How Multi-State Criminal History Data Can Help CRAs Provide More Relevant Insights to Their Clients

CRAs know that providing all data from an individual's past can be challenging due to the numerous locations people may live and travel over time. Since records aren't always found where people live, enhancing your public records with data covering a larger area can help your clients pinpoint where they may need to dig deeper. A Multi-State Criminal History Data source provides a more practical approach to uncovering more relevant data. This data source provides you with “tips and leads” that can help expand where your clients search for criminal records. If you are part of a consumer reporting agency or a screening company looking for more ways to give your customers a broader scope to look for relevant criminal history, this article is for you. 

What is Multi-State Criminal History Data?

Let’s start by clarifying what multi-state criminal history data is and is not. The data provided from this service includes “tips and leads” data from multiple states and jurisdictions. This is not a source for ALL data nationwide. However, data from this multi-state source can pinpoint where a CRA’s customer may want to look for public criminal records that may be outside of their typical jurisdiction parameters. 

Omni Data Retrieval’s data solutions can be thought of as a handy “toolkit” for background screening companies to enhance their product offering and help customers expand their scope for criminal background checks. The data behind these services often includes: 

• Data from county courts 
• Departments of Corrections (DOC) data 
• Administrative Offices of Courts (AOC) data 
• Law enforcement arrest data  

While having access to these resources can assist your clients by giving a clearer view of where to look next for public records, it is also important to emphasize the data set is very wide and diverse.  

Common Information Included in Multi-State Criminal History Data 

What level of data can you expect from this database? Ultimately, that’s up to you. Multi-State Criminal History Data can go beyond the typical scope of public records but Omni Data Retrieval’s highly customizable solution gives CRAs options to find the most relevant records. Data can include: 

• Arrest records 
• Confinement history 
• Arrest warrant information  
• Probation or parole indications 
• Sex offender registration 
• Criminal convictions 
• Minor infractions including traffic violations 

Data Use 

While Multi-State Criminal History data is extensive and can help Consumer Reporting Agencies provide more data quickly, CRAs should work with their legal counsel to determine the best use and reporting policies. As is the case with other CRA functions, understanding the relevant FCRA guidelines and local laws around data requires a cautious and well-planned approach. 

An Easier Way to Connect to More Data for Your Clients

When used responsibly, Multi-State Criminal History Data is a valuable tool to enhance a CRA’s background screening service offering and help you deliver the reports your clients need.  At Omni Data Retrieval, we focus on helping our clients enhance the diversity and timeliness of their information sources. Our goal is to equip CRAs with the right tools to help their clients make informed decisions by providing more relevant details on criminal history. By seamlessly integrating our data sources into your existing platform, we aim to enhance your data-sourcing process so you can focus on delivering more value and support to your clients. 

Interested in learning more? Contact us to schedule a personalized consultation and learn more about our data solutions.