IOWA AND THE NATIONAL CRIMINAL DATABASE

3rd Degree Screening uses a National Criminal Database has a SUPPLEMENTAL search when performing a comprehensive background check. 3rd Degree Screening would NEVER recommend the national criminal database has a basis of a thorough criminal background check especially for Iowa employers. The purpose of the national criminal database is to find records from jurisdictions not searched from an applicant’s previous jurisdictions of residency or jurisdictions found in the Social Security Trace.

For example 3rd Degree Screening recently verified a FELONY theft charge on an applicant in a jurisdiction they did not disclose to the employer nor was the jurisdiction found in the social security trace information.

3rd Degree Screening was able to verify this record because the record was found using a National Criminal Database. 3rd Degree Screenings verification specialists physical look and inspect each possible record that comes back in the National Criminal Database search. Once the verification specialist determined the record needed further research, 3rd Degree Screening sent the information to our court researcher in the jurisdiction where the record would be located. Our researcher in the jurisdiction was able to confirm it was the applicant we were looking for by verifying the full name, DOB, address, and last 4 digits of the social security number to the record on file.

The example you just read above is a great reason why it’s important to use a National Criminal Database has a supplemental search to a comprehensive background check.

Every day 3rd Degree Screening runs a National Criminal Database search and receives “no records found”as a result. Since 3rd Degree Screening performs comprehensive background checks we find criminal records at the court level (county) that are not found in National Criminal Database.

For example 3rd Degree Screening recently verified multiple misdemeanor criminal records on an applicant. These records included misdemeanors such as theft and possession of marijuana 1oz or less. Employers may think this information would have been found in the National Criminal Database…It was not. If this employer would have only ran the National Criminal Database it would not have had the information needed to determine employment for the applicant within their company.

If you are an Iowa employer and using a National Criminal Database you need to know what information from the state of Iowa is being reported in the National Database Search. Even if a record is found in the National Criminal Database it is important t verify the record from the original source, which is typically at the court (county) level. If you are not verifying the record from the source you are putting yourself at risk of not being FCRA compliant. If you believe your background check company is verifying the record you should confirm they are. Has a rule of thumb, if you are receiving results instantly with records it’s safe to say those records are not being verified from the source.

Iowa Nationwide Criminal Database Criminal Source List

About 3rd Degree Screening, Inc.

3rd Degree Screening, Inc., is a full-service, background screening and drug screening firm located in Council Bluffs, IA. We are a proven leader in the industry with over 18 years experience working with nonprofits, government agencies, property managers and businesses of all sizes. We offer a centralized resource to companies who utilize applicant tracking systems, background checks , and drug testing their applicants. 3rd Degree Screening, Inc. is certified as a women’s business enterprise through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation’s largest third party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women in the US.