Background investigations.

The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) presents Improving Criminal History Records for Background Checks, 2005, which describes the achievements of the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP), its authorizing legislation, and program history. This report summarizes NCHIP-funded criminal record improvement efforts, including enhanced accessibility of records; full participation in the Interstate Identification Index (III); the automation of records and fingerprint data; and improvements in the National Instant Criminal Background Check, National Sex Offender Registry, and domestic violence and protection order systems. The publication provides examples of projects aimed at enhancing the involvement of the courts and system integration in improving disposition reporting. The report also discusses BJS efforts to enhance performance measurement, including the development and use of a records quality index. Highlights include the following: at the end of 2003, states held approximately 71 million criminal records on individuals; as of December 2005, 48 states belonged to III, meeting the FBI's standards for participation; and the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) supports nearly 8 million checks annually at the presale stage of firearms purchases. This report is available online at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/ichrbc05.htm or by contacting the National Criminal Justice Reference Service at 800-851-3420.