What message type is required when a different agency finds a missing person listed in NCIC?

When a different agency finds a missing person listed in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the necessary message type is a Hit. This message indicates that the agency has identified a person who matches the criteria of a missing person entry in the NCIC database.

A Hit message facilitates communication between law enforcement agencies, ensuring that the information regarding the missing person is accurately communicated. It serves as an alert that a connection has been made with the missing person entry, which is crucial for subsequent actions, such as verifying the person's identity and determining the next steps for their safety or recovery.

The other message types, such as Update, Clearing, and Modify, serve different purposes within the NCIC context. For instance, an Update is used to add new information to an existing record, while Clearing refers to officially removing the missing person's entry once they have been located and their status resolved. A Modify message is typically utilized to change specific details in an existing record, but it does not indicate a match like a Hit does. Therefore, the Hit message is essential for acknowledging the discovery of an individual on the missing persons list in NCIC.