Request A Callback From An Investigator

Will A Misdemeanor Affect a Background Check?

An influx in the use of private investigator background checks by employers and people in other areas has made the likely targets of such checks a little worried. This isn't unexpected. Many people have never asked a private investigator to carry out a background check on someone or something else. As a result, many of them have no idea what a private detective might uncover if they were to look into their past.

The term 'background check' is the often used expression by private investigators. However, it actually covers a wide range of checks performed by detectives.

Some individuals may be interested in a great number of these checks, but others will only want the private investigator to perform one or two. Therefore, it's important to understand what kind of check is being carried out by a private investigator and what the check is interested in.


What Information Will A Private Detective Uncover During A Background Check?

The information that shows up on a private investigator background check depends on a number of factors.

Two of the most important factors, according to professional investigators, when conducting background checks are:

  • For whom the private investigator is performing the background check
  • The decisions are to be made based on the information uncovered by the investigator's background check

For example, if the investigator is carrying out the background check for a landlord, the check should be restricted to information that determines if you're able to pay the rent and utility bills, whether you pose a danger to the property or others and other things that determine whether you're a good tenant. A private detective is unlikely to go through your medical records when determining your suitability as a tenant. On the other hand, different employers will have different interests as far as private detective background checks are concerned.

Although some will only need a private investigator to check if you have the skills needed for the job, others will need to check if you pose a danger to others or if you have the physical requirements to handle the job. Therefore, the information uncovered by private investigators will vary depending on each case.


Will A Criminal Record Show Up On A Professional Investigator Background Check?

In many cases, the criminal records that will show up will depend on the level of disclosure required and whether or not it is relevant to the job. There are three different levels of disclosure. Private investigators can get very different results depending on the level of disclosure that is required.

In a basic disclosure, only unspent criminal convictions will show up but this isn't what professional investigators typically request. Private detectives can also view spent criminal convictions, cautions and even arrests in more detailed reports such as standard and enhanced disclosures.

It's important to note that despite what the detective finds, many employers will still review the information uncovered by a private investigator on a case by case basis. Just because the investigator uncovers an arrest record doesn't mean the client will consider it.


Do Arrests Show Up On Private Detective Background Checks?

Although many people are only concerned with convictions as far as private detective background checks are concerned, there is a lot of other information that can be revealed to a private investigator through these checks. Although this information will not show up in a basic disclosure, it's an entirely different issue when it comes to standard and enhanced DBS checks.

Apart from spent and unspent convictions, standard checks can provide private investigators with information on:

  • Cautions
  • Final warnings
  • Reprimands

In addition to all this, if a professional detective is required to carry out an enhanced criminal background check, other information they can uncover include:

  • Findings of innocence
  • Acquittals
  • Whether you've been investigated following an arrest etc.

Therefore, in some cases, arrests can show up on a private investigator background check.



Related Articles