Federal district criminal searches contain federal cases only. Federal cases include, but are not limited to, cases where state lines were crossed during commission of the crime (multi-state drug cases, illegal alien cases, some internet crimes) and federal crimes (bank robberies, various criminal conspiracy cases, kidnappings, tax evasion, mail fraud) and crimes that are committed on federal property. Federal cases often do not have identifiers other than name.

Advantage: This is the only source for identifying federal-level criminal history records. Federal crimes may be perceived as being more “serious” than county or state level crimes.

Disadvantage: Records have to be searched district by district, much in the same way that county level crimes have to be searched. If you do not search in the district where a crime occurred, the record will not be discovered. In comparison to county and state level criminal history records, relatively few records will be found. Federal cases often do not have identifiers other than name.

CSS Recommendation: The federal district criminal search is best used on higher level employees/executives, and should always be run in conjunction with county and state level criminal history searches.

State repository searches are conducted through the criminal history record files maintained by respective state police agencies or state bureaus of identification, and are considered to be among the most accurate of all of the criminal history record searches available and are universally recognized in the satisfaction of due diligence and FCRA requirements for criminal history background checks on employee applicants.

Advantage: In theory, statewide criminal history searches cover all of the criminal history records available at the individual county level for a given state (more comprehensive than the county level criminal search). Many organizations require their vendors and strategic partners to perform statewide criminal history searches where available.

Disadvantage: Statewide searches are not available for every state and oftentimes take longer to return a desired result than county level searches. So called “instant” statewide searches are only available in 11 states. Some of the states where “instant” searches are available (such as PA), will initially indicate the presence of a criminal record, but will not disclose the nature of the record until the actual record is mailed back to CSS Inc, resulting in increased turnaround time. Statewide criminal history searches are generally more expensive than individual county criminal searches.

CSS Recommendation: In states where a true instant, on-line statewide criminal history search is available (such as FL & MI) the statewide search is preferable to a county level search. CSS is able to advise you on state availability, quality of information returned, and typical turn around times for search requests.

County criminal searches (also known as county hand checks) are in person searches of the criminal records maintained at the county courthouse level. Theoretically, these records are supposed to be contained in the state repository records; however, oftentimes these records do not get forwarded to the various state police repositories because of a variety of factors including budgetary, political, and human error considerations.

A county criminal search is a seven to ten year search of all criminal cases, open or closed, filed within a county against an individual defendant. All felony conviction information available will be returned, regardless of the date with the exception of those states with seven year limitations on the reporting of criminal history records (CA for example). Court access fees may apply and vary by location.

Advantage: County criminal searches are often conducted in conjunction with either a state repository or general database search. Turn around times are usually under 72 hours, with most search requests completed within 24 - 48 hours.

Disadvantage: Court access fees may apply and can vary by location. Some counties can take longer to return results. County searches are only as accurate as the information used to determine which counties should be searched for the relevant records.

CSS Recommendation: County criminal searches should be conducted after a Social Security number trace has been initiated, which will allow for a more thorough and accurate search of the available criminal history records.

Our basic criminal history database search is a search conducted through historical conviction records contained in AOC (Administrative Office of the Courts) and DOC (Department of Corrections) record repositories. These records are contained in a collection of proprietary databases known as the NCF (National Criminal File) or NCI (National Criminal Index).

Advantage: These searches are relatively low cost searches with quick turnaround times (instant in most cases) in comparison to county criminal and state repository searches. Database searches satisfy basic due diligence requirements for industries requiring quick turn around times on criminal history search requests, such as the staffing industry.

Disadvantage: These databases often do not contain the criminal history records held at the federal district, state repository (state police or state bureau of identification), or county level.

CSS Recommendation: The general database search should primarily be used in conjunction with another more dynamic criminal history search such as a county criminal or statewide repository search.

The sex offender check queries the sex offender registries in all 50 states to see if the applicant is a registered sex offender.

Advantage: Excellent tool for identifying known sex offenders.

Disadvantage: Some jurisdictions do not update their sex offender registries as often as others.

Verifying ones Social Security number is done primarily to identify past address history, which is then used to identify the proper jurisdictions which need to be searched for criminal history record information. Because employee candidate’s resumes often contain material misstatements of fact or crucial omissions of information altogether, the Social Security verification is an essential tool in helping employers identify less than truthful applicants. It is estimated that up to 60 percent of all resumes contain material misstatements of fact or omissions of information.

Please feel free to ask CSS Inc. if you have any questions regarding Social Security verification.

The Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) as part of its enforcement efforts published a list of individuals and companies owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, targeted countries. It also lists individuals, groups, and entities, such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers, designated under programs that are not country-specific. Collectively, such individuals and companies are called "Specially Designated Nationals" or "SDNs." Their assets are blocked and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them. Industries required to report contact with people they believe are SDNs are financial, travel, insurance, export/import, or securities.

The LEIE search has national scope and is important to many institutional health care providers because the Congress of the United States established a Civil Monetary Penalty for institutions that knowingly hire excluded parties. Accordingly, the OIG maintains the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE), a database which provides information to the public, health care providers, patients and others relating to parties excluded from participation in the Medicare, Medicaid and all Federal health care programs.

Many positions within organizations require a specific level of education. With CSS Inc., clients have the opportunity to verify the highest educational level achieved by an applicant. CSS’s investigative specialists will verify diplomas, degrees, and certificates earned (highest degree earned), as well as verifying dates of attendance.

Advantage: This is the only way to verify education credentials.

Disadvantage: Up to 90% of all educational institutions now outsource their education verifications to one of two paid education verification clearinghouses. CSS passes these costs on to its clients.

CSS Recommendation: Only verify the highest degree claimed. Keep in mind that the name used when the degree was granted, the dates of attendance, and the year the degree was granted are required for performing accurate degree verifications.

Motor Vehicle Records are available on a nationwide basis. Because driving records indicate arrests and convictions for driving while intoxicated, or can evidence a history of reckless or irresponsible behavior, an employer may be able to uncover applicants with a history of substance abuse and/or other behavioral problems. CSS Inc. has online access to all of the respective state departments of motor vehicles (where applicable) and can return results the same day (in most cases).

Advantage: Excellent tool for determining suitability and history of a driver. Some alcohol related criminal offenses such as DUI/DWI/OWI will appear on a driving record, but not on a county or state wide criminal history search, depending upon the offense or the jurisdiction searched.

Disadvantage: Some jurisdictions (NH & D.C.) require a separate faxed release to complete the search request

(Limited availability for those individuals earning less than 75,000 per year)

Civil law is a body of laws regulating private affairs (i.e., torts, complaints for money, and complaints for damage) and is distinct from criminal and military law. Civil records are maintained at the county level and at the federal level in the relevant federal districts. CSS Inc. conducts civil searches utilizing both county and federal court records, depending upon the needs of the client.

These records may reveal information pertaining to the plaintiff, defendant, particulars of the action, as well as any remedies and awards. A civil search is a search of all Superior Court (Upper Court) civil lawsuits filed within a county on behalf of or against an individual, or a search of a particular federal district’s civil records. Many states limit the use of civil history record searches for pre-employment and course of employment purposes to those individuals who earn more than 75,000 dollars per year.

Records are usually available dating back 7 years for most counties and federal districts, although some counties keep records for longer periods of time. Court access fees may apply and will vary by jurisdiction.

Advantage: Useful tool for identifying adverse civil history information.

Disadvantage: Many states limit the use of civil history record searches for pre-employment and course of employment purposes to those individuals who earn more than 75,000 dollars per year.

CSS Recommendation: Use civil record searches for high level employees or for entity vetting purposes when looking to engage new vendors or strategic partners.

CSS Inc. will verify references from former supervisors, co-workers or friends who provide information about an applicant. CSS Inc. has several different methodologies available to handle your reference verification needs.

CSS Inc. will verify past employment on your behalf. CSS is able to utilize a variety of verification processes including manual and automated database sources.

CSS Inc. has a direct account with TransUnion in order to service your credit reporting needs. A credit report may offer valuable insight into an applicant's financial history. The employment credit report is especially useful for positions with fiduciary responsibilities and duties. CSS Inc. works closely with its clients to insure complete compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).