Access to Criminal History Records by Non-Governmental Entities Performing Authorized Criminal Justice Functions: Letter Opinion for the Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation [June 12, 1998]   [open pdf - 37KB]

"Non-governmental entities performing authorized criminal justice functions under contract with government law enforcement agencies may be granted access to criminal history records maintained under the authority of 28 U.S.C. § 534, subject to effective controls to guard against unauthorized use and to insure effective oversight by the Department of Justice. Because Department of Justice regulations implementing 28 U.S.C. § 534 do not affirmatively authorize dissemination of criminal history records to non-governmental entities under contract to assist law enforcement agencies, those regulations should be amended to provide such authorization before access is granted to those entities."