Does a wanted person inquiry (QW/ZW) automatically cross-search the missing person file record?

A wanted person inquiry (QW/ZW) does not automatically cross-search the missing person file record. This means that when an officer conducts a search for a wanted person, the system does not inherently include results for missing persons unless an additional specific search is performed. This distinction is crucial as it highlights the need for officers to be thorough in their inquiries, ensuring that they are not overlooking potential matches in the missing persons database when searching for individuals with outstanding warrants or statuses.

Understanding this separation is vital for law enforcement operations, as it reinforces the necessity for detailed protocols when handling missing person cases versus wanted person cases. Officers must be aware that each type of inquiry has distinct parameters and that relying solely on one type of search may not provide a complete picture of a person's status in law enforcement databases.