History

• Early criminal records were kept in hand-written ledgers.mountain of information image by pix29 from Fotolia.com
  
  Scientific, collaborative police work grew from 1969 to 1982, largely through funding for research and education that was provided by the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, a federal agency. As law enforcement improved, so did the ability to share information. The technical ability and the need to share systems grew along with the Internet.
  
  

Scope

• Computers provide nationwide access to crime information and records.global information technologies concept image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
  
  Law enforcement investigators can find information on types of crime, methods of operation, evidence, DNA, fingerprints, stolen property, field interviews, arrests, convictions, probation, parole, jail and prison inmates, criminal profiles, firearms and other crime-related topics. The FBI maintains a crime-information database known as The National Crime Information Center. The information is used by law enforcement agencies across the nation.
  
  

Security

• Guidelines are set by the FBI to protect the information it shares.stay out image by pix29 from Fotolia.com
  
  The FBI has guidelines that law enforcement personnel must follow regarding access to and use of the FBI's information. The FBI policy sets security measures to ensure the privacy and integrity of the data.