|
Rover -> RE: References (12/18/2006 2:53:49 PM)
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: aSlavesLife
quote:
ORIGINAL: Lordandmaster
That has nothing to do with the DMV. That's the Texas Department of Public Safety. And so what? Like it was news that criminal records are public? Film at 11!
quote:
ORIGINAL: aSlavesLife
I used to do criminal background checks at a previous job, but called a highway patrol friend of mine on this one just now. He says that each state has different procedures, but that it is possible to be obtained in any state. The one for Texas is https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/APP_SUPPORT/index.aspx?PageIndex=CreditInfo
DMV and DPS are in the same buildings here. But didn't someone else here accuse me of making up the fact that criminal records were avaliable to the public? I was just trying to show that there was a much more reliable method of obtaining personal information than by relying on references. Oh, and by the way, the last link I dropped works perfectly. Anyone who wishes to verify that only need to go to the site and check for themselves. But hey, if you aren't really concerned with helping people stay safe, why bother, right?
The last few posts I've been teasing you because of my perception of your attitude. But I don't want my sarcasm to overshadow some good information.
1. You're absolutely correct that background checks can be a valuable source of information, though it is limited to those things that have risen to the level of involving the authorities and there is much to know about a person that does not involve an arrest or conviction. As a result, while background checks are a valuable piece of the information puzzle, it is not the entire picture by far.
2. It's my understanding that what constitutes "public access" differs from state to state, and background checks may be more or less complete depending upon where you live.
3. References can fill the gap on information that has not resulted in an arrest or conviction. There is much to know about a person that does not involve illegalities.
4. The more information available to us, the more informed (and presumably "better") decisions we are able to make.
I have used background checks on occasion, and even hired a private investigator a time or two, to confirm what someone (without references) had told me about themselves. I've never found anything in a background check that gave me reason for concern, but on the several occasions I used a private investigator I learned plenty. Of course, in retrospect there were red flags that prompted me to utilize the services of an investigator.
Bottom line is that there is a substantial difference between what we are "told" by an individual, and what we "know" about them. Any source of information, whether it be references (friends, family, lifestyle, etc.), background checks, private investigators or any other means helps bridge the gap between what we are "told" and what we "know", and that's a good thing.
John
|
|
|
|
