How to Understand and Interpret Criminal Background Check Results
How to Understand and Interpret Criminal Background Check Results
You need to know how to Understand and Interpret Criminal Background Check Results in order to make informed decisions. This guide will walk you through the process which highlight key aspects to consider, whether you’re a business owner, HR professional, or individual.
How Does a Criminal Background Check Work?
You can do a criminal background check to see if someone has a criminal record. Police or authorized agencies in Canada often do these checks. They can reveal stuff like arrests, charges, and convictions. It’s important to understand what these checks are about to be able to interpret them correctly.
Criminal background checks types
Check your police record
Background checks provide information about someone’s criminal history within a specific jurisdiction. They are commonly required for employment, volunteer work, or immigration.ACI Background Checks+1Wikipedia+1
Check for vulnerable sectors
This check is more thorough for jobs with vulnerable people . It includes information about pardoned sexual offenses that wouldn’t show up in a standard police record check.
Check with your fingerprints
An individual’s criminal history is recorded in this comprehensive check. This is often used when there are discrepancies in name-based checks.
Analyzing the results
Record of criminal activity
There are certain offenses that qualify for a record suspension (formerly known as a pardon) under the Criminal Records Act. In Canada, these records are kept by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Some offenses may still be disclosed, especially if they involve vulnerable people, even if a record suspension is in place. Wikipedia
There’s no criminal record
“No Criminal Record” means no convictions were found in the jurisdiction searched. It doesn’t guarantee that the individual doesn’t have a criminal past elsewhere. It’s best to check in all relevant jurisdictions.
Pending the charges
Charges pending indicate that an individual has been accused of criminal behavior but their case hasn’t yet been finalized. Charges can affect hiring decisions depending on their severity.
Results Interpretation
Consider these things when interpreting criminal background checks:
- Check all relevant areas where the person has lived or worked.
- Recent offenses might be more relevant than older ones.
- Violent crimes carry more weight than minor infractions.
- Whether the person has shown signs of rehabilitation, like finishing a rehab program or keeping a clean record.
The legal stuff
In Canada, the Criminal Records Act governs the disclosure of criminal records. A suspended criminal record can’t be asked about. Some offenses may still be disclosed for jobs working with vulnerable people.
Complying with these legal requirements will prevent discrimination and ensure fair treatment for everyone.
Criminal background checks: pros and cons
The pros
- Ensures employees and clients are safe.
- Provides valuable information for hiring.
- Assists with legal and regulatory compliance.
The cons
- Risk of discrimination: Improper use of results can lead to discrimination.
- Records may contain errors or outdated info.
Interpreting Results: Best Practices
- Make sure the information in the report matches the person.
- Think about the context of any offenses like the time elapsed and the individual’s behavior since.
- If you’re not sure how to interpret certain findings then get legal advice.
- Protect individual privacy by keeping all information confidential.
In conclusion
Making informed decisions means understanding and interpreting criminal background check results. Always approach these matters with diligence and respect for individual rights. You can make sure your decisions are fair and compliant with Canadian laws by considering the type of check, the results, and the legal context.
Visit Crimcheck Canada’s official website for more info on background checks.
Feel free to contact Crimcheck Canada through their Facebook page if you have further questions.
