In the realm of background checks, various types of verifications serve distinct purposes. Each type plays a critical role in assessing different aspects of an applicant’s background, contributing to a thorough evaluation process. Here’s a detailed look at criminal background checks, civil background checks, drug screening, motor vehicle checks, and more.
Criminal Background Checks
Criminal background checks are designed to uncover any past criminal activity associated with an individual. This type of verification typically includes searching for records of arrests, charges, convictions, and any ongoing criminal investigations.
These checks are crucial for assessing the risk an applicant might pose in a workplace or other settings. Criminal background checks can reveal important information about an applicant’s history, including violent crimes, theft, or other serious offenses. In many cases, these checks also include sex offender registries and may cover both state and federal databases.
To ensure accuracy, criminal background checks must be conducted through reliable sources and verified against official court records. Due to the sensitivity and complexity of this information, it’s essential to comply with legal regulations, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which governs how this information can be used and disclosed.
Civil Background Checks
Civil background checks focus on an individual’s involvement in civil lawsuits and legal disputes. This type of check reveals whether an applicant has been involved in litigation related to issues such as contract disputes, personal injury claims, or landlord-tenant disputes.
Civil background checks can provide insights into an applicant’s legal history beyond criminal offenses. For example, frequent involvement in civil suits might suggest issues with financial management or personal conduct. These checks typically involve accessing court records and may include reviewing judgments, liens, or bankruptcy filings.
Understanding an applicant’s civil history can be important for roles that require financial responsibility, legal knowledge, or positions involving significant contractual obligations.
Drug Screening
Drug screening is a key component in many background check processes, particularly for roles where substance use could impact job performance or safety. This type of screening tests for the presence of illegal drugs or controlled substances in an applicant’s system.
Drug screenings are usually conducted through urine, blood, or hair tests, depending on the specific requirements of the employer or regulatory body. These tests can detect a range of substances, including marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and more.
Employers use drug screening to ensure a safe and productive work environment. It’s crucial to adhere to legal regulations and privacy concerns when conducting these tests, including obtaining informed consent from the applicant and ensuring the confidentiality of results.
Motor Vehicle Checks
Motor vehicle checks are used to review an applicant’s driving history and assess their suitability for roles that involve driving or operating vehicles. This check includes examining records related to traffic violations, license suspensions, and any history of accidents.
These checks are vital for positions where driving is a significant part of the job, such as delivery drivers, sales representatives, or company vehicle operators. Motor vehicle checks help employers identify any potential risks associated with an applicant’s driving behavior, such as a history of reckless driving or multiple traffic violations.
By accessing state motor vehicle departments or similar agencies, employers can obtain a detailed driving record, which typically includes information on moving violations, accidents, and license status.
Verifying various credentials is crucial for confirming the accuracy and reliability of an applicant’s information. Below, we explore the different types of verifications frequently requested and their role in a comprehensive screening process.
Employment Verifications
Employment verifications are among the most frequently requested checks. They confirm crucial details such as dates of employment, job titles, duties, reasons for leaving (where permitted by state laws), and eligibility for rehire. Beyond these basic facts, employment verifications offer valuable insights into an applicant’s truthfulness, work ethic, loyalty, and overall integrity.
Traditionally, these verifications are obtained directly from former employers. However, an increasing number of companies are turning to third-party services for this task. These external providers often access data through payroll systems and may uncover additional employment history that was not listed on the applicant’s resume or application. This broader perspective helps in forming a more comprehensive view of the applicant’s employment background.
Education Verifications
Education verifications play a critical role in detecting resume embellishments and educational fraud. It’s vital to ensure that educational institutions are accredited by recognized agencies, such as the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education, to avoid falling prey to diploma mills.
Diploma mills, which operate globally, exploit gaps in accreditation to sell degrees that appear legitimate but are not. As such, verifying the legitimacy of educational credentials has become increasingly important to prevent the influence of these fraudulent entities on background reports.
International Verifications
For applicants who have lived, worked, or studied outside the United States, international verifications are necessary. This includes validating degrees and employment from institutions abroad, as diploma mills can also be found in other countries. Simply possessing a degree certificate is not enough, as many fraudulent diplomas can look convincingly real. Thus, verifying the credentials with the issuing institution or educational authority is crucial to ensure their authenticity.
Professional License Verifications
Professional license verifications confirm the validity of any licenses an applicant claims to hold. This process involves contacting the relevant licensing agency to verify the license’s issuance, validity, and expiration date. Additionally, it may reveal any disciplinary actions taken against the license holder. For positions requiring specific certifications or licenses, verifying these credentials is essential to ensure compliance with professional standards.
Reference Checks
References provide insights into an applicant’s work ethic, character, and interpersonal skills. They can also reveal information about the applicant’s performance in previous roles, including strengths and areas for improvement. Additionally, references can clarify if there are any contractual obligations that might impact the applicant’s performance in a new role.
Each type of background check serves a unique purpose and provides different insights into an applicant’s background. By understanding and utilizing the correct searches, employers can make more informed decisions and ensure they are selecting candidates who meet their criteria for safety, reliability, and integrity.
At Global Investigative Services, we are dedicated to being your reliable partner in background screening. Our commitment is to provide thorough, accurate, and timely information to help you make informed decisions. If you have any questions about your background screening process or need assistance, please contact us.
