Fingerprinting services are the process of capturing the unique ridges, whorls, and valleys of an individual’s fingerprint. This image generates a fingerprint card, which is then used as the basis for a national criminal history check. The FBI has been fingerprinting individuals since 1924, and the technology has come a long way since then! On this resource page, we will provide you with all the information you need to know about fingerprinting services and how they can be used for national background checks.
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The History of Fingerprinting Services
Did you know that there’s a one-in-64-billion chance of your fingerprint matching exactly with someone else’s? That’s why fingerprinting is such a reliable method of identification! Even identical twins don’t have identical fingerprints – though they share 100% of their DNA!
Fingerprinting has been used for millennia as a way to identify individuals. Around 2300 B.C., the ancient Babylonians pressed the tips of their fingertips into clay to record business transactions, and the Chinese used ink-on-paper finger impressions for business and family identification.
It wasn’t until the late 19th century, however, that fingerprinting began to be used for law enforcement purposes. In 1858, Henry Faulds, a Scottish doctor working in Japan, published a paper detailing his use of fingerprinting to identify one of his patients. Faulds’ fingerprinting method was later refined by Sir Edward Richard Henry, the Commissioner of Scotland Yard, who is considered the father of modern fingerprinting. In 1901, the New York Civil Service Commission became the first U.S. government agency to use fingerprinting for employment screening purposes.
Why Do We Use Fingerprinting Services Today?
Fingerprinting is still used today because it is an accurate and reliable method of identification. The fingerprint cards that are generated from the fingerprinting process can be used to conduct national criminal background checks. These background checks are required for certain types of employment.
What Types of Jobs Require Fingerprinting?
If you are applying for a job that involves working with children, the elderly, or other vulnerable populations, you may be required to undergo a fingerprint-based national criminal background check. This type of background check is required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for all employees who have direct patient access under the National Background Check Program (NBCP).
How Do I Get Fingerprinted?
If you are required to get fingerprinted for a national criminal background check, you will need to go to an approved fingerprinting vendor. A list of approved fingerprinting vendors can be found on the CMS website. After you have been fingerprinted, the fingerprint card will be sent to the FBI for processing. The FBI will then conduct a national criminal background check and provide the results to CMS.
The FBI uses your fingerprints to search their database of fingerprint records. If there is a match, the FBI will send a report to the employer that requested the background check. This report will include information on any arrests or convictions that are associated with your fingerprint match.
Importance of Having Your Fingerprinted
There are many reasons why fingerprints have become the most important form of identification in recent years. For one, they can be used to verify a person’s identity and track their criminal history in the absence of DNA evidence. Additionally, fingerprints can also reveal a person’s tendencies and known associates, which can be useful information for law enforcement officials.
On top of being an important form of identification for police work, getting fingerprinted can also be required for certain jobs or activities. For example, many employers now require their employees to get fingerprinted as part of the background check process. Similarly, some states require people to get fingerprinted when they apply for a professional license, such as a teaching license.
Although getting fingerprinted may seem like a hassle, it is generally a quick and easy process. And, in most cases, the benefits of having your fingerprints on file far outweigh any potential drawbacks.
Fingerprinting Services at Mail Boxes Times
At Mail Boxes Times in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, we offer fingerprinting services for national criminal background checks. Contact us today to set up your appointment.