That means no one can say with certainty how many people have been killed in Kentucky since 2001 or how many serious crimes were committed during that period.

Kentucky and Illinois are the only states that did not provide information in 2001 and 2002, according to the FBI's annual report, which police use to identify trends and determine which crime-fighting methods work.

The data also is used in awarding grants, said FBI spokeswoman Maryvictoria Pyne.

In the FBI report for 2003, only information from Louisville and Lexington was included. State Police Commissioner Mark Miller said he agrees the information would be useful for crime fighting, but he doesn't believe the backlog has caused problems or affects any federal grants.

Miller said several factors contributed to the delay, including outdated computer equipment and lack of cooperation from police around the state.

But Miller, appointed by Gov. Ernie Fletcher three months ago, said that if state police need current data, they can review their own records and reach out to police agencies in large cities.

"It's not a perfect picture, but it's a good picture," he said.

Critics said Kentucky's failure to collect such information cripples efforts to recognize crime trends and effectively dispatch officers.

"How does one evaluate trends and theories if you are not looking at a good, accurate database of reported crimes?" said William F. Walsh, director of the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville and a 21-year veteran of the New York City Police Department.

Miller said the 2001 report is complete and the 2002 report is being reviewed. Police hope to have the 2003 report available before year's end, Miller said.

State police have begun distributing software to law enforcement agencies that will let them report crime information and get access to current statewide data. Miller said they hope providing the software will encourage more agencies to take part.

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Information from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com