What is the retention period for identity theft entries?

The retention period for identity theft entries is established to ensure that records are maintained for a duration that allows for law enforcement and other agencies to manage investigations effectively. A retention period of 5 years is appropriate to allow sufficient time for cases related to identity theft to be resolved, as these cases can often be complex and take time to prosecute.

Having this duration helps maintain the integrity of the information in the system while also accommodating the needs of both the users of the NCIC database and the subjects of the entries. After this period, it is important for the integrity and accuracy of the database that outdated or resolved entries are purged to prevent misinformation and ensure that the data remaining is relevant to current investigations.