NCJ Number
100770
Date Published
1985
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the findings of the 1984-85 audit of Illinois' central repository for criminal history record information.
Abstract
This annual audit examines information accuracy and completeness, ensures compliance with State and Federal laws regarding the privacy and security of criminal history record information, and investigates other data quality issues. The audit found a pervasive lack of documentation of system policies and procedures. This affects the quality of staff training and ultimately the quality of the system's data. Incomplete records were found in more than 50 percent of the data base, which is a slight increase over the past 30 months. This problem is particularly serious when it compromises the records of repeat and serious offenders. Data elements from the records of two independent information systems were compared with corresponding data elements in the computerized criminal history data base. Complete transcripts generally corresponded with entries for transcripts generally corresponded with entries for the same person in the other two information systems, but discrepancies were serious enough to preclude a ''hit'' in a small percentage of cases. Current physical and computer security measures do not adequately protect the data base and supporting source documents from unauthorized access and intentional misuse of record information.