1. The Legislature finds and declares that advances in computer technology offer promising opportunities for the solution of crimes and the apprehension of criminal offenders. It is, therefore, in the best interest of the State of New Jersey to authorize full participation by law enforcement agencies in the use of such advanced crime-fighting technology when its effectiveness and potential benefits for enhancing law enforcement and public safety have been amply demonstrated. The Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP), sponsored by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), clearly meets these tests.

VICAP is a national data center designed to collect, collate and analyze information regarding unsolved violent crimes, with emphasis on homicides. Since its inception, VICAP has demonstrated its capability to identify and inform law enforcement agencies in diverse geographic areas of similar patterns in the commission of seemingly unrelated crimes. Information supplied by VICAP has enabled these agencies to conduct joint investigations which have led to the expeditious apprehension of serial killers, rapists and other dangerous criminals.

It is fitting and proper, therefore, that New Jersey law enforcement agencies should take part in this program.

L.1992,c.22,s.1.