Criminal background checks

Criminal background checks (CBC) means a manual or data base search of state and/or government files to find out if the person applying to volunteer or being considered for employment has past criminal conviction.  For it to reveal all convictions, the criminal background checks needs to be comprehensive.  This is so because a check that is done in one state would most likely not reveal the conviction that occurred in another state where the individual lived.  And a check that is done on child molestation convictions might not include possible burglary or assault conviction in the past. 

Criminal background checks are important to gage the person’s reliability.  A criminal background checks could also prevent possible abuse.  A criminal background checks must be conducted before the volunteer can associate with the children.  Criminal background checks are usually required before hiring, transferring, promoting or reclassifying an employee into a new position especially in security sensitive position.  Criminal background checks are usually done when the employer already has someone in mind for the position.  No other offer of employment should be made until the results of the background check are finished and reviewed by the hiring official. And it should be done annually regardless of the volunteer’s position and number of years of service.

The FBI has a data base of criminal records called the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).  Employers who require criminal background checks can access this national data base directly or though the criminal record data bases maintained by the state attorney general.  But this record though is not available to all employers. Access to NCIC can be granted if the background investigation involves jobs that work with children, elderly or disabled.  If the job does not allow access to NCIC, you can hire company to do the background investigation. This company can search as many court systems as you are capable of paying.  A number of these background check companies consult the data bases of information brokers that report on criminal records from several jurisdictions. 

If you do not want to hire an outside company to do the criminal background checks, there are still other options open to you. You can request for the court records where the applicant may have lived.  Some jurisdictions provide court records in their websites.  If not available the files can be found at the courthouse. Access may be restricted if the case is sealed by the court. You can also conduct criminal background checks over the internet. But do make sure that these online companies show compliance with FCRA.