Which type of files does DCIN maintain specifically for North Carolina agencies?

DCIN, or the Division of Criminal Information Network, specifically maintains hot files for North Carolina agencies. Hot files are critical in law enforcement as they contain information on individuals who are wanted, missing persons, or vehicles linked to illicit activities. This real-time data is essential for officers in the field, allowing them to quickly assess situations that may involve individuals or items of interest to law enforcement.

The nature of hot files means that they are continually updated to reflect the most current information available, making them invaluable for agencies needing immediate access to urgent data. In contrast, historical crime files, national crime files, and emergency response files do not serve the same immediate, rapidly changing purpose that hot files do for North Carolina law enforcement agencies. Historical files summarize past data rather than offering current actionable intelligence, while national files and emergency response files may not be specifically tailored to the state’s immediate operational needs.