LEIN Interoperability & Information Sharing Protocols 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What format governs electronic message exchange between LEIN terminals and NCIC?
- XML-based NIEM format
- Transaction format specified in the NCIC Operating Manual (Correct answer)
- Plain text email format with header tags
- PDF document submission through a secure portal
Correct answer: Transaction format specified in the NCIC Operating Manual
Electronic messages exchanged through LEIN/NCIC must follow the transaction formats specified in the NCIC Operating Manual.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a 'Locate' message in the NCIC/LEIN system?
- To find a missing person's last known GPS coordinates
- To notify the entering agency that a wanted person or stolen property has been found (Correct answer)
- To request tracking data on a subject's vehicle
- To transfer custody of evidence between jurisdictions
Correct answer: To notify the entering agency that a wanted person or stolen property has been found
A 'Locate' message is sent to notify the entering agency that a wanted person or stolen property previously entered into NCIC/LEIN has been located.
Question 3: Under what conditions may a LEIN agency share criminal justice information with a non-criminal justice agency?
- When the non-criminal justice agency pays appropriate licensing fees
- When there is a documented criminal justice purpose and proper legal authority (Correct answer)
- At the sole discretion of the agency chief without restrictions
- When the subject of the record provides written consent
Correct answer: When there is a documented criminal justice purpose and proper legal authority
LEIN/NCIC data may only be shared outside criminal justice agencies when there is a documented criminal justice purpose and proper legal authority for the disclosure.
Question 4: What is the maximum period before a 'wanted person' entry in NCIC must be validated?
- 30 days
- 6 months
- 1 year (Correct answer)
- 5 years
Correct answer: 1 year
NCIC policy requires that wanted person records be validated annually — every 12 months — to ensure accuracy and continued validity.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes 'secondary dissemination' of criminal justice information obtained from LEIN?
- The initial entry of records into LEIN by the originating agency
- Sharing LEIN-obtained information with an agency not directly connected to the network (Correct answer)
- Transferring records from paper files to a digital database
- Automatic replication of records to disaster recovery backup servers
Correct answer: Sharing LEIN-obtained information with an agency not directly connected to the network
Secondary dissemination refers to sharing criminal justice information obtained from LEIN/NCIC with agencies not directly connected to the criminal justice network.
Question 6: What type of audit trail does CJIS policy require for LEIN information sharing activities?
- No audit trail is required for routine queries
- A manual log maintained by an on-duty supervisor
- An automated log recording each transaction, user, date, and purpose (Correct answer)
- A quarterly summary report submitted to the FBI field office
Correct answer: An automated log recording each transaction, user, date, and purpose
CJIS policy requires an automated audit trail recording each transaction, the user identity, date/time, and purpose to ensure accountability for all LEIN access.
Question 7: Which system provides LEIN-connected agencies with access to border crossing and immigration enforcement records?
- INTERPOL I-24/7 network
- Department of Homeland Security TECS system (Correct answer)
- State Department Visa Information System
- Social Security Administration verification database
Correct answer: Department of Homeland Security TECS system
TECS (Treasury Enforcement Communications System), now managed by DHS, provides law enforcement access to border crossing and immigration-related records.
LEIN Interoperability & Information Sharing Protocols 2
What format governs electronic message exchange between LEIN terminals and NCIC?