This page explains the terms commonly used by DFPS when conducting background check. There are the preferred terms, but each explanation includes a list of "also known as" (AKA) terms that you may hear depending on what sort of background check you need or which DFPS program is helping you.
- click the term to read the definition -
Definition
A name-based criminal history check using the subject's identifiers (including name, gender and date of birth) that is requested through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) database of crimes committed in Texas. Results consist of Texas-based arrests and dispositions, including convictions and cases with unknown dispositions, and may contain juvenile criminal history.
A fingerprint-based search of the DPS database is performed in circumstances where an FBI check is required. DPS processes the fingerprints for the FBI and conducts a search of Texas fingerprint records at the same time.
Process
DPS performs a criminal history search and returns the results to DFPS in the form of a:
- Notice of the subject's clearance (or "no hit"), indicating there is no criminal record, or a
- "Rap sheet" containing the subject's Record of Arrest and Prosecution (also referred to as a "hit" or "match")
Also Known As (AKA)
- Criminal Background Check (CBC)
- Criminal History Check
- Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)
- Criminal Records Check
- DPS Check
- DPS Criminal Background Check
- DPS Criminal History Check
- DPS Direct Checks
- DPS Records Check
- Name-based Background Check
- Records Check
- State Criminal Records Check
Definition
Updates to the Texas criminal history information of subjects for whom DFPS obtained fingerprint-based check results from the DPS database. If a subject has a fingerprint-based check for DFPS purposes or policy, DPS automatically notifies DFPS every time there is a subsequent arrest of the subject in the state of Texas.
Process
Referred to as "rap back", if DFPS previously submitted a subject's fingerprints to DPS for a background check and the subject has a new arrest in Texas, DPS:
- Updates the "rap" (Record of Arrest and Prosecution) sheet with the subject's recent criminal activity, and
- Sends the updated results "back" to DFPS.
Also Known As (AKA)
- Rap Back
- Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)
Definition
A fingerprint-based search of both the DPS database of crimes committed in Texas and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) database of crimes committed within the United States. Results consist of U.S.-based arrests and dispositions obtained from fingerprint submissions, disposition reports, and other information submitted by agencies having criminal justice responsibilities.
Process
A subject's fingerprint submission may result in rejection. If so, the process outlined below provides instructions and timeframes to complete each step:
- If the first set of fingerprints results in rejection, the subject must submit a second set of fingerprints within one year of the date first fingerprinted.
- If the second set of fingerprints results in rejection, an FBI Name Check (see details below) must be submitted within 90 days of the last rejection date.
Also Known As (AKA)
- FBI Fingerprint-based Check
- FBI Check
- Fingerprint-based Criminal History Check
- Fingerprint Check
- Fingerprint-based Background Check
- FBI Records Check
- FBI Criminal History Check
- Criminal Background Check (CBC) from FBI
- Out-of-State Criminal History Check
- FBI Findings
- Adam Walsh Check
- National Criminal Records Check
- Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)
Definition
A name-based search of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) database of crimes committed within the United States. Results consist of U.S.-based arrests and dispositions obtained from fingerprint submissions, disposition reports, and other information submitted by agencies having criminal justice responsibilities.
* Note: This type of check is only available after the subject's fingerprint submissions have resulted in rejection twice. The FBI Name Check request must be submitted within 90 days of the last rejection date.
Also Known As (AKA)
- CJIS Name Search
- FBI Name-based Search
- Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)
Definition
A name-based search of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) database of crimes committed within the United States. Results consist of U.S.-based arrests and dispositions obtained from fingerprint submissions, disposition reports, and other information submitted by agencies having criminal justice responsibilities.
*Note: These checks are only performed for CPS staff to facilitate an emergency Parental Child Safety Placement if the subject is known to have resided outside of Texas in the past 3 years or is currently residing in another state, and if the subject is an adult or emancipated minor. (See CPS Handbook Section 3212.2 Completing Background Checks for details.) The subject is required to follow-up with an FBI Fingerprint Check within a short timeframe.
Also Known As (AKA)
- Expedited FBI Check
- Expedited National Criminal History Check
- Exigent Check
- FBI Exigent Background Check
- Purpose Code X Check
- Emergency Background Check
- Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)
Definition
A name-based search in IMPACT (Information Management Protecting Adults and Children in Texas) of the DFPS Central Registry of reported child abuse and neglect investigation records in Texas. As required by the Texas Family Code 261.002, DFPS maintains a Central Registry of reported cases of child abuse and neglect. The Central Registry consists only of information gathered during Child Protective Services, Child Care Licensing, and Adult Protective Services facility investigations of child abuse and neglect in cases which were given a disposition of "reason to believe", and the person had a role of designated perpetrator or sustained perpetrator. (While APS facility cases involving child victims are included in the Central Registry, APS facility cases involving adult victims are not included in the Central Registry).
Process
A function in IMPACT processes a Central Registry Check and provides a report that contains the results. The report identifies one of the following outcomes with respect to the subject of the check, indicating the person:
- Is not listed in the Central Registry (or is cleared).
- Is listed as an alleged perpetrator in an open child abuse or neglect investigation being conducted by DFPS. The results include the name of the program conducting the investigation and the case ID.
- Is listed as a designated perpetrator of child abuse or neglect in a case. The results include the name of the program conducting the investigation and the case ID.
Is listed as a sustained perpetrator of child abuse or neglect in a case. The results include the name of the program conducting the investigation and the case ID.
Also Known As (AKA)
- DFPS Central Registry Check
- Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry Check
- Central Registry History Check
- DFPS Abuse or Neglect Registry
- Central Registry of Abuse and Neglect Check
- Texas Central Registry Check
- Central Registry Findings
- Child Protective Services (CPS) History Check
Definition
A name-based search in IMPACT (Information Management Protecting Adults and Children in Texas) of internal DFPS records of reported child and adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation investigations in Texas. The search identifies all Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, and Child Care Licensing cases that reference the background check subject, as a principal or collateral, regardless of the subject’s role or relationship in the case.
Process
A DFPS History Check is different from a review of a person's case history. A DFPS History Check is performed through a function in IMPACT by:
- A manual Person Search using the subject's name, or
- A batch report that searches for multiple subjects by name
IMPACT processes the DFPS History Check and provides a report that contains any investigation in which the subject is on the Person List and includes the case ID; case name; program; type of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; the subject's role; and whether the subject is a "Principal" or "Collateral".
Also Known As (AKA)
- FPS History Check
- IMPACT Check
- DFPS History of Abuse/Neglect/Exploitation
- IMPACT History
- Abuse and Neglect Background Check
- DFPS Records Check
- DFPS Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation History
- DFPS IMPACT History
- Abuse and Neglect Records Check
Definition
A name-based search of another state’s records of reported child abuse and neglect cases that identifies whether a background check subject has been found to have abused or neglected a child. The parameters of the search and the investigation standards of each state may vary, along with the terminology used.
Also Known As (AKA)
- Out-of State Central Registry Check
- State Abuse and Neglect Registries