Two files automatically checked when querying a wanted person are criminal records and the fingerprint database. Criminal records offer detailed legal histories, while fingerprint databases provide unique identifiers for identification purposes. Other options like social media profiles and bank accounts are not standard automatic checks by law enforcement.
When querying a wanted person, law enforcement agencies will typically check several official databases. Two of the main files that they would look into are criminal records and the fingerprint database. These databases are critical in helping to identify individuals accurately.
Criminal records house a comprehensive history of an individual’s criminal activity, convictions, and interactions with the legal system. The fingerprint database, which may refer to a national database like the FBI's Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) in the United States, includes collection of fingerprints that law enforcement can check against the fingerprints of the wanted person. The fingerprint results are a unique identifier and are very reliable in confirming an individual's identity, as recognized by the National Human Genome Research Institute.
The other options provided, such as social media profiles and bank account statements, are not typically among the automatic checks performed by law enforcement due to privacy laws and the need for specific warrants or subpoenas. These checks are more specialized and are usually conducted only when there is sufficient legal justification and relevance to an investigation.