Crime Identification Technology Act of 1998

Citation
Crime Identification Technology Act of 1998 (CITA), Pub. L. No. 105-251 (Oct. 9, 1998).

Overview
The Act provides assistance to states to establish or upgrade criminal justice information systems and identification technologies. It expands the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) administered by U.S. Department of Justice's OJP Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and provides assistance for virtually every technology-based, criminal justice information, identification, and communications need.

CITA funds also may be used to support state and local-level participation in national databases managed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, such as the National Instant Check System (NICS), the Combined DNA Information System (CODIS), and the Interstate Identification Index (III) system. In all, states, in conjunction with local governments, may use funds awarded under CITA to improve or expand criminal justice technology efforts in 17 specified areas.

In addition to providing this financial assistance, Congress has given OJP discretion to set aside portions of its CITA appropriation for training, technical assistance, technology development, and evaluation.