Fingerprint background checking is a process that uses a person’s fingerprints to determine their identity and criminal history. Fingerprints can be used to identify a person with just one impression and can continue to be used throughout an individual’s life. The process commonly compiles a criminal history report on applicants and employees seeking employment or direct access to public services.
Employment Checks
Fingerprint background checks can be conducted for several reasons, but the primary reason for using this method is to check a person’s criminal record. The FBI, which maintains a database of 70 million criminal profiles, collects fingerprint data from individuals who commit crimes. Fingerprint background checks may also reveal other information relevant to an employer. While fingerprint background checks are not standard in the workplace, they can help employers make better hiring decisions.
Fingerprints are the most accurate way to verify an individual’s identity, and a fingerprint check can link a person’s past criminal records to that person’s fingerprints. As such, fingerprint checks are vital to the workplace’s safety and protection of its workforce.
While fingerprints cannot be changed, a candidate’s criminal history is essential for employers. While some jobs do not require clean criminal records, employers often prefer to hire people with clean records. In addition, some criminal offenses, such as assault or theft, can impact an employer’s decision to hire a candidate.
Criminal Background Checks
The purpose of criminal background checks is to protect the public from people with a history of criminal behavior. These checks are usually based on public records, such as county, state, and federal records. They can identify active arrests, convictions, and sex offenses. However, there are limitations to these searches. In most cases, criminal background checks can only go back seven years.
Criminal background checks are a vital part of the background screening process for many industries, including law enforcement, government agencies, and private organizations. For example, the FBI’s IAFIS database contains over 70 million records of criminal offenders. The database can also include information on those who have legally purchased firearms. In addition, many governments, education, and healthcare jobs require fingerprinting. However, not all employers use this service. For example, it is not available at every retail store, nor can the FBI check employees’ fingerprints at private businesses. Criminal background checks are also used to screen job applicants before hiring them. This means searching public records to verify previous convictions. The results of these checks can help companies maintain a safe workplace environment. Additionally, criminal background checks can verify an applicant’s identity. And finally, a fingerprint background check can help employers prevent fraud.
Fingerprint background checks are not necessarily more accurate than name-based checks. They require the applicant to submit their fingerprints during the application process. The fingerprints are matched against the criminal history of the applicant. However, fingerprinting is not universal, and not all criminal records include fingerprint information.
Immigration Checks
USCIS fingerprint background checks are done on people who apply for immigration benefits. Fingerprints can be used to verify an applicant’s identity and citizenship. Fingerprinting is a legal requirement for many immigration categories, including naturalization and green cards. However, there are some exceptions. For example, applicants with certain medical conditions or physical deformities will not need fingerprinting.
Fingerprint background checking involves the collection of data through written and spoken responses. Fingerprint records are stored with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Federal officials use fingerprints to track information, and fingerprint records are an invaluable tool in this process. Organizations can perform fingerprint checks by requesting a copy of an individual’s fingerprints from a state identification bureau or an FBI channeler. An organization must have the legal authority to order an applicant’s fingerprint background check and submit the correct form, BCIA 8020.
Fingerprint background checks can also prevent foreign nationals from entering the country. USCIS uses fingerprints for immigration checks for various purposes, including screening immigrants for criminal records. They also conduct background checks on applicants applying for benefits such as naturalization. If an applicant has no criminal records, they don’t need to worry about these checks.
If fingerprints do not match, the applicant’s immigration application can proceed. Otherwise, the USCIS may require a new biometrics appointment. Fingerprint data is valid for 15 months, but applicants may have to attend several biometrics appointments. For example, this can happen if the applicant’s application has been pending for a few months or requested a particular immigration benefit from USCIS.