Which of the following statements is true about partial license plate inquiries?

Partial license plate inquiries refer to situations where law enforcement officers are attempting to gather information based on incomplete license plate numbers. The statement regarding the requirement for these inquiries to go through the DMV directly is true because the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is the primary agency responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date vehicle registration and ownership information.

When a law enforcement officer conducts a partial inquiry, it typically involves the officer providing a partial plate number to the DMV, which then uses its databases to attempt to match that number with registered vehicles. This process is crucial for verifying ownership and ensuring that any further investigative steps are based on the most reliable information available.

Other options suggest possibilities that aren't standard procedures in law enforcement communication. For example, partial inquiries generally do not provide full ownership details directly or utilize undercover channels, nor are they specifically limited to any one system like DCIN, which may not universally support these types of inquiries. Therefore, the answer regarding the necessity of going through the DMV directly for accurate and lawful access to vehicle information is the most accurate statement in this context.