Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)

The FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division is a critical component of the United States' law enforcement and criminal justice system. Established in 1991, CJIS is headquartered in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and serves as the central repository for a wide array of criminal justice information. Its primary mission is to provide state-of-the-art identification and information services to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as other authorized entities.

One of the key functions of CJIS is the management and maintenance of the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS), which is now part of the Next Generation Identification (NGI) system. The NGI system is a biometric database that includes fingerprints, palm prints, and other biometric data, allowing for rapid and accurate identification of individuals. This system is crucial for criminal investigations, background checks, and identity verification, helping law enforcement agencies quickly and efficiently identify suspects and verify the identities of individuals.

CJIS also oversees the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), a computerized database that provides criminal justice agencies with immediate access to a vast array of information, including criminal records, missing persons, stolen vehicles, and other critical data. The NCIC is a vital tool for law enforcement, enabling officers to access real-time information during investigations and emergency situations. This immediate access to information can be the difference between a successful resolution and a missed opportunity.

In addition to these core functions, CJIS plays a significant role in setting and enforcing security standards for the handling of criminal justice information. The CJIS Security Policy is a comprehensive set of guidelines that outline the security requirements for agencies that access and use CJIS information. These policies cover a wide range of areas, including physical security, network security, and data encryption, ensuring that sensitive information is protected from unauthorized access and breaches. Compliance with the CJIS Security Policy is mandatory for all agencies that use CJIS services, and regular audits and assessments are conducted to ensure adherence to these standards.