Where does III information originate from?

The origin of III information, which stands for Interstate Identification Index, is primarily linked to fingerprint cards submitted to the FBI. This system was established to facilitate a national identification system and allows for the sharing of criminal history information across jurisdictions. Each fingerprint card submitted by state and local law enforcement agencies is processed and stored in the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division, forming the foundation of the III database.

State databases, public records, and criminal complaints may contain various forms of information related to criminal activity or records; however, they do not directly provide the specific indexed biometric data that the III relies upon. Rather, III acts as a centralized repository of criminal history that utilizes fingerprint data to ensure accuracy and reliability in identification, which is crucial for law enforcement and background checks.