Frequently Asked Questions
Name Checks Vs. Fingerprint Checks
Name checks are non-fingerprint inquiries submitted to the Bureau of
Identification for processing based on the personal identifiers pertaining
to a subject. Those identifiers consist of the name, sex, race, date of
birth and social security number of the subject, if provided. Responses to
name checks are not based on positive identification. Consequently, such
responses do not preclude the existence of a record under other personal
identifiers. To reduce the potential for error, name inquiry submissions
must be completed as accurately as possible. However, common names can
result in multiple hits responses being produced. Data submitted as a name
inquiry must comply with the standard National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
code values for sex and race. If a name inquiry is submitted containing
invalid code values, the search results can be adversely affected.
Fingerprint inquiries are processed utilizing an Automated Fingerprint
Identification System (AFIS). The search is based on the fingerprint minutia
data contained on the submission. Responses to fingerprint inquiries are
based on positive identification. The personal identifiers contained on a
fingerprint card are not used as the primary means of conducting the search.
The accuracy of the personal identifiers used in a fingerprint search will
not affect the accuracy of the search. While individuals can utilize
multiple
names and other personal identifiers, no two individuals have the same
identical fingerprints. To ensure that the information furnished by the
Bureau of Identification positively pertains to the subject in question, a
fingerprint inquiry should be submitted rather than a name inquiry.
Arrest Vs. Conviction Records
Most non-criminal justice agencies that submit criminal history record
information inquiries to Bureau of Identification are authorized to receive
conviction information only pursuant to state law. Conviction information
typically includes arrests, states attorney disposition, court disposition
and any custodial information pertaining to the applicant, provided the
subject was remanded to a custodial institution. Arrests transactions which
result in a court finding of not guilty or an acquittal can not be
disseminated to non-criminal justice agencies. If the BOI is unable to
obtain a court disposition for an arrest transaction, that arrest is also
not disseminated to non-criminal justice agencies.
Criminal justice agencies are authorized to receive conviction as well as
non-conviction criminal history record information. There are no
restrictions on the CHRI data that can
be disseminated to law enforcement agencies for applicant purposes, provided
the applicant will be employed by the law enforcement agency. With the
exception of public
housing authorities, law enforcement agencies are prohibited from conducting
Law Enforcement Agency Data System (LEADS) inquiries on behalf of
non-criminal justice
agencies.
How the Name Search Routine Works
The Bureau of Identification uses a soundex routine when processing name
inquiries on the Illinois Computerized Criminal History database. This
routine does not require an exact match on the name to produce a hit
response. Soundex assigns numerical values to vowels and consonants
comprising the subject’s name and assigns additional values
based on a match of the subject’s sex, race, and date of birth. If the sum
total of those
values reaches a certain threshold, a hit response is produced. Again, an
exact match
on all identifiers is not required in order to produce a hit response. Social security
numbers are not used in the search routine due to the number of false hits
produced. If false or inaccurate identifiers are submitted to the Illinois State
Police on a name
inquiry, an exact name search routine would miss any existing record. The soundex
routine is designed to minimize these occurrences while limiting the
potential of multiple
false hit responses. However, in order to eliminate the potential of false
name hits or
misses, the Illinois State Police recommends fingerprint inquiries are
submitted rather
than name inquiries. Fingerprints are the only means of positive
identification. The name, sex, race, and date of birth are not taken into consideration when
the BOI
processes a fingerprint inquiry.
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