Which agency must be contacted to verify information when confirming a "hit"?

When confirming a "hit," it is essential to contact the entering agency because they are the originators of the information related to the hit. This agency maintains the accuracy and integrity of the data, and it is their responsibility to ensure that the information is current and reliable. Verifying with the entering agency allows law enforcement to obtain detailed context about the hit, such as the circumstances under which it was entered and any additional relevant details that may not be immediately apparent from the data itself.

The local police department, for instance, may not have the updated or complete information regarding the initial entry of the data. Similarly, while the Federal Bureau of Investigation plays a vital role in national crime data, they are not the source for every hit associated with local law enforcement databases. Contacting the state law enforcement agency might yield useful information, but they may also rely on the original entry made by the specific agency that reported the data. Thus, reaching out directly to the entering agency is the most effective means of ensuring accurate verification of a hit.