Background
When you request a criminal or civil background check, are you getting the information you need? Many people don’t realize that subscription database reports may not be all-inclusive or up to date—or both. These databases rely on courts and other sources to collect information on people and companies. While these tools can provide a great starting place for an investigation or a decent resource when pressed for time, you should dig deeper if you want to be thorough. In fact, FCRA-regulated background checks prohibit using the information from such reports without original-source verification.
Because these reports can omit a significant amount of information, it often pays to use the old-fashioned boots-on-the-ground approach and send a person to a court for records.
Situation
A law firm representing a defendant in a civil litigation matter requested an updated background check on the plaintiff. The firm was fighting a losing battle and looking for any information that would assist their case. A background check conducted by another investigative firm provided subscription database results that revealed no red flags. As a last-ditch effort, they decided to conduct another background investigation to see if any new information turned up that would support their case.
Solution
We started by reviewing the current database findings on the plaintiff, which again showed no red flags. Then, we sent researchers to conduct in-person checks in every county/state jurisdiction found in the subject’s address history. This additional effort identified several serious criminal charges (misdemeanors and felonies) against the individual, as well as an active arrest warrant. In fact, some of the findings predated the first background check but did not appear on the original database reports.
Conclusion
The attorney was able to use this new information and is on her way to victory. Had this information been found during the initial investigation, she could have saved a lot of time, money, and aggravation.
To make sure you’re getting the information you need, ask your investigative partner the following questions:
- Can you explain the process for conducting background checks?
- Do you use database reports?
- Do you use online court records?
- Do you perform in-person research at applicable courts?
- What name(s) is searched?
- How far back do you search records in each jurisdiction?
- How do you determine that the findings are connected to the subject?
As you have heard us say many times before, methodology matters. Don’t assume that all background checks and investigative firms are equal. Make informed decisions.
