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Criminal Records Search
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I am looking into Criminal Record Searches and I'm not sure where to start. There are so many different categories...National, State, County, etc. Is there one I should start with that would tip me of
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Criminal Records Search

posted at 12/4/2007 1:28 PM EST
Posts: 8
First: 12/8/2006
Last: 4/2/2008
I am looking into Criminal Record Searches and I'm not sure where to start. There are so many different categories...National, State, County, etc. Is there one I should start with that would tip me off as to what others might be necessary? Any feedback here is greatly appreciated!

Criminal Records Search

posted at 12/4/2007 2:07 PM EST
Posts: 2
First: 10/4/2007
Last: 12/4/2007
I suggest you contact an agency that specializes in this service. There are many; most all staffing agencies utilize the services of an outside vendor for backround checks/drug testing. These professionals can advise on what tests are most appropriate for each situation, and further, legally what can be revealed and to whom. They can also advise about cost. You should consider adding to your service agreement whether you or the client will be responsible for the costs of such testing.

Criminal Records Search

posted at 12/27/2007 2:17 AM EST
Posts: 32
First: 7/29/2003
Last: 7/22/2010
The previous post is correct, and good advice -- perhaps the best advice possible in the present very imperfect situation. A wonderful, dreamlike, idyllic long-term fix: there does exist a national criminal records database. But employers cannot access it! Perhaps if thousands or tens of thousands of us employers beseech Congress, make obeisance before Congress, beg Congress.... It would be nice if employers had this ready defense against negligent-hiring suits -- being able to check a CENTRAL database, not the one for each district or county courthouse, to make sure, for example, that the carpet installer isn't a rapist.

Criminal Records Search

posted at 12/27/2007 2:23 AM EST
Posts: 1
First: 12/27/2007
Last: 12/27/2007
There are a number of agencies that do this. We are a hospital organization and do a local, county, state, and if applicable international check on each new employee. By company policy I am not allowed to recommend any company or service, I can tell you that we use First Advantage.

I hope this helps.

Andy

Criminal Records Search

posted at 12/27/2007 9:55 AM EST
lda
Posts: 237
First: 7/10/2007
Last: 8/31/2011

From a practical perspective, county reports are the only reliable source of data available. You can buy do-it-yourself BGC packages but Im skeptical of their value. Doing thousands of BGCs a year we learned that the quality of service from reputable vendors varies widely. It took us several tries to find one that reliably found most convictions.

Criminal Records Search

posted at 12/27/2007 10:32 AM EST
Posts: 1
First: 12/27/2007
Last: 12/27/2007
If you decide to run a County Search I recommend having your Background Check Vendor run all Counties; not only where they reside but also where they have worked.

Criminal Records Search

posted at 12/27/2007 12:19 PM EST
Posts: 3870
First: 2/12/2002
Last: 11/2/2009
Both Ida and Tonia bring up excellent points - the market has been flooded with background check vendors of varying abilities and performance over the past several years, and county checks are indeed the most reliable and current.

Stick with a well known vendor. Sterling Testing is one; Acxiom is another. I've had success with ADP in the past, but their sales force for background checks is almost impossible to get hold of and, besides, they post ads in these forums so I won't use them.

Criminal Records Search

posted at 12/27/2007 12:56 PM EST
Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007
Last: 8/19/2011
I use Kroll for all backgrounds including drug testing. I am very pleased with them. I am familiar with Sterling but have found them to not be as robust or available as Kroll, at least for my needs. Regardless they have a good reputation.

In my experience generally you don't need more than county or state checks. National won't give you any information beyond that and unless you have some unique requirement is really unnecessary.

Criminal Records Search

posted at 12/28/2007 8:00 AM EST
Posts: 1
First: 12/28/2007
Last: 12/28/2007
A comprehensive criminal background check involves county and federal level records research everywhere a person has lived, worked or attended school, including adjacent counties or federal districts and a nationwide sex offender search.

While statewide and national database searches are useful additions, there always remain the risk that any recent convictions or open and pending cases will not be picked up because these sources usually obtain records from county courts or other sources at various times throughout the year.

First Contact HR (www.firstcontacthr.com) specializes in nationwide employment background screening and would welcome the opportunity to support your background screening needs. There are no set-up fees, monthly screening minimums, and we can set-up a new client in the same day. Call 267-419-1395 for any additional information.


Criminal Records Search

posted at 12/28/2007 8:47 AM EST
Posts: 3870
First: 2/12/2002
Last: 11/2/2009
And don't use anyone who promotes their products or services in these forums
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