What is a Federal Criminal Background Check?
A federal criminal background check is a process used to investigate an individual’s criminal history and verify their eligibility to work in a specific profession, obtain a security clearance, or access sensitive information. The check is conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and is used to ensure that individuals who are entrusted with sensitive information or responsibilities are not a risk to national security or public safety.
What is Included in a Federal Criminal Background Check?
A federal criminal background check typically includes information from the following sources:
- FBI Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS): The CJIS is a centralized database that contains information on criminal convictions, arrests, and other law enforcement activities.
- National Crime Information Center (NCIC): The NCIC is a database that contains information on wanted persons, missing persons, and stolen property.
- Department of Justice (DOJ) databases: The DOJ maintains several databases that contain information on federal criminal cases, including the National Prisoner Statistics (NPS) database and the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) database.
- State and local law enforcement agencies: Federal background checks may also include information from state and local law enforcement agencies, such as arrest records and criminal convictions.
What Types of Information are Included in a Federal Criminal Background Check?
A federal criminal background check may include the following types of information:
- Criminal convictions: Information on criminal convictions, including the type of offense, date of conviction, and sentence imposed.
- Arrests: Information on arrests, including the date of arrest and the charges filed.
- Warrants: Information on outstanding warrants, including the type of warrant and the charges filed.
- Mental health information: Information on mental health records, including diagnoses, treatments, and hospitalizations.
- Drug use information: Information on drug use, including drug-related offenses and treatment programs.
- Financial information: Information on financial transactions, including bankruptcies, tax liens, and court-ordered payments.
How is a Federal Criminal Background Check Conducted?
A federal criminal background check is typically conducted by a third-party vendor or an employer, who submits the individual’s fingerprints to the FBI for processing. The FBI then searches the aforementioned databases and returns the results to the requesting party. The process typically takes several days to several weeks, depending on the complexity of the search and the volume of requests.
What is the Purpose of a Federal Criminal Background Check?
Federal criminal background checks are used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Employment screening: To ensure that employees are eligible to work in a specific profession or industry.
- Security clearances: To determine an individual’s eligibility for a security clearance, which is required for certain government jobs and contracts.
- Licensing: To determine an individual’s eligibility for a professional license, such as a doctor’s license or a pilot’s license.
- Adoption and foster care: To ensure that adoptive and foster parents are not a risk to children in their care.
What are the Consequences of a Federal Criminal Background Check?
A federal criminal background check can have significant consequences for individuals, including:
- Job loss: A criminal conviction or arrest record can disqualify an individual from certain jobs or industries.
- Security clearance denials: A criminal record can prevent an individual from obtaining a security clearance, which can limit their career opportunities.
- Professional licensing denials: A criminal record can prevent an individual from obtaining a professional license, which can limit their career opportunities.
- Adoption and foster care denials: A criminal record can prevent an individual from adopting or fostering children, which can have a significant impact on their personal and professional life.
Conclusion
A federal criminal background check is an important tool used to ensure that individuals are eligible to work in certain professions or access sensitive information. The check is conducted by the FBI and includes information from various sources, including federal and state law enforcement agencies. The consequences of a federal criminal background check can be significant, and it is important for individuals to understand the process and the potential outcomes.
