According to FBI policy, where must all fingerprint cards be submitted first?

The correct answer is that all fingerprint cards must first be submitted to the Department of Public Safety. This is because the Department of Public Safety acts as a centralized repository for criminal justice data, ensuring that fingerprints are processed and compared against existing records. The policy aims to streamline the identification process and increase efficiency in background checks for various legal and employment purposes.

When fingerprint cards are submitted to the Department of Public Safety, the department conducts the necessary checks and forwards the information to relevant federal databases if needed. This structure enables a systematic approach to managing fingerprint data and ensures compliance with legal standards.

Submissions to other entities, such as the Federal Bureau of Prisons or local law enforcement, may occur subsequently for specific investigations or records management, but they are not the initial point of submission per FBI policy. The National Criminal Database, while vital for storing and providing access to criminal records, also relies on accurate initial submissions from departments like the Department of Public Safety.