What Is California Live Scan?
Ink and paper fingerprints are a thing of the past in California. Since the 1990s, the state has worked to standardize Live Scan fingerprinting for identification. California's Live Scan system takes digital images of fingerprints and allows for the Department of Justice to maintain a centralized criminal record database that can be searched almost instantaneously. Many jobs in California require a Live Scan background check.
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Function
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California Live Scan is used throughout the state to maintain an electronic database for identification and criminal records. Live Scan is used to produce criminal record checks for applicants within days. Live Scan background checks are required for all school teachers, elder care givers, nurses or home daycare providers. Foster parents, notaries and all vehicle salespeople must submit to Live Scan checks, as well. Live Scan background checks are also used to qualify for visas and other immigration purposes.
History
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Implementation of the California Live Scan system began in 1991, when the California Department of Justice acquired computer systems that utilized Live Scan technology. In Live Scan technology spread throughout California during the 1990s and in 1997, the state legislature passed a bill to make Live Scan the state's standard for fingerprinting. In 2000, the state required all fingerprints to be submitted via Live Scan. In 2003, Identix was awarded a government contract to provide Live Scan systems for California.
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Process
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The Live Scan system uses a computerized device to take images of fingerprints. The finger is moistened with water and rolled across a glass scanner as the computer takes the image. The computer then verifies the quality of the fingerprint and alerts the administrator if a retake is needed. Once the fingerprints are scanned, they are sent electronically to the California Department of Justice with the applicant's personal information. The Department of Justice then crosschecks the fingerprints against their electronic database for evidence of a criminal record.
Cost
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The fees for fingerprinting are determined by each individual Live Scan center. As of 2009, the fee for fingerprinting ranged between $5 and $45 per person. California law allows each Live Scan agency to charge a fee adequate enough to cover the agency's costs. The fee for the criminal record check from the Department of Justice was $32 as of 2009, payable directly to the Live Scan agency at the time of request.
Benefits
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Live Scan ensures that people who work with law enforcement, children or the elderly have been adequately screened for past criminal activity. Live Scan allows for a turnaround time of about three days for a criminal background check, whereas ink fingerprints could take weeks to produce a record check. Live Scan fingerprints are also less messy and more accurate than ink fingerprints. The system also verifies the quality of the fingerprint instantaneously.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Flickr.com
