FY 2022 Ohio NCHIP

The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) seeks NCHIP FY22 funding to enhance the overall completeness and accessibility of Ohio’s Criminal History Database. 

    The criminal history records and fingerprint files currently submitted to BCI in paper form create a gap regarding electronically available data. Each arrest cycle must have a fingerprint card as a biometric verification of an arrestee’s identification. A complete arrest cycle is the arrest and final disposition or outcome of a case to complete the arrest event.

    Paper criminal fingerprint files include historical data and disposition information that is required for employment background checks and Indices inquiries. Both active and sealed records must be pulled and reviewed manually to complete the background check request. This physical process also creates delays in background check processing times. Based on the request workflow, in addition to staffing and other responsibilities, completion of requests can vary from 45 to 60 days to complete.

    This delay in access to criminal history information obstructs the ability to conduct accurate background checks for firearm purchases, and poses a risk to overall public safety. The electronic conversion of these paper records would drastically improve access to criminal history records.
    BCI will work with a vendor on the conversion of paper criminal files to convert 702,500 criminal records. The conversion of the paper records is estimated at $1,000,000.00. Conversion of these documents will allow for complete and accurate criminal history records in OBIS, and federal indices such as NCIS and NCIC III.

    BCI will continue to work with the non-channeler, which will assess Ohio’s criminal history records to seek missing dispositions on BCI’s behalf. There are currently 4.2 million missing dispositions in the State of Ohio. It is estimated that the vendor will be able to provide an additional 61,111 dispositions. The estimated cost of the addition of 61,111 criminal history records is $1,222,222.22. Included in the $1,222,222.22 cost of retrieving missing dispositions, a total of $222,222.22 will be used as cash match toward the FY2022 award.

    The FY2022 NCHIP grant request will achieve the following goals and objectives:
    Goal 1: Enhance the overall completeness and accessibility of Ohio's Criminal History Database

        Objective 1.1: Increase the number of complete arrest cycles within the CCH by 61,111 through continued partnership with a non-channeler

        Objective 1.2: Reduce the number of paper criminal files, including fingerprint cards by 702,500.