In the NCIC system, how are nicknames entered?

In the NCIC system, nicknames are entered as an alias. This is the correct approach because an alias specifically refers to a name that an individual may be known by that differs from their legal name. This allows for accurate identification and search capabilities within the NCIC database, facilitating law enforcement’s ability to connect various identities to a single individual.

Using the term "alias" captures any informal or alternative names that a person may go by in different contexts, which is essential for comprehensive record-keeping and retrieval in criminal investigations. The correct entry of aliases ensures that law enforcement officers have the necessary information to identify individuals accurately, especially in cases where persons of interest may have multiple identities or commonly used names that differ from official documentation.

The other options, while related to names in various contexts, do not fit as precisely as "alias." Entering nicknames as a second name, middle name, or pseudonym might lead to confusion or misidentification in the system. Each of those terms has specific meanings that do not encompass the broader, informal connotation associated with nicknames in law enforcement contexts.