This unit’s work provides essential information to law enforcement and makes background checks possible. Team members ensure every important step of criminal cases — from arrest through outcome, or disposition — is accurately documented in the Ohio Computerized Criminal History.
The Criminal Unit processes criminal-case transactions, corrects submitted records, logs juvenile arrest submissions and updates scores of records in the criminal repository.
The unit also assists when people believe their Social Security number has been misused. (Directions for how to report such misuse: in Ohio and outside Ohio.)
Each year, this unit processes more than a million fingerprint background check requests, including FBI background checks. For each one, the unit compares fingerprints (submitted electronically via WebCheck or from a mailed fingerprint card) against a database of criminal fingerprints. Unit personnel create a report with the results, including any criminal history records, and share it with the relevant party, such as a prospective employer.
Information on submitting fingerprints and a background check request:
- An overview of the process and relevant links can be found on this webpage.
- To find WebCheck locations in your area, where you can have your fingerprints taken, visit this webpage.
- Individuals who are located outside of Ohio can print a copy of the BCI fingerprint card or FBI fingerprint card and mail the completed card(s) to the BCI Civilian Unit, PO Box 365, London, Ohio 43140.
- More information on how to fill out the fingerprint cards can be found here.
The Clerical Unit handles multiple duties that keep BCI’s London headquarters running like a well-oiled machine, including:
- Front desk processing for incoming clients, visitors for BCI personnel and anyone entering the building for background checks, polygraph tests and evidence receiving.
- Mailroom processing of all incoming and outgoing mail for the bureau.
- Pulling all the files needed for Identification Division work executed by fingerprint examiners and in the criminal and civilian sections; this entails reviewing files, labeling sealed pockets, creating new pockets for incoming paperwork and ensuring all files are returned once processes are complete.
- Operating the Mental Incompetency Database, which contains the names of individuals who have been deemed by courts to be mentally incompetent and are, for example, ineligible for a concealed-carry license.
This unit verifies all incoming civilian and criminal fingerprint transactions identified with an existing BCI record. Fingerprint examiners also classify, file and search fingerprint files and process all sealing and expungement requests. Tools include the Ohio AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) and the Henry Classification System.
In addition, the Technical Unit assists law enforcement and county coroners with finding identities of unknown persons through fingerprints, and team members teach Basic Henry Classification and Basic Fingerprint Comparison courses at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA).
This unit ensures BCI has correct criminal histories, in part by sending team members to municipal and common pleas courts, clerks of court offices, law enforcement agencies and other WebCheck providers throughout Ohio. These QA representatives help the offices — which all have unique ways of functioning — to correct problems, ensure they are submitting the right information, train workers and enforce BCI and FBI standards. (The FBI audits the Identification Unit every three years.)