HOW DOJ CONDUCTS BACKGROUND CHECKS USING LIVE SCAN
The days of rolling fingers across an ink pad, then struggling
to get a good, readable fingerprint on a card are over thanks to Live Scan
Technology. Live scan technology allows fingerprints and palm prints to be
photographed digitally and instantly submitted along with the applicant’s
demographic data, to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) or FBI,
electronically for processing. Fingers and palms are simply placed over a
prism-shaped device called a "platen" and the print is photographed
and can be seen instantly on a monitor.
In addition, the live scan system verifies the print quality of
each finger and thumb and notifies the operator (person obtaining the prints) if
it is a readable print or not. When fingerprint cards were used, if a print was
unreadable, the card would be returned by the Department of Justice or FBI and
the prints would have to be re-inked and resubmitted. That’s good news for law
enforcement and persons who need to be fingerprinted during the employment
application process for a new job. Applicants for jobs such as school employees,
child care workers, city workers and notary publics are required to have their
criminal histories checked prior to employment or before an occupational license
to is issued
Another improvement of the new Live Scan system is the quick
turnaround of those background checks. Fingerprint ink cards required a minimum
of four to six weeks to be processed. Live scan enables employers and agencies
to receive an applicant’s criminal history electronically usually within 72
hours (unless the employer/agency requires additional checks). Receiving
criminal history information electronically (arrest and convictions, including
misdemeanors and felonies) expedites the employment process for both
employers/agencies and job applicants. In cases where an existing employee is
subsequently arrested or convicted of a crime, Live scan will electronically
notify the employer, expediting the employee’s reassignment to another
position or termination if required by California law.
It is important to note that Live Scan technology has been used
in the booking areas at jails and detention centers throughout California for
years and recently made available for public fingerprinting.
Date last updated: February 24, 2004
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