What is the retention period on a stolen vehicle without a VIN or owner-applied number?

The correct answer reflects that the retention period for a stolen vehicle without a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or an owner-applied number is 90 days. This policy is important for law enforcement agencies and databases, as it establishes a timeframe in which recovered stolen vehicles can be held and investigated before being cleared from the system.

The 90-day period allows sufficient time for law enforcement to attempt to identify the owner through various investigation methods, such as checking against missing vehicle reports or by contacting agencies that might assist in identifying the vehicle. After this window, if the vehicle remains unidentified, it is usually removed from active databases to maintain system efficiency and relevance.

The retention period is carefully chosen to balance the need for recovery efforts with the necessity of data management within the NCIC system, ensuring that resources can be appropriately allocated to cases with higher chances of resolution.