agency or subunit thereof which allocates a 
substantial part of its annual budget to the administration of criminal 
justice, whose regularly employed peace officers have full police 
powers pursuant to state law and have complied with the minimum 
employment standards of governmentally employed police officers as 
specified by state statute;
    (2) A noncriminal justice governmental department of motor vehicle 
or driver's license registry established by a statute, which provides 
vehicle registration and driver record information to criminal justice 
agencies;
    (3) A governmental regional dispatch center, established by a state 
statute, resolution, ordinance or Executive order, which provides 
communications services to criminal justice agencies; and
    (4) The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a nongovernmental 
nonprofit agency which acts as a national clearinghouse for information 
on stolen vehicles and offers free assistance to law enforcement 
agencies concerning automobile thefts, identification and recovery of 
stolen vehicles.
    Disclosures of information from this system, as described in (1) 
through (4) above, are for the purpose of providing information to 
authorized agencies to facilitate the apprehension of fugitives, the 
location of missing persons, the location and/or return of stolen 
property, or similar criminal justice objectives.
    Information on missing children, missing adults who were reported 
missing while children, and unidentified living and deceased persons 
may be disclosed to the National Center for Missing and Exploited 
Children (NCMEC). The NCMEC is a nongovernmental, nonprofit, federally 
funded corporation, serving as a national resource and technical 
assistance clearinghouse focusing on missing and exploited children. 
Information is disclosed to NCMEC to assist it in its efforts to 
provide technical assistance and education to parents and local 
governments regarding the problems of missing and exploited children, 
and to operate a nationwide missing children hotline to permit members 
of the public to telephone the Center from anywhere in the United 
States with information about a missing child.
    System records may be disclosed to criminal justice agencies for 
the conduct of background checks under the National Instant Criminal 
Background Check System (NICS).
    System records may be disclosed to noncriminal justice governmental 
agencies performing criminal justice dispatching functions or data 
processing/information services for criminal justice agencies.
    System records may be disclosed to private contractors pursuant to 
a specific agreement with a criminal justice agency or a noncriminal 
justice governmental agency performing criminal justice dispatching 
functions or data processing/information services for criminal justice 
agencies to provide services for the administration of criminal justice 
pursuant to that agreement. The agreement must incorporate a security 
addendum approved by the Attorney General of the United States, which 
shall specifically authorize access to criminal history record 
information, limit the use of the information to the purposes for which 
it is provided, ensure the security and confidentiality of the 
information, provide for sanctions, and contain such other provisions 
as the Attorney General may require. The power and authority of the 
Attorney General hereunder shall be exercised by the FBI Director (or 
the Director's designee).
    In addition, information may be released to the news media and the 
public pursuant to 28 CFR 50.2, unless it is determined that release of 
the specific information in the context of a particular case would 
constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
    System records may be disclosed to a Member of Congress or staff 
acting on the member's behalf when the member or staff requests the 
information on behalf of and at the request of the individual who is 
the subject of the record; and,
    System records may be disclosed to the National Archives and 
Records Administration and the General Services Administration for 
records management inspections conducted under the authority of 44 
U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.

Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining, 
and disposing of records in the system:
Storage:
    Information maintained in the NCIC system is stored electronically 
for use in a computer environment.

Retrievability:
    On line access to data in NCIC is achieved by using the following 
search descriptors:
    A. Stolen Vehicle File:
    1. Vehicle identification number;
    2. Owner applied number;
    3. License plate number;
    4. NCIC number (unique number assigned by NCIC computer to each 
NCIC record.)
    B. Stolen License Plate File:
    1. License plate number;
    2. NCIC number.
    C. Stolen Boat File:
    1. Registration document number;
    2. Hull serial number;
    3. Owner applied number;
    4. NCIC number.
    D. Stolen Gun File:
    1. Serial number of gun;
    2. NCIC number.
    E. Stolen Article File:
    1. Serial number of article;
    2. Owner applied number;
    3. NCIC number.
    F. Securities File:
    1. Type, serial number, denomination of security, and issuer for 
other than U.S. Treasury issues and currency;
    2. Type of security and name of owner of security;
    3. Social Security number of owner of security (it is noted the 
requirements of the Privacy Act with regard to the solicitation of 
Social Security numbers have been brought to the attention of the 
members of the NCIC system);
    4. NCIC number.
    G. Wanted Person File:
    1. Name and one of the following numerical identifiers:
    a. Date of birth;
    b. FBI number (number assigned by the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation to an arrest fingerprint record);
    c. Social Security number (it is noted the requirements of the 
Privacy Act with regard to the solicitation of Social Security numbers 
have been brought to the attention of the members of the NCIC system);
    d. Operator's license number (driver's number);
    e. Miscellaneous identifying number (military number or number 
assigned by federal, state, or local authorities to an individual's 
record);
    f. Originating agency case number;
    2. Vehicle or license plate known to be in the possession of the 
wanted person;

[[Page 52346]]

    3. NCIC number.
    H. Foreign Fugitive File: See G, above.
    I. Interstate Identification Index File:
    1. Name, sex, race, and date of birth;
    2. FBI number;
    3. State identification number;
    4. Social Security number;
    5. Miscellaneous identifying number.
    J. Witness Security Program File: See G, above.
    K. BATF Violent Felon File: See G, above.
    L. Missing Person file: See G, above, plus the age, sex, race, 
height and weight, eye and hair color of the missing person.
    M. U.S. Secret Service Protective File: See G, above.
    N. Violent Criminal Gang File: See G, above.
    O. Terrorist File: See G, above.
    P. Unidentified Person File: The age, sex, race, height and weight, 
eye and hair color of the unidentified person.

Safeguards:
    Data stored in the NCIC is documented criminal justice agency 
information and access to that data is restricted to duly authorized 
users. The following security measures are the minimum to be adopted by 
all authorized users having access to the NCIC.
    Interstate Identification Index (III) File. These measures are 
designed to prevent unauthorized access to the system data and/or 
unauthorized use of data obtained from the computerized file.
    1. Computer Center.
    a. The authorized user's computer site must have adequate physical 
security to protect against any unauthorized personnel gaining access 
to the computer equipment or to any of the stored data.
    b. Since personnel at these computer centers can have access to 
data stored in the system, they must be screened thoroughly under the 
authority and supervision of an NCIC control terminal agency. (This 
authority and supervision may be delegated to responsible criminal 
justice agency personnel in the case of a satellite computer center 
being serviced through a state control terminal agency.) This screening 
will also apply to non-criminal justice maintenance or technical 
personnel.
    c. All visitors to these computer centers must be accompanied by 
staff personnel at all times.
    d. Computers having access to the NCIC must have the proper 
computer instructions written and other built-in controls to prevent 
criminal history data from being accessible to any terminals other than 
authorized terminals.
    e. Computers having access to the NCIC must maintain a record of 
all transactions against the criminal history file in the same manner 
the NCIC computer logs all transactions. The NCIC identifies each 
specific agency entering or receiving information and maintains a 
record of those transactions. This transaction record must be monitored 
and reviewed on a regular basis to detect any possible misuse of 
criminal history data.
    f. Each State Control terminal shall build its data system around a 
central computer, through which each inquiry must pass for screening 
and verification. The configuration and operation of the center shall 
provide for the integrity of the data base.
    2. Communications:
    a. Lines/channels being used to transmit criminal history 
information must be dedicated solely to criminal justice, i.e., there 
must be no terminals belonging to agencies outside the criminal justice 
system sharing these lines/channels.
    b. Physical security of the lines/channels must be protected to 
guard against clandestine devices being utilized to intercept or inject 
system traffic.
    3. Terminal Devices Having Access to NCIC:
    a. All authorized users having terminal on this system must be 
required to physically place theses terminals in secure locations 
within the authorized agency.
    b. The authorized users having terminals with access to criminal 
history must screen terminal operators and restrict access to the 
terminal to a minimum number of authorized employees.
    c. Copies of criminal history data obtained from terminal devices 
must be afforded security to prevent any unauthorized access to or use 
of the data.
    d. All remote terminals on NCIS III will maintain a manual or 
automated log of computerized criminal history inquiries with notations 
of individuals making requests for records for a minimum of one year.

Retention and disposal:
    Unless otherwise removed, records will be retained in files as 
follows:
    A. Vehicle File:
    a. Unrecovered stolen vehicle records (including snowmobile 
records) which do not contain vehicle identification numbers (VIN) or 
Owner-applied number (OAN) therein, will be purged from file 90 days 
after date of entry. Unrecovered stolen vehicle records (including 
snowmobile records) which contain VINS or OANs will remain in file for 
the year of entry plus 4.
    b. Unrecovered vehicles wanted in conjunction with a felony will 
remain in file for 90 days after entry. In the event a longer retention 
period is desired, the vehicle must be reentered.
    c. Unrecovered stolen VIN plates, certificates of origin or title, 
and serially numbered stolen vehicle engines or transmissions will 
remain in file for the year of entry plus 4. (Job No. NC1-65-82-4, Part 
E. 13 h.(12 )
    B. License Plate File: Unrecovered stolen license plates will 
remain in file for one year after the end of the plate's expiration 
year as shown in the record. (Job no. NC1-65-82-4, Part E. 13 h. (2) )
    C. Boat file: Unrecovered stolen boat records, which contain a hull 
serial number or an OAN, will be retained in file for the balance of 
the year entered plus 4. Unrecovered stolen boat records which do not 
contain a hull serial number or an OAN will be purged from file 90 days 
after date of entry. (Job No. NC1-65-82-4, Part E. 13 h. (6))
    D. Gun File:
    a. Unrecovered weapons will be retained in file for an indefinite 
period until action is taken by the originating agency to clear the 
record.
    b. Weapons entered in file as ``recovered'' weapons will remain in 
file for the balance of the year entered plus 2. (Job No. NC1-65-82-4, 
Part E. 13 h. (3))
    E. Article File: Unrecovered stolen articles will be retained for 
the balance of the year entered plus one year. (Job No. NC1-65-82-4, 
Part E. 13 h. (4))
    F. Securities File: Unrecovered stolen, embezzled or counterfeited 
securities will be retained for the balance of the year entered plus 4, 
except for travelers checks and money orders, which will be retained 
for the balance of the year entered plus 2. (Job No. NC1-65-82-4, Part 
E. 13 h. (5))
    G. Wanted Person File: Person not located will remain in file 
indefinitely until action is taken by the originating agency to clear 
the record (except ``Temporary Felony Wants'', which will be 
automatically removed from the file after 48 hours''. (Job No. NC1-65-
87-114, Part E. 13 h. (7))
    H. Foreign Fugitive File: Person not located will remain in file 
indefinitely until action is taken by the originating agency to clear 
the record.
    I. Interstate Identification Index File: When an individual reaches 
age of 99. (Job No. N1-65-95-03)
    J. Witness Security Program File: Will remain in file until action 
is taken by the U.S. Marshals Service to clear or cancel the records.

[[Page 52347]]

    K. BATF Violent Felon File: Will remain in file until action is 
taken by the BATF to clear or cancel the records.
    L. Missing Persons File: Will remain in the file until the 
individual is located or action is taken by the originating agency to 
clear the record. (Job No. NC1-65-87-11, Part E 13h (8))
    M.U.S. Secret Service Protective File: Will be retained until names 
are removed by the U.S. Secret Service.
    N. Violent Criminal Gang File: Records will be subject to mandatory 
purge if inactive for five years.
    O. Terrorist File: Records will be subject to mandatory purge if 
inactive for five years.
    P. Unidentified Person File: Will be retained for the remainder of 
the year of entry plus 9.

System manager(s) and address:
    Director, Federal Bureau of investigation, J. Edgar Hoover 
Building, 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20535-0001.

Notification procedure:
    Same as the above.

Record access procedures:
    It is noted the Attorney General has exempted this system from the 
access and contest procedures of the Privacy Act. However, the 
following alternative procedures are available to a requester. The 
procedures by which an individual may obtain a copy of his or her 
criminal history record from a state or local criminal justice agency 
are detailed in 28 CFR 20.34 appendix and are essentially as follows:
    If an individual has a criminal record supported by fingerprints 
and that record has been entered in the III System, it is available to 
that individual for review, upon presentation of appropriate 
identification and in accordance with applicable state and federal 
administrative and statutory regulations.
    Appropriate identification includes being fingerprinted for the 
purpose of insuring that the individual is who the individual purports 
to be. The record on file will then be verified through comparison of 
fingerprints.
    Procedure:
    1. All requests for review must be made by the subject of the 
record through a law enforcement agency which has access to the III 
System. That agency within statutory or regulatory limits can require 
additional identification to assist in securing a positive 
identification.
    2. If the cooperating law enforcement agency can make an 
identification with fingerprints previously taken which are on file 
locally and if the FBI identification number of the individual's record 
is available to that agency, it can make an on-line inquiry through 
NCIC to obtain the III System record or, if it does not have suitable 
equipment to obtain an on-line response, obtain the record from 
Clarksburg, West Virginia, by mail. The individual will then be 
afforded the opportunity to see that record.
    3. Should the cooperating law enforcement agency not have the 
individual's fingerprints on file locally, it is necessary for that 
agency to relate the prints to an existing record by having the 
identification prints compared with those already on file in the FBI, 
or, possibly, in the state's central identification agency.
    The procedures by which an individual may obtain a copy of his or 
her criminal history record from the FBI are set forth in 28 CFR 16.30-
16.34.

Contesting record procedures:
    The Attorney General has exempted this system from the contest 
procedures of the Privacy Act. Under the alternative procedures 
described above under ``Record Access Procedures,'' the subject of the 
requested record shall request the appropriate arresting agency, court, 
or correctional agency to initiate action necessary to correct any 
stated inaccuracy in subject's record or provide the information needed 
to make the record complete. The subject of a record may also direct 
his/her challenge as to the accuracy or completeness of any entry on 
his/her record to the FBI, Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) 
Division, ATTN: SCU, Mod. D-2, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 
26306. The FBI will then forward the challenge to the agency which 
submitted the data requesting that agency to verify or correct the 
challenged entry. Upon the receipt of an official communication 
directly from the agency which contributed the original information, 
the FBI CJIS Division will make any changes necessary in accordance 
with the information supplied by that agency.

Record source categories:
    Information contained in the NCIC system is obtained from local, 
state, tribal, federal, foreign, and international criminal justice 
agencies.

Systems exempted from certain provisions of the act:
    The Attorney General has exempted this system from subsection 
(c)(3) and (4); (d); (e)(1), (2), and (3); (e)(4)(G) and (H), (e)(8) 
and (g) of the Privacy Act pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2) and (k)(3). 
Rules have been promulgated in accordance with the requirements of 5 
U.S.C. 553(b), (c) and (e) and have been published in the Federal 
Register.
JUSTICE/FBI-009

System name:
    Fingerprint Identification Records System (FIRS).

System location;
    Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Justice Information 
Services (CJIS) Division, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 
26306.

Categories of individuals covered by the system:
    A. Individuals fingerprinted as a result of arrest or 
incarceration.
    B. Persons fingerprinted as a result of federal employment 
application or military service. In addition, there are a limited 
number of persons fingerprinted for alien registration and 
naturalization purposes and a limited number of individuals desiring to 
have their fingerprints placed on record with the FBI for personal 
identification purposes.

Categories of records in the system:
    A. Criminal fingerprints and/or related criminal justice 
information submitted by authorized agencies having criminal justice 
responsibilities.
    B. Civil fingerprints submitted by federal agencies and civil 
fingerprints submitted by persons desiring to have their fingerprints 
placed on record for personal identification purposes.
    C. Identification records sometimes referred to as ``rap sheets,'' 
which are compilations of criminal history record information 
pertaining to individuals who have criminal fingerprints maintained in 
the system.
    D. A name index pertaining to all individuals whose fingerprints 
are maintained in the system.

Authority for maintenance of the system:
    The system is established and maintained under authority granted by 
28 U.S.C. 534, Pub. L. 92-544 (86 Stat. 1115), and codified in 28 CFR 
0.85 (b) and (j) and part 20. Additional authority is also listed below 
under Routine Uses.

Purposes:
    The purpose for maintaining the Fingerprint Identification Records 
System is to perform identification and criminal history record 
information functions and maintain resultant records for local, state, 
tribal, federal, foreign, and international criminal justice agencies, 
as well as for noncriminal justice agencies and other entities where 
authorized by federal

[[Page 52348]]

statute, state statute pursuant to Pub. L. 92-544, Presidential 
executive order or regulation of the Attorney General of the United 
States. In addition, identification assistance is provided in disasters 
and for other humanitarian purposes.

Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories 
of users and the purposes of such uses:
    Identification and criminal history record information within this 
system of records may be disclosed as follows:
    1. To a local, state, tribal, or federal law enforcement agency, or 
agency/organization directly engaged in criminal justice activity 
(including the police, prosecution, penal, probation/parole, and the 
judiciary), and/or to an authorized foreign or international agency/
organization, where such disclosure may assist the recipient in the 
performance of a law enforcement function, and/or for the purposes of 
eliciting information that may assist the FBI in performing a law 
enforcement function; or to a local, state, tribal, federal, foreign, 
or international agency/organization for a compatible civil law 
enforcement function; or where such disclosure may promote, assist, or 
otherwise serve the mutual law enforcement efforts of the law 
enforcement community.
    2. To a federal, state, tribal, or local criminal or noncriminal 
justice agency/organization; or to other entities where specifically 
authorized by federal statute, state statute pursuant to Pub. L. 92-
544, Presidential executive order, or regulation of the Attorney 
General of the United States for use in making decisions affecting 
employment, security, contracting, licensing, revocation, or other 
suitability determinations. Examples of these disclosures may include 
the release of information as follows:
    a. To the Department of Defense, Department of State, Office of 
Personnel Management, or Central Intelligence Agency, when requested 
for the purpose of determining the eligibility of a person for access 
to classified information or assignment to or retention in sensitive 
national security duties. 5 U.S.C. 9101 (1990);
    b. To federal agencies for use in investigating the background of 
present and prospective federal employees and contractors (Executive 
Order 10450), including those providing child-care services to children 
under age 18 at each federal agency and at any facility operated or 
under contract by the federal government. 42 U.S.C. 13041 (1991);
    c. To state and local government officials for purposes of 
investigating the background of applicants for noncriminal justice 
employment or licensing purposes if such investigation is authorized by 
a state statute that has been approved by the Attorney General of the 
United States. (The Attorney General has delegated to the FBI the 
responsibility for approving such state statutes.) Examples of 
applicants about whom FIRS information may be disclosed include: 
Providers of services/ care for children, the elderly, or disabled 
persons; teachers/school bus drivers; adoptive/foster parents; security 
guards/private detectives; state bar applicants; doctors; and explosive 
dealers/purchasers. Pub. L. 92-544, 86 Stat. 1115;
    d. To officials of state racing commissions for use in 
investigating the background of an applicant for a state license to 
participate in parimutuel wagering. Officials of state racing 
commissions in states with a state statute that has been approved under 
Pub. L. 92-544 may submit fingerprints of the applicant to the FBI 
through the Association of State Racing Commissioners International, 
Inc. Results of a criminal record check are returned to each state 
racing commission designated on the fingerprint card. Pub. L. 100-413, 
102 Stat. 1101;
    e. To officials of Indian tribal governments for use in 
investigating the background of an applicant for employment by such 
tribes in a position involving regular contact with, or control over, 
Indian children. Officials may submit fingerprints to the FBI through 
the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the results of the criminal record 
check are returned to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for transmittal to 
the appropriate tribal government. Pub. L. 101-630; 25 U.S.C. 3205; 25 
U.S.C. 3207;
    f. To a designated point of contact at a criminal justice agency 
for the conduct of background checks under the National Instant 
Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
    g. To criminal justice officials for the conduct of firearms 
related background checks when required to issue firearms or explosive 
related licenses or permits according to a state statute or local 
ordinance. Fingerprints submitted for this noncriminal justice purpose, 
as well as other firearms related permits, are processed pursuant to 
Pub. L. 92-544 as set out under 2.c. above. Pub. L. 103-159; 18 U.S.C. 
922;
    h. To officials of federally chartered or insured banking 
institutions for use in investigating the background of applicants for 
employment or to otherwise promote or maintain the security of those 
institutions. Pub. L. 92-544; 86 Stat. 1115;
    i. To officials of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and 
to self-regulatory organizations (SRO) designated by the SEC for use in 
investigating all partners, directors, officers, and employees involved 
in the transfers/handling of securities at every member of a national 
securities exchange, broker, dealer, registered transfer agent, and 
registered clearing agency. (The SROs are: American Stock Exchange, 
Boston Stock Exchange, Chicago Board Options Exchange, Midwest Stock 
Exchange, New York Stock Exchange, Pacific Stock Exchange, Philadelphia 
Stock Exchange, and the National Association of Securities Dealers.) 15 
U.S.C. 78q(f)(2) (1990);
    j. To officials of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) 
and the National Futures Association for use in investigating the 
background of applicants for registration with the CFTC as commodity 
dealers/members of futures associations. Such applicants include 
futures commission merchants, introducing brokers, commodity trading 
advisors, commodity pool operators, floor brokers, and associated 
persons. 7 U.S.C. 12a (1992); 7 U.S.C. 21(b)(4)(E);
    k. To officials of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for use 
in investigating the background of each individual who is permitted 
unescorted access to a nuclear utilization facility (nuclear power 
plant) and/or who is permitted access to information relating to the 
safeguarding of such facilities. 42 U.S.C. 2169 (1992).
    3. To noncriminal justice governmental agencies performing criminal 
justice dispatching functions or data processing/information services 
for criminal justice agencies.
    4. To private contractors pursuant to a specific agreement with a 
criminal justice agency or a noncriminal justice governmental agency 
performing criminal justice dispatching functions or data processing/
information services for criminal justice agencies to provide services 
for the administration of criminal justice pursuant to that agreement. 
The agreement must incorporate a security addendum approved by the 
Attorney General of the United States, which shall specifically 
authorize access to criminal history record information, limit the use 
of the information to the purposes for which it is provided, ensure the 
security and confidentiality of the information, provide for sanctions, 
and contain such other provisions as the Attorney General may require. 
The power and authority of the Attorney General hereunder shall be

[[Page 52349]]

exercised by the FBI Director (or the Director's designee).
    5. To the news media and general public where there exists a 
relevant and legitimate public interest (unless it is determined that 
release of the specific information in the context of a particular case 
would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy) and where 
disclosure will serve a relevant and legitimate law enforcement 
function, e.g., to assist in locating federal fugitives, and to provide 
notification of arrests. This would include disclosure of information 
in accordance with 23 CFR 20.33 (a)(4) and (c), and 50.2. In addition, 
where relevant and necessary to protect the general public or any 
member of the public from imminent threat to life, bodily injury, or 
property, such information may be disclosed.
    6. To a Member of Congress or staff acting on the Member's behalf 
when the Member or staff requests the information on behalf of and at 
the request of the individual who is the subject of the record.
    7. To the National Archives and Records Administration and the 
General Services Administration for records management inspections and 
such other purposes conducted under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 
2906, to the extent that such legislation requires or authorizes the 
disclosure.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, 
AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
STORAGE:
    A. The criminal fingerprints and related criminal justice 
information are stored in both automated and manual formats. The manual 
records are in file cabinets in their original state or on microfilm.
    B. The civil fingerprints are stored in an entirely manual format.
    C. The identification records or ``rap sheets'' are mostly 
automated but a significant portion of older records are manual.
    D. The criminal name index is either automated or on microfilm 
while the civil name index is entirely manual.

RETRIEVABILITY:
    A. Information in the system is retrievable by technical 
fingerprint classification and positive identification is effected only 
by comparison of unique identifying characteristics appearing in 
fingerprint impressions submitted for search against the fingerprints 
maintained within the system.
    B. An auxiliary means of retrieval is through name indices which 
contain names of the individuals, their birth data, other physical 
descriptors, and the individuals' technical fingerprint classification 
and FBI numbers, if such have been assigned.

SAFEGUARDS:
    Information in the system is unclassified. Disclosure of 
information from the system is made only to authorized recipients upon 
authentication and verification of the right to access the system by 
such persons and agencies. The physical security and maintenance of 
information within the system is provided by FBI rules, regulations and 
procedures.

RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
    A. The Archivist of the United States has approved the destruction 
of records maintained in the criminal file when the records indicate 
individuals have reached 99 years of age, and the destruction of 
records maintained in the civil file when the records indicate 
individuals have reached 99 years of age. (Job. No. N1-65-95-03)
    B. Fingerprints and related arrest data in the system are destroyed 
seven years following notification of the death of an individual whose 
record is maintained in the system (Job No. N1-65-95-03)
    C. The Archivist has determined that automated FBI criminal 
identification records (rap sheets) are to be permanently retained. 
Thus, at the time when paper identification records would have been 
eligible for destruction, automated FBI criminal identification records 
are transferred via magnetic tape to NARA.
    D. Fingerprints submitted by state and local criminal justice 
agencies are removed from the system and destroyed upon the request of 
the submitting agencies. The destruction of fingerprints under this 
procedure results in the deletion from the system of all arrest 
information related to those fingerprints.
    E. Fingerprints and related arrest data are removed from the 
Fingerprint Identification Records System upon receipt of federal court 
orders for expunction when accompanied by necessary identifying 
information. Recognizing lack of jurisdiction of local and state courts 
over an entity of the federal government, the Fingerprint 
Identification Records System, as a matter of comity, destroys 
fingerprints and related arrest data submitted by local and state 
criminal justice agencies upon receipt of orders of expunction directed 
to such agencies by local and state courts when accompanied by 
necessary identifying information.

System manager(s) and address:
    Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, J. Edgar Hoover 
Building, 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20535-0001.

Notification procedure:
    This system has been exempted from subsections (d) and (e)(4)(G) 
pursuant to subsections (j)(2), (k)(2), and (k)(5) of the Privacy Act.

Record access procedures:
    This system of records has been exempted from subsections (d) and 
(e)(4)(H) pursuant to subsections (j)(2), (k)(2), and (k)(5) of the 
Privacy Act. However, procedures are set forth at 28 CFR 16.30-34 and 
20.24 for an individual to obtain a copy of his identification record 
maintained in the Fingerprint Identification Records System to review 
or to obtain a change, correction, or updating of the record.

Contesting record procedures:
    Same as above.

Record source categories:
    Federal, state, local, tribal, foreign, and international agencies. 
See Categories of Individuals.

exemptions claimed for the system:
    The Attorney General has exempted this system from subsections 
(c)(3) and (4); (d); (e)(1), (2), (3), (4)(G) and (H), (5) and (8); and 
(g) of the Privacy Act pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2). In addition, 
the Attorney General has exempted this system from (c)(3), (d), (e)(1), 
and (e)(4)(G) and (H), pursuant to (k)(2) and (k)(5). Rules have been 
promulgated in accordance with the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553(b), 
(c), and (e) and have been published in the Federal Register.

[FR Doc. 99-24989 Filed 9-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-CJ-M