Survey of State Criminal History Information Systems (1999 - BJS)

This report is based upon the results from a two-part survey conducted of the administrators of the State criminal history record repositories in January -September 1999. Fifty-three jurisdictions
were surveyed, including the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Responses were received to at least one part of the survey from 52
jurisdictions. Only Puerto Rico did not complete either part of the survey. Throughout this report, the 50 States will be referred to as "States"; the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin
Islands will be referred to as "territories," consistent with prior surveys; "Nation" refers collectively to both the States and territories.
In addition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was the source for information relating to the number of criminal history records of the States participating in the Interstate Identification Index (III) system
that are maintained by the State criminal history repositories and the number of records maintained by the FBI for the States, as of June 30, 1999. The number of dispositions available through III in each
State also are reported.

SEARCH conducted five previous surveys in this series for the Bureau of Justice Statistics, covering 1989, 1992, 1993, 1995, and 1997. This year's report largely updates the information collected in
previous years.

The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) mandated by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act became operational November 30, 1998. This survey provides a summary of quantitative information at the end of 1999. The levels of coverage, completeness, accuracy, and accessibility of the State criminal
history information systems directly affect the effectiveness and efficiency of the NICS.

The Bureau of Justice Statistics hopes that the information contained in this report will assist States as they continue to improve their systems and to remain vigilant in maintaining the goals they have already achieved.

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