Thread: Teachers, bus drivers being fingerprinted for background check?

I think that any teacher worth his or her salt isn't worried about having their fingerprint taken. I had my fingerprint taken in elementary school (I think for missing children purposes or something awful like that) and I have never once thought that my identity would be stolen or that I was losing a part of my bodily integrity for having done that. I've never committed a crime and if asked to provide a fingerprint now for a background check at my current job I would be 100% okay with that.

Originally Posted by Potter75

I guess I don't understand how you think that someone could not gain access to someone's past employment or residential history and remember it and present it along with a fake ID card (easy to make, I had one in college, who didn't?)......but could somehow access and replicate their fingerprint, or else have YOU'R fingerprint planted as theirs in "the system"?

One seems plausible to me (the former). One seems paranoid to me (the latter). Yet you are worried about the latter.

No. That is not at all what I am worried about. Personally I am not worried at all and would have no problem getting this done. I dont think someone could 'replicate my fingerprint' or have my fingerprint planted as theirs. The only problem I see with having to be fingerprinted for a job, is in the case of identity theft. I think the easiest way to describe what I am thinking is with an example.

My identity is stolen by Sally. Sally applies for a job, using my identity and is hired. She needs to have a criminal records check done and her fingerprints are entered into the system as mine. Because fingerprinting is not common (at least here), this could go undiscovered for years. Not only would this cause me problems if I apply for a job needing fingerprinting when my fingerprints dont match the ones in the system, but when Sally commits a crime 5 - 10 years down the line, I would be the one who would come up in the system.

I dont see this as a big conspiracy theory, as you seem to be implying, I just dont see fingerprints as being a lot more secure than any other ID, unless we were to fingerprint everyone and have a central database, which is not how things work now.

Until you are convicted of a crime, your fingerprints aren't much of a deterrent. The gym coach could take pics until getting caught.

However, if the applicant lies on an application saying they've never been convicted of a felony, the fingerprint check will catch the lie.

[QUOTE=ftmom;9040193]

Originally Posted by Potter75

Are you kidding? All they asked for was a drivers licence to take your prints. How is that different then asking for a drivers license to confirm identity for a background check? How is it good enough in one instance, but no another?

Whenever i've had a background check done for a job they also took a copy of my social security card too.

Originally Posted by ftmom

No. That is not at all what I am worried about. Personally I am not worried at all and would have no problem getting this done. I dont think someone could 'replicate my fingerprint' or have my fingerprint planted as theirs. The only problem I see with having to be fingerprinted for a job, is in the case of identity theft. I think the easiest way to describe what I am thinking is with an example.

My identity is stolen by Sally. Sally applies for a job, using my identity and is hired. She needs to have a criminal records check done and her fingerprints are entered into the system as mine. Because fingerprinting is not common (at least here), this could go undiscovered for years. Not only would this cause me problems if I apply for a job needing fingerprinting when my fingerprints dont match the ones in the system, but when Sally commits a crime 5 - 10 years down the line, I would be the one who would come up in the system.

I dont see this as a big conspiracy theory, as you seem to be implying, I just dont see fingerprints as being a lot more secure than any other ID, unless we were to fingerprint everyone and have a central database, which is not how things work now.

I see. Thats easy, then. You just say ~ WOAH, thats not me! Thats sally! I'm Kyla! I never lived in Utah! I live in Kansas, I never diddled kids, here is my SS#, here is my job history, and here is my finger, with my fingerprint attached ~ that does NOT match the other print of the person (in jail, with THEIR finger attached and their different fingerprint) who is pretending to be sally.

You know?

It proves that there are two people. And you are not the person who diddled the kids, because that person is in jail. If they are not in jail/already got out they have their photographs from booking, which presumably do not look like you.

I just don't think that many people steal identities and assume them, like, permanently.

People steal identities to steal your money, yes. People steal "clean" ID's to hide their criminal past, yes.

People don't generally steal an identity to actually BECOME someone else BEFORE committing a crime. Have you ever heard of that? I haven't.

Like, have the wherewithal to think......hmmmmm, I think that I am going to diddle kids and get caught, so I had better assume a fake identity, so that when I am caught and convicted I can serve time under that name, then shed that identity post conviction and assume my real identity etc etc etc. Most pervs don't even think that they are pervs, let alone plan their perversions enough to live another persons identity in the assumption that they will get caught (I'd say that that goes for most criminals, period).

Tonight as I was leaving my sons bball practice I had to laugh I saw signs for a free "kids fingerprinting" program one day later this month at our gym. We are going to participate, thought it was funny given the debate

Kyla - well it is true that they do not regularly do fingerprints here when you have a criminal record check and vulnerable record check (specifically for offenses against children) IF your name comes up similar to someone else's with a record you have to go and have your fingerprints taken and run. I have to have CRCs done for being a Brownie leader every 5 years. When I got my security clearance when working for the feds I only had to show my drivers license and SIN card, granted I have the lowest security clearance they have but I did not need much and addresses I think went back 5 years.

OK, you convinced me I honestly dont really have a problem with this personally, just hate the 'if you dont like it go into another line of work argument'.

Few comments though:
1. Wasnt assuming someone would assume your identity to commit a crime, but I am under them impression that identities are assumed quite often so that the person can get a job (ie. illegal immigrant), especially if they can get the SSN of a child, they will use it for years as the child is not using it. I was thinking of the crime being subsequent to that, and not necessarily when the identity is being used.
2. Missing children databases are separate databases. They are not checked in a criminal investigation.

Originally Posted by ftmom

No. That is not at all what I am worried about. Personally I am not worried at all and would have no problem getting this done. I dont think someone could 'replicate my fingerprint' or have my fingerprint planted as theirs. The only problem I see with having to be fingerprinted for a job, is in the case of identity theft. I think the easiest way to describe what I am thinking is with an example.

My identity is stolen by Sally. Sally applies for a job, using my identity and is hired. She needs to have a criminal records check done and her fingerprints are entered into the system as mine. Because fingerprinting is not common (at least here), this could go undiscovered for years. Not only would this cause me problems if I apply for a job needing fingerprinting when my fingerprints dont match the ones in the system, but when Sally commits a crime 5 - 10 years down the line, I would be the one who would come up in the system.

I dont see this as a big conspiracy theory, as you seem to be implying, I just dont see fingerprints as being a lot more secure than any other ID, unless we were to fingerprint everyone and have a central database, which is not how things work now.

Here, I believe it is quite common. I had to have mine done to work in a day care. DH has had his done each job that he has had as an adult.