Everybody jumps over this like its some sort of taboo. I found these articles pretty interesting.
I would hazard to guess that USCIS approves your petition, then DOS submits your names to the FBI and after that Name Check is complete your petition is then sent to the NVC? The agency that submitted your data to the FBI is only allowed access to the status of your case. Hopefully none of us will be stuck in there so long that we need to query DOS for the status of our name check case.
FBI Name Check Program
FBI Name Check FAQ
FBI Name Check Process - Congressional Testimony