When would an agency transmit a query to NCIC?

An agency transmits a query to NCIC primarily when they require information related to a criminal investigation. The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) is designed to provide law enforcement agencies with critical information about criminals, stolen property, and other items that are essential for investigative purposes. Accessing this data can inform decisions around suspect identification, linking individuals to ongoing investigations, and obtaining necessary intel for case development.

In contrast, obtaining a warrant typically involves reviewing evidence already gathered and may not necessitate a query to NCIC. Issuing a traffic ticket typically relies on local or state databases rather than national crime information. Updating internal records also does not require querying NCIC, as that pertains more to the agency's internal systems and data management practices. Thus, the successful completion of a criminal investigation is the most relevant context that necessitates a query to NCIC.