If a vehicle entry is found by license plate but there is no match, what should be requested next?

When a license plate is found but does not yield a match in the database, the next logical step is to request a vehicle identification number (VIN). The VIN serves as a unique identifier for each vehicle, similar to a fingerprint. It provides detailed information about the vehicle, including its manufacturer, model, year, and sometimes even its ownership history.

By requesting the VIN, law enforcement can cross-reference it with various databases to gather more information about the vehicle, which may lead to identifying the rightful owner or uncovering additional relevant details related to the entry. The information obtained from the VIN can also help in situations where the license plate may have been altered or improperly registered.

In contrast, requesting the owner's name or conducting retrospective inquiries may not be immediately beneficial without additional identifiers like the VIN. Additional license plate inquiries might lead to further confusion or delays if the initial license plate does not return any relevant results. Hence, focusing on the VIN streamlines the investigative process and increases the chances of a successful identification.