A Public Criminal Record Search Is Easy
A public criminal record search has become increasingly easy during the past few years, especially easy since about 2008. Advances in computing power, database efficiency, and information sharing web technology created a synergism of sorts, making public records checks virtually instant.
A public criminal record search has become increasingly easy during the past few years, especially easy since about 2008. Advances in computing power, database efficiency, and information sharing web technology created a synergism of sorts, making public records checks virtually instant. The number of websites offering these services is staggering, and the information those websites allow access to includes numbers in excess of 300 million criminal records alone. Further, this number can only be expected to grow between the hard times upon us, and America’s ever increasing appetite for feeling secure.
Just to put this in perspective, allow me to share a little personal history in regard to the growth of the public record search industry. During the period leading up to and for a couple years after the events of 9-11, I worked with a series of contractors doing airport maintenance projects in both the public and military sectors. Prior to 2001, we as contractors and employees who were to have access to secure areas submitted a stack of paper and references for our criminal and background information checks. Quite honestly, I recall that though it was all taken very seriously, the tasks of research and verification were handed off to a row of office workers with access to what must have been some of the largest phone bills of that time. In short, what information that was available on-line was expensive and full of holes, and seemed borderline primitive compared to what was to come in the next few years.
By 2003 and 2004, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and America’s and much of the World’s policy and resource were thrown at the now top-of-mind desire to know who was the person next to you, and what background did they have. By the Summer of 2004, the stack of paper and references had shrunk, as had the size of the office staff to process background checks. What once took two to three weeks when checking a background, could be accomplished for a fee with a few keystrokes, and to a degree of accuracy that found many an applicant in the follow-up stack, with a personal interview and explanation of something as simple as a one month discrepancy in address history two or three years prior. Fast forward to 2008-2009, and we have access in minutes to a nationwide criminal background check on virtually anyone, from anywhere, about nearly anything that they have done that could be considered Public Record.
For example, just one supplier of these searches boasts they have handled criminal records searches for over 500,000 customers in the last two years searching a database of over 300 million records. All that is needed are a Paypal or charge card, and a first and last name to begin the search. The more information that can be provided, the tighter the search results, but it all happens in seconds and minutes now. And just as a side note, that 500,000 customers doesn’t count the 20 or so other search categories they offer not related to criminal records.
So who are all these customers doing the searches? Almost anyone with a security interest of any kind could be included. Security for one’s family or finances when hiring domestic help or contractors use these services. Even the dating world has caught on to check out that new flame, or as part of the marriage screening process. Employers who must be bonded or need bond-able employees, commercial drivers, people who handle hazmat under license, teachers, landlords, all of these groups and more are discovering just how easy it is to limit risk and exposure that can come with a criminal background.
The concept and process of a public criminal record search has come a long way in a few short years, and appears to be here to stay. With an Internet connection, a few dollars, and some basic information, a public criminal record search is easy.
Criminal records checks, background checks, public records checks, and reverse directories are available to the public, with over 300 million criminal records, and one billion public records to be searched. Find out more at Criminal Records Background Checks.
Submitted By ArticleUnited.com