Employers use background checks to help confirm a candidate’s identity and review the result of a criminal record search before making hiring decisions. The process should be clear, limited to the check requested, and handled with the candidate’s knowledge and consent. With FastKey, biometric identity verification helps confirm that the person completing the check is the individual.
After identity verification, the criminal record check returns one of three standard results: Negative, Confirmation of a Criminal Record, or Incomplete. Each result has a specific meaning. Employers should read the result carefully and avoid making assumptions beyond what the check actually confirms.
Quick Answer: Employers can use FastKey to complete biometric ID verification and a criminal record check. The criminal record check provides one of three results only: Negative, Confirmation of a Criminal Record, or Incomplete.
How Do Employers Do Background Checks?
An employer may request a background check as part of its hiring or screening process.
With FastKey, the process can include two important parts:
Biometric ID verification
A criminal record check that returns one of three standard results
Employers can learn more about available screening services on FastKey or review criminal record checks for businesses.
The goal is to confirm identity and provide a clear result from the criminal record check without turning the report into a broad profile of the applicant.
What Is Biometric ID Verification?
Biometric ID verification helps confirm that the person completing the background check is the person they claim to be.
This identity step is separate from the criminal record result.
FastKey's identity verification service can support the verification process before or alongside the criminal record check.
For employers, this provides an important first step. It helps connect the background check process to the correct individual.
What Results Does an Employer Receive?
The criminal record check provides one of three standard results.
1. Negative
A Negative result means no criminal convictions were disclosed or found through the check.
This is one of the three standard outcomes an employer may receive.
The result should be read as written. It does not need extra assumptions or interpretation beyond what the check states.
2. Confirmation of a Criminal Record
A Confirmation of a Criminal Record means disclosed conviction information was confirmed by the check.
The important point is that conviction information was disclosed and the check confirmed that information.
This is different from an Incomplete result.
3. Incomplete
An Incomplete result means the name-and-date-of-birth search could not be completed conclusively or the disclosure and search results did not match.
Fingerprinting may be recommended.
Most importantly, an Incomplete result is not, by itself, proof that the person has a criminal record.
Employers should not treat Incomplete as if it means Confirmation of a Criminal Record.
Example of a Confirmation of a Criminal Record Report
This sample shows the actual Fastkey Standard Criminal Record Check layout and Confirmation of a Criminal Record wording. Applicant and report details are fictional. The Stellarton Police logo is shown to illustrate the report layout; this sample was not issued by the police and is not a valid background check.
What Does FastKey Give the Employer?
For this type of screening, the FastKey process is easy to understand.
The employer can receive:
Biometric ID verification
One of the three criminal record check results
The criminal record result will be:
Negative
Confirmation of a Criminal Record
Incomplete
It does not create a fourth criminal record result.
Keeping the results clear helps both employers and applicants understand what the screening process actually found.
Businesses that regularly screen candidates can also visit FastKey's business background check solutions to learn about available options.
What Should Employers Do With an Incomplete Result?
An Incomplete result should be handled carefully.
It means the name-and-date-of-birth search could not be completed conclusively or that the disclosure and search results did not match.
It does not automatically mean the person has a criminal record.
Fingerprinting may be recommended as the next step to help complete the process.
This is why employers should pay attention to the exact result instead of trying to guess what an Incomplete status means.
Why Does Identity Verification Matter?
Background screening depends on checking the correct person.
Biometric ID verification helps confirm the applicant's identity before the result is connected to that individual.
It also helps separate two parts of the process:
Identity verification answers: Is this the correct person?
The criminal record check answers with one of three results: Negative, Confirmation of a Criminal Record, or Incomplete.
Keeping these steps separate makes the screening process easier to understand.
What Is the Main Purpose of an Employer Background Check?
For the FastKey criminal record check process, the purpose is straightforward: verify the person's identity and provide a clear criminal record check result.
Employers should work with the result they actually receive rather than assuming the check provides information outside its scope.
Final Takeaway
When employers use FastKey for a criminal background check, the process can include biometric ID verification plus one of three standard criminal record results.
Those results are Negative, Confirmation of a Criminal Record, or Incomplete.
A Negative result means no criminal convictions were disclosed or found. Confirmation of a Criminal Record means disclosed conviction information was confirmed. An Incomplete result means the search could not be completed conclusively or the information did not match. It is not, by itself, proof of a criminal record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What background check result can an employer receive?
The employer receives one of three criminal record check results: Negative, Confirmation of a Criminal Record, or Incomplete.
Does FastKey also verify identity?
Yes. Biometric ID verification can be part of the process to help confirm that the person completing the check is the correct individual.
Does an Incomplete result mean the candidate has a criminal record?
No. An Incomplete result is not, by itself, proof that a person has a criminal record.
What does a Negative result mean?
It means no criminal convictions were disclosed or found through the check.
What does Confirmation of a Criminal Record mean?
It means disclosed conviction information was confirmed by the check.