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SEARCH provides states with technical assistance through the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) administered by the
Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). Under NCHIP, each state receives at least one grant through its
designated NCHIP agency to help improve the nation's criminal history record system.
Technical Assistance
Technical assistance is provided to states for the following:
- Improved disposition reporting, particularly court dispositions and arrests
- Procedures that enable participation as a Point of Contact between firearms dealers and the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)
- Flagging procedures to help identify felony convictions to strengthen firearm presale and pre-employment background checks
- Automated fingerprint identification and livescan systems to support NICS
- Review for state statutes, regulations or policies for reconciliation with federal requirements
- Interstate Identification Index (III) participation
- Model electronic, interstate rap sheet implementation
Technical assistance is provided by SEARCH staff or expert criminal justice consultants. Visit the
BJS Web site for more NCHIP information.
Application Process
Technical assistance requests must be submitted to SEARCH from a state's NCHIP-designated agency. For more information or to apply for NCHIP technical assistance, please contact , Justice Information Services Specialist.
