What action must the entering agency take if they determine that a record is invalid?

If an agency determines that a record is invalid, the appropriate action is to cancel the record. Canceling a record in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) ensures that the errant or outdated information is removed from the system, preventing it from being accessed or relied upon in future inquiries. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the data within the NCIC, as inaccurate records can lead to wrongful arrests or other serious consequences.

Canceling a record effectively communicates that the information is no longer valid, while options like updating, archiving, or forwarding for review do not adequately address the need for immediate removal of the invalid record. By cancelling it, the agency takes a definitive step to protect the reliability of the information available to law enforcement and other authorized users of the NCIC.