In today’s increasingly interconnected world, companies across South Africa and abroad are relying more heavily on criminal background checks as part of their hiring processes. The term “national” criminal search is often thrown around, but what does it mean?

The truth is, these searches can differ significantly depending on the country, jurisdiction, and the scope of the check.

Many employers and recruiters assume that a “national” criminal check covers the entire country’s criminal records in one simple search. While this might be true in some places, in most cases, it’s not so straightforward. The phrase can be misleading because different countries have different systems for recording and sharing criminal data, and what’s included in a search can vary widely from one jurisdiction to another.

The Different Types of Criminal Checks

Here’s a breakdown of the main types of criminal background checks used around the world and what they typically entail:

Local or Jurisdictional Checks

• These checks focus on criminal records within a specific city, district, or province.
• Common in countries where criminal data is decentralised.
• Suitable for roles that require local knowledge or work within a specific area.

Municipal or City Checks

• Cover crimes recorded within a specific municipality.
• Often used in urban areas with multiple jurisdictions, such as South Africa’smetropolitan cities.

State or Provincial Checks

• Cover a broader region, such as a state in the US or a province in Canada.
• Tend to be more comprehensive than local checks but are still limited to the specific region.

National Checks

• Attempt to compile criminal records from across an entire country.
• The scope of these can range from a single central database to aggregating data from multiple sources.
• In South Africa, the South African Police Service (SAPS) maintains a national criminal record database, and most background checks are based on this data.

International or Global Checks

• These are conducted when checking records across multiple countries.
• Often used by multinational corporations or in roles involving international travel or expatriate staff.
• The data sources can be inconsistent, and checks may require cooperation between different law enforcement agencies and private providers.

Even within these categories, the depth of a criminal check can vary:

• Convictions only: Some checks only reveal convictions, not arrests or charges that did not lead to convictions.
• Arrests and charges: Other checks include recent arrests or unresolved charges.
• Historical data: Some checks go back many years, while others focus only on recent records.
• Type of offences: Violent crimes, fraud, theft, drug-related charges, or even regulatory violations may or may not be included, depending on the jurisdiction.

Understanding the scope of a criminal check is essential for HR professionals. Relying solely on a “national” search without knowing what’s included might lead to oversight or misinterpretation.

For instance:

• A candidate with a minor conviction from a local jurisdiction might be cleared in one country but flagged in another.
• International checks may miss records due to differences in record-keeping or reporting standards.

When conducting international or national criminal checks, it’s crucial to:

• Clarify what type of check is being performed.
• Be aware of the limitations of the database or agency providing the data.
• Consider supplementary checks, such as credit history, employment verification, or international sanctions lists, as applicable to the role.

In summary, “national” criminal searches are not one-size-fits-all. They can vary considerably depending on the country, the data sources, and the specific details included in each search. As HR practitioners, understanding these differences ensures that you receive accurate and reliable information to make informed hiring decisions—and avoid surprises down the line.

At iFacts, we’re here to help you navigate the complexities of criminal background screening with confidence. Contact us today to learn more about customised checks tailored to your specific needs.