Fingerprint background checks are a common and reliable way of vetting candidates for jobs that require a security clearance. The process uses powder techniques and chemical reagents to develop latent prints, comparing them with known patterns on file. Many employers run a fingerprint-based background check because it produces more accurate results than name searches alone. But what makes fingerprints so reliable? Fingerprints contain friction ridge patterns that are unique to each person. The details they identify include criminal arrests and charges and case dispositions.
They Can’t Be Faked
A fingerprint background check is the most accurate method of finding criminal records. The ridge patterns on our fingers and thumbs are unique and cannot be faked. When undergoing a fingerprint background check, your prints will be compared to the FBI’s vast database of criminal records known as IAFIS. Fingerprint analyses help law enforcement identify people at crime scenes, establish timelines of criminal acts and solve crimes.
The information gathered from fingerprinting is also more thorough than other background checks, which use demographic details like dates of birth and names to locate records.
Because of the limitations of fingerprint-based background checks, it’s best to conduct additional research if you’re concerned about missing information. For example, when searching for arrest and conviction records, you must know the exact alias or legal name used in those cases. Moreover, those details might not be found in the FBI’s database if you were involved in an automobile accident or sued someone for something. This is a problem because relying on incomplete or inaccurate data could lead to unintentional discrimination, which is against Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Fingerprint background checks are commonly used in the hiring process and can be a great source of information on a potential employee. Employers must use these types of background checks to keep their workplaces safe. This includes ensuring they hire people who aren’t dangerous to themselves or others and protecting the company’s finances and personal data.
They’re Unique
Fingerprint background checks are a great way to ensure that criminal records associated with one person do not belong to another. The prints that come back on a fingerprint check are unique, and no two people share the same images. This type of screening is often required for professional licensing, such as with engineers, doctors, real estate agents, attorneys, and stockbrokers. The FBI has a fingerprint record database containing criminal arrests and court dispositions information. However, some issues may occur when using this form of background check. For example, fingerprint records do not always contain all convictions or details about the crime that happened. For jobs that require a high level of trust, you must ensure you are hiring the best candidate possible. Conducting a fingerprint background check can help you verify the identity of your job applicants, fight fraud, and improve the accuracy of your results. Contact a reputable agency today to learn more about their fingerprint-based background checks and how they can benefit your organization. They are built on the SureID(r) biometric collection network.
They’re Permanent
Fingerprint background checks work like this: an employee’s fingerprints are compared to the FBI’s vast database of criminal records. This database includes information about anyone arrested, charged with a crime or has had a record expunged. The fingerprint-based comparison is more accurate than name-based searches, as no two people have the same fingerprints. That’s one of the main reasons law enforcement agencies and employers sometimes rely on fingerprinting, even though there are many other methods of conducting background checks. A fingerprint background check can also cut down on false positives. For example, people with similar names can often slip through a name-based search because it’s easy for fraudsters to manipulate this data type. However, fingerprints cannot be altered, making them a more reliable identifier for screening purposes.
How They’re Developed
Fingerprints are a valuable tool in crime-scene investigations. They are easy to find and provide a clear means of identification. They also do not degrade over time and can be recovered from various surfaces. The ridges of the human finger produce friction marks that leave impressions on smooth surfaces, such as glass or metal. These prints can be transferred from one character to another with ink or other substances. In forensic science, an individual’s fingerprints are identified by comparing them with preexisting records to determine a match. The comparison process, known as individualization, may require fingerprint powders, chemical processing and other specialized methods. Larger law enforcement agencies have computerized systems that search local, state and national fingerprint databases to locate potential matches. A qualified fingerprint examiner can then review these to decide. Forensic fingerprinting has become the most important and widely used method of human identification. It is a powerful tool in criminal justice, and it is critical to the protection of society against crimes and terrorist activities. Scientists from many different disciplines have worked together to develop fingerprinting techniques. This work has led to many practical applications, including security and passports. It has also helped police and other investigators solve several cases.
