Fingerprint Records- One at a Time…

Names are changed, social security numbers are falsified, but fingerprints are forever. Law enforcement officials agree that matching fingerprints to the FBI database is the only absolute way to match records to the correct person. In 1998, Congress passed The Volunteers for Children Act. Now groups providing services to children, the elderly, or disabled can obtain FBI fingerprint checks of their volunteers. The problem? Each state must implement programs individually at the state level and most haven’t bothered. You can still obtain a record from the FBI but:

• § You must have the individual’s full cooperation and written permission.
• § The person must go to the police department or other agency to have fingerprints taken-something most people remain highly resistant to, no matter how sterling their record.
• § You must use official fingerprint form, FD-258 FBI Fingerprint Card and this cannot be a download or photo copy. Fingerprinting fees are extra.
• § You must send a certified check or money order for $18 made payable to the Treasury of the United States.
• § The results will be sent only to the individual and he then chooses to show the records to you if he wishes.
• § When you finally see the record, it will likely be covered in undecipherable law enforcement gibberish.

Despite the drawbacks, in states with restrictive criminal record laws, this could provide a way to check your volunteers and staff. Jody Gorran, founder of the National Foundation to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse, works to promote the widespread use of fingerprints to check criminal records. For more information, visit his website at:

http://www.fbifingerprintchecks.com/caregivers.html

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