What should be done if a TCIC/NCIC record is determined to be invalid?

When a TCIC/NCIC record is determined to be invalid, the appropriate action is to cancel the record. Cancelling the record ensures that incorrect or outdated information is removed from the system, which maintains the integrity and accuracy of the information available to law enforcement and other agencies. This step is crucial because it prevents potential misuse of inaccurate data, which could lead to wrongful arrests or misinformed decisions by law enforcement personnel.

In the context of information management, the cancellation of invalid records is a standard practice. Options that involve modifying the record or locking it for review do not address the core issue of validity. Simply modifying an invalid record might not resolve the root cause of the problem, and locking it for review could delay necessary actions. Notifying the original reporting agency, while important in some contexts, is not the immediate action to rectify the situation regarding the record’s validity. Therefore, cancelling the record directly addresses the issue by ensuring that only accurate and valid information remains in the system.