Should Employers Rely on the National Criminal Database (Nat Crim) Alone?

What Is a National Criminal Database Search?

The Nat Crim search is one of the most widely offered services by background screening providers. It queries a proprietary database compiled from a broad range of state and county court records across the country. At first glance, it appears to be a powerful tool for uncovering past criminal activity.

And to be clear—it is useful. It casts a wide net and can uncover records that might otherwise be missed with a narrower search. But relying on it alone? That’s where the problem lies.

Why a Nat Crim Search Isn’t Enough

Despite its wide coverage, the Nat Crim Search is not comprehensive. Here’s why it shouldn’t be the sole basis of your criminal background check:

1. Incomplete Jurisdiction Coverage
The Nat Crim search includes data from many, but not all, state and county courts. In fact, coverage estimates typically range from 83% to 92%. That means up to 17% of jurisdictions could be missing—so if your candidate committed a crime in a county not feeding data into the database, it may go undetected.

2. Lack of Real-Time Updates
Proprietary databases often fail to reflect the most current status of criminal records. Things like dismissals, successful appeals, diversions, expungements, or sealed cases may not be updated regularly—or at all. Without confirmation at the original trial court level, employers risk making decisions based on outdated or inaccurate information.

3. No Federal Court Records
Nat Crim searches do not include federal court records. While federal crimes make up a smaller portion of the overall criminal system, they tend to be more severe—think fraud, embezzlement, drug trafficking, or weapons violations. Without a separate federal search, you’re potentially missing serious red flags.

This perspective was recently reinforced by Scott Paler, a well-respected attorney in the background screening industry, who emphasized that while the Nat Crim search has its place, it should never be the only search conducted. His insights helped inspire this blog, as many employers continue to misunderstand what this search can (and can't) deliver.

How VeriCorp Approaches This Differently

At VeriCorp, we’ve built our screening methodology around addressing these exact concerns. We understand that the Nat Crim search is not a complete solution on its own—which is why we combine it with another powerful tool to form what we call “The Pointer.”

What Is The Pointer?
The Pointer is our locator product. It blends the Nat Crim search with an SSN Scan, creating a strategic starting point that reduces the risk of missing critical information.

• Nat Crim (National Criminal Database)
  Acts as a case indicator search. This doesn’t return criminal history, but rather shows where potential records may exist so that further, more precise searches can be conducted.
• SSN Scan
  Uses the applicant’s Social Security Number to identify names and address history for the past seven years. This helps determine where to search for potential records at the county, state, or federal level.

When these two tools are used together, they guide our research. Instead of guessing or casting a narrow net, The Pointer helps us focus on the jurisdictions most relevant to the applicant—ensuring that we follow the trail wherever it leads. This layered approach dramatically decreases the likelihood of missing something significant.

So What Should Employers Do?

Instead of using the Nat Crim search as a standalone solution, smart employers take a layered approach to background screening—something VeriCorp helps clients implement every day:

• The Pointer (SSN Scan + Nat Crim)
  A powerful starting point that locates the jurisdictions and flags where potential records may exist.
• County-Level Searches
  Especially in areas where the candidate has lived, worked, or studied.
• Statewide Criminal Searches
  Adds depth in states where state repositories include additional information.
• Federal Criminal Searches
  Captures serious crimes that aren’t found in state or county databases.
• Sex Offender Registry Checks
  Critical for many industries and roles.

Final Thoughts

A Nat Crim search is a valuable component of a background check—but not a comprehensive one. At VeriCorp, we never rely on it alone. Our process starts with The Pointer, a smart combination of the Nat Crim and SSN Scan, and builds out from there to provide a layered, accurate, and legally compliant screening strategy.

Hiring decisions carry weight. VeriCorp is here to help you make them with confidence.