What are the different searches in a background check?
It’s standard practice to run background checks on prospective employees. But what exactly do these background checks cover? And what sources should be searched to get a complete picture of a candidate?
The answer to this question is not a simple one. The sources you need to check will differ depending on your need for relevant information.
In general, here are the components of a thorough background check.
SSN Trace
An SSN trace pulls up the history for all known addresses of an applicant. For this reason, it’s sometimes called an Address History Search. Besides address history, an SSN trace also reveals any aliases, maiden names, or nicknames associated with that Social Security Number. It’s the foundation for most other kinds of background checks, pointing towards other relevant sources that might be helpful. It’s best used in tandem with other types of searches to provide a full picture of a candidate.
National Criminal Database
National criminal databases are helpful because they expand your search beyond state or county lines. This is often your first point of reference in finding jurisdictions to search for a candidate besides where they’ve lived since it casts a much wider net of information than simply an SSN Trace. These multijurisdictional databases gather information from a wide array of sources including state court support agencies, federal security agencies, and state and local corrections departments. It can yield a deep and detailed look at a candidate’s potential criminal history.
Sex Offender Registry
This search can immediately alert employers if a candidate’s name is on the National Sex Offender Registry. Any applicant whose name appears on this list could be risky for certain roles. This is especially true if the applicant’s position requires working with vulnerable people like children or the sick, or if they will interact regularly with the public and/or other employees.
Fields in which employers would be wise to search the sex offender registry include law, hospitality, education, and human resources.
Security Watch List
A government watch list identifies those individuals who may be connected with global terrorists or anyone associated with a foreign terrorist organization. In many cases, these individuals have been banned from doing business in the United States.
Since 9/11, some terrorism watchlists have been combined together, making it easier to find this information. The watchlists can include the candidate’s name, date of birth, and fingerprints.
County Criminal Records
The most up-to-date information on criminal history can be found by searching court records. Many felonies or misdemeanors are tried and recorded in a county courthouse. By searching these county criminal court records, you can find information on many convictions, pending cases, or active warrants. It also yields some of the finer details about disposition, level of offense, and sentencing for each finding that comes up. However, a search of county records is somewhat limited, as it will not reveal non-criminal activity like infractions or traffic violations.
The specific searches that serve you best will differ, and should be tailored to the needs of your business and industry. Here at Veriswift, we can customize the process to your needs and get you fast, accurate results. Contact us today.