At Global Verification Network, we believe that neglecting to conduct the best criminal records search of potential employees is foolhardy. Why? Because hiring the wrong person exposes your business to theft, violence and negligent-hiring lawsuits. A professionally conducted, comprehensive criminal screening helps your business remain safe and solvent. We offer the most accurate and thorough criminal background checks for employment in the business, customized to meet your business requirements.
Why Do a Criminal Background Search?
Selecting a Trusted Criminal Screening Provider
Choosing the right partner for criminal screening is critical to protecting your organization while ensuring fair and compliant hiring practices. Criminal records are governed by complex federal, state and local regulations, and improper use of criminal history record data can expose employers to legal risk. A trusted provider understands not only how to locate records, but also how to interpret and report them responsibly within the boundaries of applicable law.
Reliable screening requires more than a single database search. Leading providers draw from multiple data sources and verify results directly at the county level, where records are originally filed. This verification process reduces the risk of misattribution, outdated entries or missing dispositions. These issues are common in instant database searches. In fact, studies show that 43% of employers have encountered inaccuracies in instant background check databases, reinforcing the need for expert review and validation.
Compliance expertise is equally important. Providers should employ FCRA-certified and advanced-certified investigators who understand how criminal history information may be legally used in hiring decisions. Proper handling of reportable offenses, adverse action procedures and disclosure requirements ensures that employers remain compliant while making informed decisions. Investigators with experience interpreting records from the criminal justice system can distinguish between relevant convictions and non-reportable data, helping employers avoid costly mistakes.
Veteran-owned, boutique screening firms like GVN bring added value through personalized service and transparency. Providers like us typically offer direct access to knowledgeable professionals who guide clients through screening options, explain findings and tailor searches to specific hiring needs. This hands-on approach contrasts with high-volume vendors that rely heavily on automation without meaningful oversight.
As hiring becomes increasingly global, employers should also evaluate a provider’s ability to conduct international searches. Criminal records outside the U.S. are governed by different legal frameworks, cultural norms and accessibility standards. A provider with global reach and investigative expertise can help navigate these complexities, ensuring consistency and accuracy across jurisdictions. When conducting a national background check, the depth of the verification and professional judgment matter far more than speed alone.
Industry-Specific Criminal Screening Expectations
Criminal screening requirements vary widely by industry, and employers must tailor their approach accordingly. Regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, transportation, childcare and tenant screening often face stricter oversight and additional disqualifying criteria. In these environments, a basic search may be insufficient to meet regulatory or safety expectations.
Healthcare organizations, for example, are required to conduct thorough reviews to protect patients and comply with federal mandates. In addition to standard searches, employers must check exclusion lists such as the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and SAM.gov to ensure candidates are not barred from participating in federally funded healthcare programs. Failure to conduct these checks can result in significant penalties and loss of reimbursement eligibility.
Positions involving vulnerable populations, such as children, elderly individuals, or individuals with disabilities, demand more comprehensive screening. These roles often require deeper searches that review multiple jurisdictions and identify patterns of behavior rather than isolated incidents. Employers must balance safety obligations with fair hiring practices by evaluating criminal history record information in context, considering factors such as job relevance and rehabilitation.
Transportation and infrastructure roles may require coordination with a criminal justice agency or additional identity verification measures due to security-sensitive responsibilities. In some cases, identity confirmation may involve fingerprints collected through authorized channels. When required, candidates may submit prints using a fingerprint card, which is then processed to confirm identity and associated records.
It is also important to understand how records are generated and maintained. Arrests and convictions are documented by law enforcement agencies and may be shared with state or federal repositories. However, no single system captures all activity nationwide. Some records originate at the local level, while others are maintained by a federal bureau with limited scope. As a result, employers should avoid assuming that a single search provides a complete picture.
The scope of screening should always align with job duties and compliance obligations. A role involving financial authority may warrant deeper review than an entry-level position, while regulated industries may require expanded searches as part of pre-employment background checks. Employers should also recognize that criminal history information must be evaluated consistently and individually to avoid discriminatory practices.
Ultimately, criminal screening is not about excluding candidates unnecessarily. It is about making informed, defensible decisions that protect people, property and organizational integrity. By working with experienced investigators who understand criminal investigation processes and regulatory requirements, employers can build screening programs that are both thorough and fair.
What are Our Sources of Criminal Background Information?
Global Verification Network offers the following types of criminal record services. In all cases, upon completion of the research, we verify and report all available felony and misdemeanor conviction records in accordance with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), if applicable.
County Criminal Records. County records, which can date back seven years, are a comprehensive source for uncovering felonies and misdemeanors in more than 3,400 county courts in the U.S.
Federal Criminal Records. Crimes in a federal criminal record include offenses that are prosecuted in federal court. These include embezzlement, bank robbery, transportation of stolen goods, counterfeiting, tax evasion, mail and wire fraud, kidnapping and more.
Prohibited and Restricted Parties Search. This search yields the names of known terrorists, narcotics traffickers, illegal weapons traders, money launderers and people subject to an economic sanctions program. You cannot hire individuals whose names appear on this list.
Federal Bankruptcy Records. A search of these records is undertaken to identify applicants who have adjudicated cases of bankruptcy, because this may reveal a propensity for financial mismanagement.
Civil Upper and Lower Courts. Global Verification Network identifies individuals who have been involved in product liability, breach of contract and/or small claims lawsuits.
Retail Theft Database. Global Verification Network has access to a database of more than 500,000 records of employee theft and shoplifting. These incidents were submitted by 500 member companies and may not be available in public records.
State Criminal Records. We search state police records and/or state criminal records databases (as available) in the applicant’s state(s) of residence to uncover crimes committed by the applicant.
National Criminal Records. Our national criminal background check discloses crimes committed outside of the areas in which the applicant has lived. National records are a compilation of the criminal records from municipal, circuit, district and superior court repositories, as well as the Departments of Corrections, Bureaus of Investigations and more.
Sex Offender Registry Research. The National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) is a national database of sexual offender records from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Global Verification Network is vigilant about verifying the accuracy of any registered sex offender record before reporting it.
Driving Records . Driving habits are subject to criminal recording, too. Serious driving-related incidents, such as DWI/DUI and reckless driving, are identified because an applicant’s unsafe driving can increase your risk.
International. We review the foreign background of a potential hire, or conduct international searches to help you evaluate applicants for your organization’s global locations.
Contact Us to Learn More and to Get Started Today
If you are searching for a vetting company to provide you with the detailed information you need to help make more informed decisions about a prospective employee, prospective tenant, business partner or financial professional, Global Verification Network can help.
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