What must be transmitted when an agency finds the missing person or recovers the property on file in NCIC?

When an agency finds the missing person or recovers the property that is on file in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), it is essential to transmit a LOCATE MESSAGE. This message formally updates the NCIC database to reflect that the individual or property is no longer missing or lost. The importance of this transmission lies in maintaining accurate and up-to-date information in the NCIC system, which aids law enforcement and public safety agencies in their operations.

Transmitting a LOCATE MESSAGE ensures that any active searches or alerts associated with the missing person or property are cancelled and that relevant authorities are made aware of the recovery status. This helps prevent unnecessary continued investigations or searches and maintains the integrity of the information shared across various law enforcement networks.

Other options like a verbal confirmation, a detailed report of the incident, or a notification to the public do not suffice in this situation. While verbal confirmations can support the recovery, they do not update the official records in NCIC. Similarly, a detailed report may be useful for internal documentation but does not replace the necessity of formally informing NCIC. Notifications to the public, while valuable for awareness and community engagement, do not fulfill the requirement for record updating within the system.