How a National Criminal Background Check is Performed

There is a plethora of myths related to conducting a national criminal background check. When searched through some search engines using these keywords, several links are shown about the sites that claim to have ‘comprehensive’ database and ‘instant’ access to the records. As a matter of fact, there is no central database or repository of the records for central, state or even county or municipal divisions which can provide a national criminal background check.

There is another myth pertaining to the collection of data from the reporting agencies or jurisdictions that all the states have fully automated system where anyone can obtain information. However, in reality, until December 2003, 25 states had fully-automated systems for criminal history information and 24 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia had partially-automated systems. There is no such federal law that sets the standards of collection, maintenance or research of these records. As a result, the standard of content and accuracy may differ from one state to another.

When you are conducting a county level on-site search in every place where the individual has lived for consecutive seven years, it would be quite an expensive matter. Though many a commercial site would claim that they would provide you with records for free, it is practically not possible. Owing to serious issues like identity theft and intrusion of privacy, states are restricting access to the private information to the public. This information includes SSNs and dates of birth.

National Criminal Databases

The national databases that exist cannot be accessed by the non-government users. There are national record divisions like http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/ncic.htm called the "National Crime Information System." These are updated and maintained by the FBI and can be accessed by only those agencies that have the affiliation of the FBI. There is another database maintained by the FBI known as the "National Instant Criminal Background Check System" which can be accessed at http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/nics.htm. This is all about buying and keeping firearms. This database is maintained to make sure that the firearm does not go to the wrong hands.

Checking an Individual's Background

Though an automated national criminal background search may not be possible because it is non-existent, background investigation is possible. As the first step towards it you need to know certain facts about the right person, for example, his or her first and last names, aliases, middle name, date of birth, some family members’ names, SSN and even hobbies or special skills. Before you start out your search by moving from one state to another, you must be sure that the individual has been to these states.

There are numerous government resources available where you can investigate criminal record information. Though a national criminal background check is not automatically provided, you can perform separate searches. For example, to search a sex offenders’ list, visit http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/registry.htm and for information on wanted criminals, go to http://www.fbi.gov/wanted.htm. The Federal Bureau of Prison maintains the database of inmates incarcerated in federal prisons from 1982 to date. The link to this database is http://www.bop.gov/, where you can also look for offenders charged by the U.S. Immigration and Neutralization Service and U.S. Marshal’s Service.