Criminal Records Check: Different Countries Have Different Methods on Criminal Records Check

The need for information gathered through criminal records check came into fore when different business and community sectors needed to institute safer recruitment or employment processes. Through these criminal records check the suitability of a person for work particularly those that will be required to handle money and/or children, can be determined by the employer even at the onset of the hiring process. 

However, different countries have different methods on how criminal records check can be satisfied. 

Criminal Records Check in the U.S.

In the U.S. for example, the old system criminal records check were directed to different states in order to cover different criminal records. The advent of computer technology allowed all information to be centrally stored in criminal record databases which furnished information only in exchange for fees. Later on, all vital information became free and accessible to anyone who wishes to check into criminal convictions, sex offenses, felonies, misdemeanors, and incarcerations. The following databases can provide the most complete information in order to satisfy any criminal records check regarding anyone who lives or has lived in the U.S.:     

1. Virtual Chase List of US criminal records
2. Criminal Databases (States A – M)
3. Criminal Databases (N-W)
4. Docusearch Free Criminal searches
5. Find County Records.com
6. Crimestoppers
7. APB’s Sex Offender registry
8. Sex Offenders.com
9. Connecticut Sex Offenders Database
10. Michigan Sex Offenders Database
11. Georgia Sex Offenders Database
12. Prison, fugitive databases
13. NY Most Wanted
14. New Jersesy Inmate Release
15. North Carolina Prison information
16. South Carolina Wanted Fugitives
17. Texas Crime statistics

Criminal Records Check in the U.K.

Through the help of the Criminal Records Bureau, different organizations handling requests for criminal records check are able to gain access from different police database files, such as:

1. Those compiled in the Police National Computer (PNC), which provides detailed information about convictions, reprimands, warnings as well as related criminal convictions that took place in Scotland and Northern Ireland. 
2. Other information regarding involvement in crimes but of the non-conviction status, held by local police forces and law enforcement agencies. 
3. List of crimes held as information database by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA);
4. British Transport Police
5. Royal Military Police
6. The Ministry of Defense Police
7. Scottish Criminal Records Office (SCRO) for persons who had spent some time in Scotland. 

Criminal Records Check in Canada

In Canada, all requests for criminal records check will require an application form together with a full set of fingerprints using form C-216C available at any local Canadian police station. The application will be checked regarding the completeness of the following, otherwise, the application shall be sent back for rectification in order to be processed: 

1. The rolled and flat impressions of the entire ten fingers;
2. The complete name, date of birth and sex of the applicant who is also the search subject;
3. Signature of the authorized police officer who took the fingerprints;
4. All fields of the application form are properly filled up;  

The application must be submitted by the same person whose criminal records check is being requested, meaning third party requests will not be entertained.  

These are only three of the countries with differing systems on how criminal records check can be handled. This likewise requires the authorization of the individual to be checked in case a third party will request the information. As a process, third party request is eliminated if the job applicant will voluntarily submit to the hiring company the latest results of his criminal records check.