Investigative Method and Technique: Background Investigations
Charles P. Nemeth · 2019
This chapter focuses on background checks conducted by businesses, institutions, and governments. The role of background investigations in the world of private security and its investigative arm ranks in the higher echelon of duties and responsibilities. Background is a composite of the subject under review, the sum of his or her parts so to speak and a method to match the historical person with the present picture being presented by the person under review. The task of checking individual backgrounds and verifying identity, as in all facets of investigation, requires an orderly process. From the first day of application to the date of resignation, retirement, or termination, employment history manifests a great deal about the investigative subject. Employers who design their own application forms need to be conscious of issues that raise red flags—particularly legal ones. The use of court records to get an accurate portrayal of a subject is wise investigative strategy.