Job Hunter Tires of the Third Degree

After being laid off, I am on the job market for the first time in a long time. I have been completely taken aback by this experience.

These days, applicants are treated like criminals. Interviewers say "Wow! What an impressive résumé!" But then, since they apparently don't trust you or your references, they investigate your background, check your credit and test you for drugs.

Congress Approves More Background Checks on US Gun Buyers

The US Congress, spurred into action by the Virginia Tech shooting rampage in April, approved Wednesday a measure broadening background checks for gun buyers.

The measure, the first major gun control legislation approved since 1994, passed by voice vote in both the Senate and House of Representatives.

Big Ten Denies Football Games Were Fixed

The Yahoo! Sports story detailed Stephen Pamon's bankruptcy and criminal record while alleging that he is a problem casino gambler with a history of abusing women and children.

As for the far-reaching question of why the Big Ten would allow a man with such a seemingly checkered past to officiate football games, Delany said the Big Ten conducted background checks on all 300 of its football and basketball officials at the end of 2005.

The report on Pamon revealed two issues: He had been convicted of misdemeanor battery in 1997 and had filed for bankruptcy in 2002.

Local Schools To Beef Up Background Checks

New beefed-up background checks could catch criminals working in public schools in Central Texas.

Before the new system goes into effect in January, the Texas Education Agency, or TEA, is telling school districts what they can expect.

About one million school employees across the state will be required to have a criminal history background check performed.

Bill Would Help Curb Gun Violence

Seattle will join other communities around Washington to form a coalition to reduce gun violence.

State Rep. Patricia Lantz, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, has agreed to sponsor legislation that would deny guns to anyone who has been involuntarily committed to a mental health facility and improve the reporting of mental health information to the National Instant Background Check System.

Suspect in Ramsey Killing Seeks Background Check

An Alabama resident who gained notoriety for falsely confessing to the murder of JonBenet Ramsey has requested a criminal background check of himself as part of a job search in Georgia.

Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper says 43-year-old John Mark Karr showed up at the police department yesterday seeking the screening.

He says Karr received a form confirming that he had no convictions in Alabama.

Board Proposes Background Checks

The Board of Education recently introduced a policy that would require long-term volunteers at the elementary school to undergo a criminal background check.

Superintendent Stephen LaValva said the proposed policy is intended to ensure the safety of students interacting with volunteer coaches, club mentors and others who help with after-school activities on a regular basis.

Those volunteers, LaValva said, have more responsibility, influence, and, of course, interaction with students.

Pennsylvania Background Checks Available Online

People can do criminal background checks over the Internet for people living in Pennsylvania.

Police say anyone can run a background check using the "Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History" system. The system instantly determines if the name entered has a record associated with it.

If it doesn't, the system displays "no record." But if it does, troopers review the record and mail any findings to the person doing the check.

Sports Park Guard Had Criminal Record

Dennis Myers, the Visalia Riverway Sports Park "guest host" who has admitted to stealing more than $10,000 in copper wire — shutting down the park's soccer-field lighting system in the process — has a long criminal history, public records show.

But city officials considered a full criminal-background check unnecessary because of Myers' performance as a 24-hour security employee for the contractor who built most of the sports park's infrastructure, said Visalia Parks and Recreation Department Director Vince Elizondo.

"He passed his drug test," Elizondo said. "And [he] came highly recommended by everyone we talked to."

Police Chief Fired Over Unauthorized Background Check

The first female police chief in a South Georgia town is looking for another job after being fired for invading the privacy of a city council member.

Poulan Police Chief Angie Schlosser was placed on administrative leave with pay this week for running an unauthorized criminal background check on Councilman Vann Jones. On Thursday, the city council met in executive session and voted unanimously to fire her.

The chief has said she ran the background check to complete the requirements of employment for Jones, who was applying for a job.

Salvation Army Forgoes Background Checks Despite Alleged Theft

The Salvation Army says allegations against a bell ringer won't change how they do business this time of year.

Sean Sayers, 33, was arrested this week for allegedly stealing Christmas ornaments from the Wal-Mart where he was working outside as a bell ringer, a violation of his probation on a previous case.

"It always makes me sad," said Major Richard Hartman of the Salvation Army about the Anderson case. "I wish we could introduce them to Jesus and let them know that God can change their lives. You don't have to steal."

Randstad Doesn't Hire Illegals, Official Said

There is new information in the NewsChannel 5 Investigation that uncovered illegal immigrants working inside one of Middle Tennessee's largest employers.

The workers are using fake documents to get hired at the Electrolux plant in Robertson County.

Anchor/reporter Scott Arnold's undercover investigation revealed exactly how the undocumented immigrants were hired.

CSU Implements New Background Check Policy After Employee Arrest

Colorado State University is instituting a new background check policy a day after an employee was arrested for multiple sexual assaults and burglaries.

Samuel Kase White, 30, was arrested Monday night for sexual assault and burglary in two separate cases. Fort Collins Police say both incidents happened on September 28.

White was an administrative assistant in CSU's human resources department and had some access to personnel information, according to the university. He was hired last April.

Wife of Las Vegas Sands' CEO Must Have Background Check

The wife of Las Vegas Sands' chief executive officer isn't exempt from a casino background investigation, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board ruled Monday.

Sands BethWorks, a subsidiary of Las Vegas Sands Corp., asked the state regulatory agency to exempt Miriam Adelson from a background investigation, even though the casino lists her as one of its principals.

Principals are those with ownership stakes in a facility and could have some decision-making powers.

They are required by state law to undergo background investigations in order to be licensed.

Some Tips for Giving this Holiday

‘Tis the season for giving, and with the year coming to a close, many area residents will find ways to squeeze their donations in before year end.

But Pittsburg Police Lt. Henry Krantz urged locals to be careful when deciding who to donate to.

"Know the people you are giving to," Krantz said. "They need to show some sort of credibility in who they are collecting for and have a reputable background or reputable name for who they are. There's nothing to say you can't do some background check or make some phone calls to make sure it is viable."

Criminal Background Check Required for Green Bay Cabbies

There's a new ordinance in Green Bay, and officials say they put in on the books just in time.

The ordinance to require criminal background checks of those who drive taxicabs, limos, day care vans and medical transport vans was passed after a cab driver was accused of raping one of his customers.

Mukasey tells Utah Gathering That Instant Gun Background Check System Working

He did not talk about "waterboarding" or wiretapping.

Instead, Michael Mukasey focused on cooperation between state and federal prosecutors during his first public remarks since becoming U.S. Attorney General.

Mukasey announced that the number of people barred from purchasing guns because of mental health problems has doubled since the Virginia Tech shootings earlier this year. It was because of a joint federal-state database initiative that allows authorities to share information.

Church Adopts Background Check Procedures

With registered sex offenders living and working among us in Meridian, Northcrest Baptist Church says none of those offenders will work or volunteer at their church.

Last month, Northcrest implemented a policy that requires all new personnel working with youth to undergo two types of background checks.

State May Regulate Computer Dating

New Jersey is one step closer to requiring criminal background checks for online dating services, something lawmakers insist will make the Internet safer but others say will do little to actually protect people.

A bill cleared unanimously by the Assembly's Law and Public Safety Committee on Monday would require online dating sites to either screen users for past criminal offenses or prominently disclose that they do not.

Charge Emerges During Background Check

A Newport News man's interest in law enforcement has led to a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The charge against 20-year-old Oliver Shea Wright emerged during a routine background check after he applied to become a police officer.

Police say the charge stems from an inappropriate relationship Wright had with a 15-year-old from Newport News. Police said the relationship was consensual.

Diocese Gives Precedence to Background Checks

A potential predator will “think twice” before attempting to gain a paid or volunteer position that calls for him or her to work with children at parishes in the Diocese of Joliet, said Franciscan Sister Judith Davies, chancellor of the diocese, speaking about background checks that are mandatory for staff and volunteers who deal with youngsters in church or school settings.

“They are good deterrents,” the church leader, who serves as safe environment program coordinator for the diocese, told the Catholic Explorer Nov. 8.

Article 13 of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People states: “Dioceses/eparchies are to evaluate the background of all incardinated and non-incardinated priests and deacons who are engaged in ecclesiastical ministry in the diocese/eparchy and of all diocesan/eparchial and parish/school or other paid personnel and volunteers whose duties include ongoing, unsupervised contact with minors. Specifically, they are to utilize the resources of law enforcement and other community agencies. In addition, they are to employ adequate screening and evaluative techniques in deciding the fitness of candidates for ordination.”

Initial Approval Given for Student Background Checks

Some North Dakota university students would have to be fingerprinted and pay $55 for a criminal background check, under a plan given preliminary approval by the state Board of Higher Education.

Schools already can seek background checks using state or private firms, but they are not always as extensive as FBI reports, board members said. The plan discussed Thursday would require FBI criminal history reports for students and employees who are designated by the university chancellor.

Sitter Gets Expensive Lesson On Check Schemes

An Omaha college student cashed a check for baby-sitting services, only to learn she was caught up in a wire transfer scheme.

Stephanie Schaefer, 20, said she lists her baby-sitting services on SitterCity.com. The page is a resource for parents who need help watching their children.

Chairman Advocates to Strengthen Gun Laws

The chairman of the Virginia Tech panel of investigation for April 16 spoke at a meeting Monday with the Virginia Center for Public Safety, a gun control advocacy group.

W. Gerald Massengill spoke supporting the strengthening of background checks for purchasing guns, an issue that has been brought forth by many in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Background-Check Bill Advances

The Utah Department of Workforce Services wants to be sure that children getting care from family, friends and neighbors are in a safe environment.

A legislative committee agreed with that stance on Wednesday, passing out a bill that requires background checks for those child-care providers if they are getting state subsidies.

Background Check Boom

Already this year, 25 million Americans have had background checks by the federal government, a number that's risen every year since 2001.

Experts say more civilians are now checked each year than criminals. And checks on the vast majority come back clean, even as states allot more money for screening operations.

Background Check for Coaches on Way

A new policy requiring volunteer coaches in the Recreation Department to undergo criminal background checks will likely be submitted to the city attorney for review by the end of next month, officials said.

The announcement came as the Park, Beach and Recreation Commission on Wednesday once again discussed the issue of revamping the application process for coaches with tougher standards.

Former Guard Accused of Robbing Bank

Kelly Murphy, 46, is accused of robbing a Grand Forks bank in March. Murphy had worked at the Grand Forks County Jail. He was fired after authorities learned he had provided a false middle name for a background check.

"We ran a criminal history check on him and everything came back fine," says Bret Burkholder, Grand Forks Co. Jail Administrator. "At that same time, we did take finger prints, and we ran fingerprints on him. They take about a week to get back, to ten days, that`s when we discovered the problem with Mr. Murphy.

Murphy has a criminal record in Colorado that includes harassment, stalking and assault.

Defense ID Selected as Finalist for 2007 Best New Product of the Year

Access Control & Security Systems Magazine has announced that Mobilisa's Defense ID is a finalist for the 2007 Best New Product of the Year contest.

Defense ID is an advanced ID card scanning system that uses a mobile, hand-held computer to conduct a quick background check of a visitor or vendor.

Investigators Launch Nanny Background Check Site

Adding to their their ever-growing areas of expertise, web-based investigators Jim Stewart and Jay Alberts have launched a new site dedicated to providing parents with background checks for prospective nannies or babysitters.

NannyBackgroundSearch.com, officially launched on Tuesday, October 30, offers parents and childcare establishments the opportunity to check out the history of their applicants. Among the searches offered are standard background search fare such as criminal history, sex offenses and violent offender database search. But this sleuthing duo also makes the point that it isn't just the kids that are susceptible to criminally-minded nannies.

Laws are Key to Cleaning up Locksmith Business

The last thing you want is to hand a criminal the keys to your home.

But when you call a locksmith in this state, you never know who's going to show up — a professional or a scofflaw trying to cheat unsuspecting customers.

Florida doesn't regulate the industry that consumers trust with access to homes, businesses and cars. That means no licensing, no competency tests, no background checks.

Bill to Combat Elder Abuse Gathers Dust on Capitol Hill

Jennifer Coldren said her grandmother became depressed and had a stroke after the rape in May 2006. She decided to care for her at home, no longer trusting the nursing home. A nursing home aide, who had been hired before a background check was completed, was convicted of the crime in March. It turned out he had a criminal record and would not have been hired if the nursing home had waited for the background check.

"Every time I pick up the paper, it seems you hear more and more of [abuse] going on," Coldren said. "I had never really noticed it before this happened."

Background Checks Delay New Hires at Sea-Tac Airport

About 400 people hired this month for jobs at Sea-Tac Airport can't start work until the Transportation Security Administration completes new background checks.

Workers hired for cargo and baggage handling as well as restaurants in secure areas need to pass a regular criminal background check plus a new terrorism database search.

Senator Plans to Appeal Decision on Failed Background Check

State Senator Jim Barone said he will challenge a decision that will prohibit him from serving on the board of a group involved in racing in southeast Kansas.

Last Friday, the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission voted that Barone did not pass a background check. It did not explain its decision.

Gaps in Colorado Database May Let Offenders Slip By

Colorado’s background checks for school employees have weeded out dozens of teachers and teacher applicants with criminal convictions and misconduct allegations, including sexual abuse, state records show.

From 2001 through 2005, the Colorado Department of Education suspended, denied or revoked licenses for 151 teachers. Fifty-one of those cases involved sexual misconduct, according to an Associated Press analysis.

Work & Family Mailbox

Q: I need to hire a nanny. Can you offer tips for background checks? How can I cover the basics without launching an FBI investigation?
D.P., Plano, Texas

A: For candidates over 18, a background check is a good idea and can usually be done for roughly $100 to $200 or less. The first step is to verify a candidate's Social Security number and past addresses; this tells you where to search for any arrest or criminal records, says Michael Gerard, executive director of Sitter Cafe (www.sittercafe.com), Solon, Ohio, an online sitter search service. Second, you'll need a county criminal-records check from each county where the candidate has lived, to uncover any assault, theft, check-kiting or disorderly conduct cases -- "the common types of convictions you're looking for," Mr. Gerard says. Third, you'll need a check of criminal and sex-offender records in the states where the candidate has lived. You also should have the candidate's driving and credit records checked, Mr. Gerard says.

Green Card Plan Needs to be Thought Through

Don't you sometimes wonder what science-fiction world our government officials are inhabiting? These are clearly worlds without mathematics, reason, physics.

It's from just such a world that we get news from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reporting that the feds are planning to make immigrants who carry old-style green cards without expiration dates pay for new cards that must be renewed every 10 years.

Each new card must be applied for. Each carries a price of $370, requires a criminal background check, photos and fingerprints. If the background check shows a conviction that could include even misdemeanors - deportation.

Mother of Va. Tech Shooting Victim Pushes Background Check Bill

The mother of a student killed in the attacks at Virginia Tech says she'll be in Washington D.C. to push for tougher background checks on gun purchases on Tuesday - the six-month anniversary of her son's death.

Lettie Clark, of Columbia County, said she plans to meet with congressional leaders about a proposed bill that would overhaul the nation's background check system.

Don't Be A Victim: Background Checks

You come into contact with a number of people who interact with you and your family everyday: your child's soccer coach, your landscaper or your handyman, to name a few. Chances are they're all on the up and up, but if they’re coming into your home, you should raise the appropriate questions with them.

"There are essentially unhealthy people out there, predators that come into our lives looking like and acting like they're just good-natured people,” said Robert Siciliano, a security expert.

Judge Rejects Request to Halt NASA Background Checks

In a surprise ruling, a federal district court judge in California decided late Wednesday that a section of a NASA background check asking contract employees about past drug use did not violate the Fourth Amendment. The judge had said on Monday that he was likely to issue a preliminary injunction against the questionnaire.

ID Cards Trialled for Background Checks

A trial of the ID card system for criminal records checks has been dubbed a success by the Home Office but criticized by lobbyists as pointless.

The joint pilot between the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) tested the use two online services requiring passports or ID cards for background checks on people who want to work with children.

Failure to do a Background Check Backfires

Retired orthopedic surgeon Forney Fleming was just what the doctor ordered, or so Texans for Lawsuit Reform thought.

He was eager to bash plaintiffs' lawyers, particularly those who targeted doctors. So TLR, a business group that has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars bashing plaintiffs' lawyers and winning restrictions on judgments against physicians and other defendants, signed him up as a volunteer speaker.

Inaccurate Background Check Derails Job Hunter

During the past year, former real estate office manager Paul Davis sent out more than 100 resumes and applications and wondered why his efforts resulted in only two calls.

After talking to one helpful human resources manager, he was told he would find the answer by looking at his criminal background.

Revised UM Policy Will Require Criminal Background Checks of New Hires

Anyone who wants to work for the University of Missouri System will be subject to a criminal background check by a private contractor once a revised personnel policy takes effect on Oct. 1.

Newly hired, rehired or promoted employees and department transfers will be subject to the background checks. The new policy will apply to applicants for faculty and staff full-time, part-time and temporary positions. The policy will not apply to student workers.

Checking up on the Officials

Thirty-one NCAA Division I conference commissioners will meet over the next two days at the Big Ten Conference offices in Park Ridge, Ill. Big West commissioner Dennis Farrell expects background checks for officials to be a hot topic after a sports betting scandal involving a referee rocked the NBA.

Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty on Aug. 15 to two federal charges after the FBI investigated allegations he gambled on games he officiated and made calls to influence the point spread. Farrell said the case has given the NCAA and its conferences reason to wonder if they are doing enough to preserve the integrity of college athletics.

Utah's Concealed-Weapon Licenses are no Longer Easy to Acquire Abroad

Though Utah's concealed-gun permit has won the hearts of self-defense advocates nationwide - about half the permits are issued to residents of other states - an emergency change in rules will keep it from becoming equally popular around the globe.

A legislative committee learned Tuesday that about 1,000 citizens of foreign countries have earned Utah's wallet identification card signifying they can pack a gun out of sight in Utah and any of 30 U.S. states that have a reciprocity agreement with Utah.

CU Revamps Hiring Policies

CU is taking another look at the criminal records of its employees following the recent stabbing of a student by a former UMC worker.

The university recently finished criminal background checks on five employees, who were referred to the university through the Chinook Clubhouse. The outcome, however, is unknown to the public.

"The results of these background checks are private, protected personnel information available only to an employee's supervisor," CU spokesman Bronson Hilliard said.

New Foster Care Bill Includes Stringent Background Check

Sen. Tom Niehaus recently introduced Senate Bill 163, a foster care reform bill spurred by an incident in Clermont County — the Marcus Fiesel case.

The bill provides some requirements for additional background checks for foster parents. This would include a Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification background check and other additional checks that are required.

Background Check Catches Accused Child Molester

An accused child molester who fled from Merced in 2005 has been captured in Louisiana, Merced Police said Wednesday.

Merced Police were notified this week of the arrest Charles Robert Wilson, 31, by Bossier Sheriff's Office investigators, according the Cmdr. Tom Martin of the Merced Police Department.

Martin said in an e-mail that Wilson had applied for a job in a juvenile facility and a background check on his record revealed a $2 million warrant for his arrest from Merced.

Clinton Campaign Cites Flawed Background Check

A spokesman for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign yesterday blamed a faulty background check for the campaign's failure to raise any questions about Norman Hsu, a previously unknown businessman who suddenly became one of its biggest fundraisers.

Though a commonly used public record search shows that Hsu had multiple business lawsuits filed against him dating to 1985, filed for bankruptcy in 1990, and was a defendant in two 1991 California court matters listed as possible criminal cases, the campaign said its computer checks used insufficient search terms that did not include the two middle names Hsu used in the California case. "In all of these searches, the campaign used the name Norman Hsu, which, like the search results of other committees and campaigns, did not turn up disqualifying information," Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson explained.

Land Lord Fights Crime

Police have rounded up nearly 40 people in the past few weeks thanks to operation crack-hammer. Now, Elmira’s police chief is asking landlords to step up in the fight against crime

"Absentee landlords contribute to these problems by not screening their tenants but its not the landlord that's doing these things, they're not selling the drugs it's the occupants" says Elmira Chief of Police, Scott Drake.

Teachers Could Get Stuck With Tab for Fingerprints

More than 400,000 teachers and other school professionals in Texas might have to pay about $50 each to have their fingerprints taken under a new school safety law enacted this year.

Although teacher-group leaders were assured that the state would pick up the cost of the fingerprinting and mandatory criminal background checks, lawmakers did not include funding in the state budget, and efforts to find the money – about $25 million – through other channels have been unsuccessful.

Considerations for Better Background Checks

Executives faced with increasing concerns over the screening process for potential employees need to make better use of the tools already available to them, experts said.

Labor and employment attorneys say that the proper screening of employees is becoming an increasing problem faced by many companies. Some of the problems include making a hire that turns out to be the "wrong fit," hiring someone who is not qualified for the position and hiring people who are unproductive.

Background Checks for Contractors

The contractor responsible for fixing Government Plaza's leaky roof won't be doing any more work for Mobile County. But, it's not because the roof still leaks, it's because county officials say the man who is head of the company plead guilty more than a decade ago to fraud against the government.

Call for Better Background Checks for School Bus Drivers

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is calling for improvements to criminal background checks for bus drivers. His auditors found that many school districts and school bus companies will hire drivers, allow them on the road, while waiting up to 90 days for their criminal backgrounds to be cleared by the DMV.

After reviewing the records of 13 bus services in various parts of the State, the State Comptroller found that 12 percent of the bus drivers files did not include letters from the DMV indicating that their criminal history checks were complete.

Hyderabad IT Firms Put Employees Under Scanner

Following intelligence reports of a possible terrorist infiltration, employees of IT firms across Hyderabad have been put under surveillance.

Restrictions have been put on Internet access and the employees can use only the software approved by the management and can do only assigned work.

Blind Immigrant Wins Court Round For Citizenship

A judge has ordered the Unites State government to produce some background check documents on a blind Jordanian immigrant who has been fighting for years to become a U.S. citizen. The ruling could lead to a final decision in the case.

It’s the Federal Bureau of Investigation's name check of Zuhair Mahd, who sued the government, that's in question. The government said it performed the check before rejecting the man's application for citizenship, but the court said it wants proof the FBI check actually happened. The court wants to know the results of that check within 10 days.

Universities Need to Look into Background for all Employees

A background check of Kenton Drew Astin, 39, might have given University of Colorado officials pause before hiring him to work at the University Memorial Center. A check would have shown that he was accused of stabbing a 21-year-old man in Longmont before some 20 onlookers in 2001 and that he was later found not guilty by reason of insanity on charges of first-degree attempted murder, assault and felony menacing.

8 University of Colorado temps on paid leave for background check

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Eight temporary University of Colorado employees referred by a mental-health agency are on paid leave after 1 of that program's former participants was accused of attacking a student with a knife.

University spokesman Bronson Hilliard says the school hopes they can return to work if background checks find no violent crimes.

Background Checks For The General Public

Your child's soccer coach, your landscaper, the handyman? Do you know who these people are?

"There are essentially unhealthy people out there, predators that come into our lives looking like and acting like they're just good natured people," said security expert, Robert Siciliano. So to be sure you know who you're dealing with, take your own precautions.

"People are realizing their personal security and they're becoming much more responsible by getting background checks done," said Siciliano.

For years, major companies have used background checks to look into prospective employees. But these days, business from the general public is booming at services like my-background-check-dot-com where you need only a few bits of information to research somebody without their knowledge.

New Law Eliminates Waiting Period For Gun In Missouri

A new Missouri law makes it faster and easier than ever to get a gun. Backers say it just cuts through red tape. Gun control advocates say it's not a huge change, but believe lawmakers should have spent taxpayer dollars making more important revisions.

"Let's say there's a person who has an issue where they're in fear for their life and they need to get a gun fairly quickly," says Michael Meyer, of the St. Louis Association of Firearms Training Instructors. "If they had to wait ten days, that may be too late."

Now when you walk in a gun store, you can walk out with a gun, in minutes not days.

"It makes it fair as far as protection," Meyer says. "You won't be a victim."

Meyer says the law change does not mean Missouri is going soft on gun control, but simply cutting through red tape, and a duplication of background checks.

Union Sounds Alarm Over Background Checks for New ID

Stephen Barr - Union Sounds Alarm Over Background Checks for New ID - washingtonpost.com: "Some federal employees are smarting over their smart-card treatment.

Background investigations of federal and contract workers being conducted for a new government-wide identification card, which carries a computer chip, have drawn objections at two agencies and rumblings of concern at others."

How to Improve Background Checks in the Wake of Virginia Tech

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy: How to Improve Background Checks in the Wake of Virginia Tech - Politics on The Huffington Post: "In the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy, flaws in the current National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) were exposed. The shooter was barred under federal regulations from purchasing a firearm. Unfortunately, a lapse in maintaining the mental health records allowed him to slip through the cracks and purchase two handguns.

While the horrible tragedy at Virginia Tech shed light on the failings of the current system in regards to those mentally adjudicated, we must remember that tens of thousands of convicted felons also slip through the cracks of our deeply flawed background check system each year.

Millions of criminal records are not accessible by NICS and millions others are missing critical data, such as arrest dispositions, due to data backlogs. The primary cause of delay in NICS background checks is due to funding and technology issues in the states. Many states have not automated the records concerning mental illness, restraining orders, or misdemeanor convictions for domestic violence. Simply, put, the NICS system must be updated on both the state and federal level."

Attorney general employee fired because of criminal record

WTOL-TV Toledo, OH: Attorney general employee fired because of criminal record: "Ohio's top law enforcement official has fired a part-time driver convicted in a fatal shooting.

Attorney General Marc Dann learned of David Nelson's criminal record from a second background check done while the 57-year-old was working in Dann's office in Boardman in northeast Ohio."

Dating Background Checks: A Smart Idea or An Invasion of Privacy?

Investigation News - Dating Background Checks: A Smart Idea or An Invasion of Privacy? - PInow.com Investigator Directory: "The new world of online dating brings new risks to the world of romance. Dating background checks can give daters the tools they need to make informed decisions in matters of the heart.

Dating has always been risky. Trusting someone new carries risks, especially considering that dating requires some trust and often takes daters to out-of-the-way places such as cozy restaurants, darkened movie theatres, and so on. The new interest in Internet dating has only increased risks, according to some experts. Internet research firm Nielsen/NetRatings reported that in January 2005 alone, more than 26 million people visited dating sites.

Internet dating is very convenient and offers people anonymity and a feeling of comfort. Unfortunately, it is very easy to misrepresent one’s identity online. Users of online dating services can use false names and false identities, and can also misrepresent information to give potential dates a very skewed picture of themselves. Online dates can literally be anyone — anyone from a nice person to a criminal with a very violent past.

In 2005 the state of Michigan proposed a new bill that would require Internet dating companies to conduct background checks on users. These online dating services would stat..."

Smart idea or an invasion of privacy?

How well do you know your Nanny or Babysitter?

Investigation News - How well do you know your Nanny or Babysitter? - PInow.com Investigator Directory: "Babysitter and nanny checks can help you find the right caregiver for your child.

If you are hiring a nanny, au pair, babysitter, tutor, or child caregiver of any kind, you need to check carefully. The news is full of stories of children who have been abused, hurt, and even killed through the recklessness or instability of the adult who was entrusted to care for them. Sadly, behind each of these headlines is a real-life tragedy. You do not want this to happen to you, so if you rely on anyone to care for your child - whether for weeks or just a few hours, you should consider running a thorough nanny check or babysitter check.

Experts recommend that at the very least you check:

1) References. This means more than glancing at the names a caregiver has printed on their resume. Call each reference and ask very specific questions: How long have you known this person? How did you find this caregiver? Can you give some specific examples of what the caregiver did right? Can you give an example of something you were unpleased with? How long did this person care for your child or children? Would you hire this person again? Why do you no longer hire this person (if this is the case)? Remember: caregivers can ask friends and..."

Shocking! A routine background check can reveal identity theft

Investigation News - Shocking! A routine background check can reveal identity theft - PInow.com Investigator Directory: "If you’ve ever applied for job, volunteered, or applied for credit, chances are excellent that a routine background check has been run on you.

Despite the fact that most people have some form of background check run on them, very few people have an accurate idea of what a background check reveals about them. This is especially frightening since identity theft is on the rise. Many people only realize after they’ve been turned down for job or credit that their identity has been stolen and has been used by a criminal to steal or to perpetuate crime.

What can you do?

If you haven’t already considered running a full background check on yourself, it’s something you may want to think about. For a modest fee, you can hire a private investigator to run the standard type of pre-employment check, credit check, driving check, criminal check, and general background check that employers, landlords, and others can run on you. This can help you determine whether there are any errors on your records that need to be fixed and can help you find out whether someone has used your identity to perpetuate crime. Correcting mistakes and addressing identity theft before someone else runs a background check and finds..."

How to avoid identity theft

Quality control up to employers, not state

Journal Gazette | 05/30/2007 | Quality control up to employers, not state: "Indiana has few mechanisms in place to check the qualifications of security guards, relying instead on companies that do the hiring to perform background checks – a situation that some fear could put people in positions they’re not qualified to handle in a post-9/11 era.

“Theoretically, we’ve got a system in place to audit these folks and keep an eye on them, but it’s sort of like being audited by the IRS – yeah, it happens, but it’s certainly not something that’s going to make people sleep easy at night that these folks are actually trained and qualified to do what they’re doing,” said William Head, a senior lecturer at Indiana University’s Criminal Justice Department who teaches a private security class."

Idaho doesn't require background checks for security guards

Idaho doesn't require background checks for security guards | KTVB.COM | Boise, Idaho News, Weather, Sports & Traffic | IDAHO NEWS: "In Idaho, the state leaves it to cities and towns to decide whether to ensure security guards aren't on terrorism watch lists or haven't been convicted of crimes.

Idaho is one of about 10 states that doesn't regulate the private security industry, which in recent years has found itself increasingly called upon to guard against terrorist attacks.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, Idaho State Police has not submitted a single applicant for a security guard position to the FBI for background or fingerprint checks, according to Dawn Peck, manager of the Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification."

Rising Demands Jam Utah's Criminal Background Check Process

ksl.com - Rising Demands Jam Utah's Criminal Background Check Process: "Utah law requires security guards to be licensed by the state, but getting that approval increasingly takes more time.

The reason: Guards must get in line with employers, landlords, public agencies and other entities trying to ensure they're not getting tangled up with crooks. 'The sky's the limit in the post 9-11 world,' said Ed McConkie, director of Utah's Bureau of Criminal Identification, the state agency charged with conducting the checks. 'Everybody wants to know everything about everyone,' he said.

The bureau passed a milestone in November. 'We now get more criminal history requests from non-criminal entities,' McConkie said. 'It demonstrates the change in society's needs.'"

Gun bill targets mentally ill

KnoxNews: State: "A legislator who has been pushing to legalize the carrying of guns in state parks says he now wants to block the mentally ill from buying weapons.

'Right now, you can get out of a mental institution in the morning and buy a gun that afternoon,' said Rep. Frank Niceley, R-Strawberry Plains. 'I'm a so-called gun nut, and I think that's just wrong.'

But Sita Diehl, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Tennessee, said that reporting records of mental illness to government officials as Niceley proposes is a misguided idea."

Indiana depends on security companies to police themselves

The Herald Bulletin - Indiana depends on security companies to police themselves: "Indiana has few mechanisms in place to check the qualifications of security guards, relying instead on companies that do the hiring to perform background checks — a situation that some fear could put people in positions they’re not qualified to handle in a post-9/11 era.

“Theoretically, we’ve got a system in place to audit these folks and keep an eye on them, but it’s sort of like being audited by the IRS — yeah, it happens, but it’s certainly not something that’s going to make people sleep easy at night that these folks are actually trained and qualified to do what they’re doing,” said William Head, a senior lecturer at Indiana University’s Criminal Justice Department who teaches a private security class."

Metro Schools not following own policy on employee background checks

The City Paper - Smart, Fast, Free: "Following the arrest and subsequent dismissal of a Metro high school teacher, school district officials want to take a closer look at their current policy on employee background checks.

Although Hunters Lane French teacher Ronald Huff had no arrests prior to being charged with disorderly conduct in February, the case alerted district officials to the fact that no background checks were being performed on existing employees, contrary to district policy.

Currently, the district policy regarding information on current employees states “the [School] Board assigns to the Director [of Schools] an ongoing duty to periodically implement background checks on existing employees.”"

Grandmas included in school check

Journal Gazette | 05/27/2007 | Grandmas included in school check: "Nancy Jenckes doesn’t seem like a dangerous woman.

In fact, it’s almost certainly safe to say that she isn’t dangerous at all.

But these days we have to document those things.

It seems that Jenckes has a grandchild in kindergarten in the Southwest Allen Schools, and that kindergarten was going on a field trip to the zoo."

Landlord with shady past receives federal aid

Daily Freeman - Landlord with shady past receives federal aid: "A Midtown landlord who is a prior felon, has past links to the Taliban and recently had 16 units in his Broadway apartment building condemned by the city received $14,300 from the Ulster County Department of Social Services to house welfare clients in 2006 and 2007.

And Social Services Commissioner Roberto Rodriguez said if tenants with leases want to continue to stay at the Broadmor Apartments, the department will continue to provide subsides to building owner Noorullah 'Ron' Zadran."

MSU defends screening move

News-Leader.com | Local News: "Missouri State University officials insist that a new criminal background check policy had nothing to do with the recent revelation that a faculty member was a registered sex offender.

But it now appears that when Michael Hendrix's name showed up on Greene County's sex offender list four years ago, it triggered a series of changes in the faculty applicant-screening process - culminating with a policy approved Thursday that requires screening all faculty job finalists."

Prospective teachers face scrutiny, but is it enough?

Pantagraph.com | News | Prospective teachers face scrutiny, but is it enough?: "For many students, the bond they have with a teacher is second only to the relationship they have with their parents.

When that bond is shattered because a teacher is accused of sexual abuse, the consequences can be devastating for educators, the children and their families — and no school district is immune.

In a 2002 U.S. Department of Education report, Carol Shakeshaft, a Hofstra University professor and the report’s author, estimated 15 percent of all students will be sexually abused during their school career. The nationally recognized expert on educator sexual misconduct said the statistics point to a troubling conclusion: Sexual abuse by teachers is not a rare occurrence."

Avoiding Hiring Employees that are Going to Cost you Money

Investigation News - Avoiding Hiring Employees that are Going to Cost you Money - PInow.com Investigator Directory: "The statistics are nothing short of daunting. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, employee fraud cost the country more than $600 billion in 2003 alone. According to the Department of Commerce, one third of all workers steal from their employers. The same findings suggested that 68.6% of employees who steal do not have criminal records. According to the US Department of Commerce, more than 30% of all business failures can be attributed to bad hiring practices.

There is obviously a big problem when it comes to hiring. It is extremely difficult to separate the honest and effective employees from those potential employees who will end up driving your business into the ground. That’s not all: most employers agree that hiring time is a time of extreme stress, which just adds to the possibility of hiring mistakes. Most employers begin their employee search when they are short-handed and short on time, meaning that the resources needed to make careful decisions are simply not there. Most employers want to hire fast, which sometimes means just cursory looks at potential worker applications..."

What Can Employees Do?