From 1998 to 2019, approximately 28.37 million background checks were performed in the U.S. by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). What does a background check show, exactly? It is used to verify that a person is who they claim to be. It also provides an opportunity for someone to check a person’s employment history, education, criminal records, and other activities relating to that specific individual. There are several types of background checks.
Criminal Background Check
Criminal background checks are often included in pre-employment background checks. This legal investigation into a person’s past can help employers make important decisions whether to hire, promote, or use a person’s services. A criminal background check report will generally show information such as arrests, sex offenses, convictions of felonies and some misdemeanors, and incarceration records. It may also show court records, such as orders, dockets, judgments, and decrees.
While a criminal background check can show a range of information, there are certain things that it does not show. Criminal background checks cannot contain civil suits or arrests that have occurred seven or more years ago based on regulations published under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). In some cases, arrests that did not lead to convictions will appear on a criminal background check if the arrest occurred within the last seven years. It may also show pending convictions.
Pre-Employment Background Check
Many employers choose to perform a background check on job candidates to determine who is best suited for the job and who has the least potential to pose a risk to the business. Unlike criminal background checks which focus mainly on crimes performed in the past, a pre-employment background check may be done to check the validity of a candidate’s work history provided on his or her resume. Though some candidates embellish their employment history to look more impressive in the eyes of employers, this dishonesty could affect the candidate’s ability to do their job well.
During an employment verification check, the human resources department will typically contact the candidate’s former employers. Currently, there is no federal law that restricts what an employer can disclose about past employees, as long as the information provided is accurate and factual. This means that if you were fired from a previous job and did not disclose this information in your resume, the new employer could find out this information by doing a pre-employment background check.
Level 2 Background Check
A level 2 background check is a type of specialized fingerprinting background check that is often performed on job candidates who will be working with vulnerable individuals, such as seniors, children, or people with disabilities. This type of background check is often mandated before you can start a job or volunteer position at a school, daycare, or senior center. They are also commonly required before you can become a foster parent or adopt a child.
When performing a level 2 background check, a database will generally be checked for prior arrests, convictions, and incarceration that is related to violence or crimes with vulnerable persons. In some cases, a level 2 background check will show records that have been previously sealed by the courts, such as juvenile detention or conviction.
Motor Vehicles Record Check
A motor vehicle record check may be performed when a job candidate is applying for a job in the transportation industry. A Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) is used to determine if an applicant has been convicted of traffic violations, unpaid parking tickets, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This type of record search goes by several names, such as driving record check and driver’s license verification. The Department of Motor Vehicles in each state keeps these records; there is no national database where driving records can be found.
A motor vehicle record check will show a variety of information, such as the information shown on a person’s driver’s license. The report may also list crimes, violations, and other driving-related information; however, the amount of data that shows up on a motor vehicle record check can vary from state to state. In addition, some states will only hold onto records for three years while others maintain records for as long as 10 years. An MVR allows employers to determine if the person they are considering for hire, is safe and responsible behind the wheel.
Find an Expert Investigator for Your Background Check
If you need to perform a background check on another person, you want to ensure that the information that you obtain is from a reliable and trustworthy source. Ideally, you want to work with an expert private investigator. For more information about the different types of background checks or to start the process, contact the investigative experts at APG.