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When querying the Person Files (QWA) in NCIC using a name and date of birth (DOB), the search is conducted using both the name and an exact match on the DOB. This means that the system retrieves records that match the name provided and require a precise date of birth, ensuring a high level of specificity and accuracy in the search results. By using an exact match on DOB, it significantly reduces the chance of retrieving incorrect or unrelated records that could occur if a broader search was performed.
Using an exact DOB helps law enforcement officials and other authorized personnel to pinpoint the correct individual more accurately, which is crucial in situations where identifying a person is necessary for safety, legal actions, or data integrity purposes.
The focus on exact matches is also important when considering the reliability and validity of the data within the files: it ensures that the search results correspond directly to the individual associated with the specific date of birth provided. Other potential methods, such as broadening the DOB criteria, would introduce a risk of inaccuracy or misidentification, thus being less effective in scenarios where precise identification is mandated.