RE: 911:: No vehicle model?

April 19, 2000

> VINASSIST also provides this information by interpreting the VIN code with

a

> computer program. Does it in seconds and you can print your results.

> > annette hallmark

> ahallmark@...

----------------

I love VINASSIST. Ohio does not provide vehicle models either. I use

VINASSIST alot just for this reason. I also rebuild VIN's through it.

Officers often read the VIN's wrong, many times I have went to the program

entered the VIN, found which characters were wrong, got the other possible

characters, plugged in the one that would look the closest, and TA DA I have

the correct matching VIN to run through NCIC for a stolen check. (This is

easier then having the officer keep going back to the VIN and figuring out

which character they read wrong) Saved a few people headaches of getting

their car towed by finding the correct VIN, running the info and calling

them at home to see why their car is parked somewhere with no tags. I have

yet to find a stolen car this way, but I am hoping. I also had success

with a partial VIN, the officer couldn't read it but was able to give me a

really good description and part of the VIN. I tried all the possible

characters, ran it in the computer, until I came up with a match. Took a

while but the officer was really appreciative, saved her a lot of grunt work

trying to find the owner of the car.

I am also curious if other states have title history inquiries. I love

these through Ohio. We can run it from the title number listed on the

registration return or by the VIN. This is an invaluable tool when you want

to figure out if someone is using fictious plates or they just haven't

transferred the tags yet. Unfortunately many of our officers have limited

LEADS/NCIC experience and don't realize this tool is available to them

(still educating them it is an endless process). They always do it the hard

way, call this person at home and see if they sold their car type thing.

Naw no need to do that just run the title history, easier than waking

someone up at 3 am.

Sara Winfield

Union County Ohio

winfield@...

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