Re: Incomplete Serial Numbers

[gthrall@ix.netcom.com (Glenn Wm. Thrall)]

>Don't insurance companies list the serial numbers of high dollar items 
in the N.C.I.C. computer?
>
>Therefore, if I file a claim using one of your serial numbers, and at 
>some later date you file a claim with the same serial number, or if 
you advertise a lens, body, or whatever with the same serial number and 
>someone runs it through N.C.I.C. it will come back as stolen.
>

Bill,

When a serial number is known at the time a crime report is taken, or 
discovered in the later investigation, the serial numbers are input 
into a number of locations ... including NCIC, Department of Justice 
for a State, a regional association of police agencies, FBI, and 
others. 

When an item is "run" a number of serial numbers will often return. The 
serial number of the camera or lens may be the same as the serial 
number of a Smith & Wesson revolver.

Also on the printout are descriptions of the item.

The officer then telephones the police agency who initiated the report 
of the most likely items (i.e., the Leica ... not the Smith & Wesson) 
and has them read it to him, or fax it to him, or both. He may then 
either call or go to the victim's business or residence. The local 
police agency will usually do that as a courtesy. Additional 
information, dings, scratches, whatever, are important.

However, you made the point well. If the numbers are known, they will 
be entered into many databases and can be run from either the local 
police station, or even from the field.

A victim, seeing his (lens, handgun, television) listed will receive a 
friendly reception at his local police station. 

Personnel rating reports (for detectives as an example) are usually at 
least partially based on crime clearances AND on gross value of items 
recovered.

In the case of Shutterbug, the first few numbers provide the relative 
age of the gear ... however I wouldn't buy anything from either a 
dealer or private individual who refused to disclose the entire number 
when asked.

And now back to our regularly scheduled topic.

Glenn

Glenn Thrall
gthrall@ix.netcom.com