Background Check Summarization
Transforms raw background check data into a decision-ready summary with risk categorization and compliance flags. Output has three sections: executive summary, detailed findings, and methodology.
Quick Start
- Identify subject (name, DOB, SSN last 4, search scope)
- Categorize each check type as Pass / Flag / Pending
- Assign overall status: GREEN, YELLOW, or RED
- Surface top 2–3 findings and any compliance flags
- Append methodology and coverage limitations
Output Structure
Executive Summary
- Subject: Full name, DOB, SSN (last 4), search scope
- Overall Status: GREEN (clear) / YELLOW (requires review) / RED (adverse findings)
- Category Table: Pass/Flag/Pending per check type
- Key Findings: 2–3 most significant items
- Compliance Flags: Jurisdiction-specific requirements
Detailed Findings
Present each category with findings or explicit "No records found":
| Category |
Key Data Points |
| Criminal Records (Fed/State/County) |
Charges, disposition, date, jurisdiction, sentence |
| Sex Offender Registry |
Status, jurisdiction |
| Civil Litigation |
Case type, role, disposition, damages |
| Employment Verification |
Title (claimed vs. verified), dates, departure reason |
| Education Verification |
Degree (claimed vs. verified), institution, dates |
| Professional Licenses |
Status, disciplinary actions |
| Sanctions/Watchlist |
OFAC, BIS, state debarment |
| Adverse Media |
Source, date, relevance assessment |
Methodology & Limitations
State sources searched and gaps (jurisdictions not covered, sealed records, database lag).
Risk Categorization
| Status |
Criteria |
Action |
| GREEN |
No adverse records, all verifications confirmed |
Proceed |
| YELLOW |
Minor discrepancies, old/minor offenses, items needing context |
Human review required |
| RED |
Significant adverse findings, verification failures, recent serious offenses |
Enhanced review / adverse action |
Escalation Factors
- Criminal: Felony; violence/fraud/theft-related; recency (<7 yrs); position relevance; pending charges
- Employment: Title inflation; date gaps >3 months; overlapping employment; employer not found
- Education: Degree or institution mismatch; unaccredited institution
Compliance Checks
- FCRA: Adverse action requires pre-adverse notice, report copy, and Summary of Rights — always note this
- Ban-the-Box / Fair Chance: Flag jurisdictions restricting criminal history inquiries at specific hiring stages
- EEOC Guidance: Evaluate criminal history for nature of offense, time elapsed, and job-relatedness
- State lookback limits: Note applicable 7-year or other reportable-record limitations
1---2name: background-check-summary3description: Summarizes raw background check data into structured executive reports with risk categorization (GREEN/YELLOW/RED). Use when processing criminal records, court filings, employment/education verification, sanctions screening, or adverse media for pre-employment screening, executive due diligence, or investment-grade investigations.4---5
6# Background Check Summarization
7
8Transforms raw background check data into a decision-ready summary with risk categorization and compliance flags. Output has three sections: executive summary, detailed findings, and methodology.
9
10## Quick Start
11
121. Identify subject (name, DOB, SSN last 4, search scope)
132. Categorize each check type as Pass / Flag / Pending
143. Assign overall status: GREEN, YELLOW, or RED
154. Surface top 2–3 findings and any compliance flags
165. Append methodology and coverage limitations
17
18## Output Structure
19
20### Executive Summary
21
22- **Subject**: Full name, DOB, SSN (last 4), search scope
23- **Overall Status**: GREEN (clear) / YELLOW (requires review) / RED (adverse findings)
24- **Category Table**: Pass/Flag/Pending per check type
25- **Key Findings**: 2–3 most significant items
26- **Compliance Flags**: Jurisdiction-specific requirements
27
28### Detailed Findings
29
30Present each category with findings or explicit "No records found":
31
32| Category | Key Data Points |
33|----------|----------------|
34| Criminal Records (Fed/State/County) | Charges, disposition, date, jurisdiction, sentence |
35| Sex Offender Registry | Status, jurisdiction |
36| Civil Litigation | Case type, role, disposition, damages |
37| Employment Verification | Title (claimed vs. verified), dates, departure reason |
38| Education Verification | Degree (claimed vs. verified), institution, dates |
39| Professional Licenses | Status, disciplinary actions |
40| Sanctions/Watchlist | OFAC, BIS, state debarment |
41| Adverse Media | Source, date, relevance assessment |
42
43### Methodology & Limitations
44
45State sources searched and gaps (jurisdictions not covered, sealed records, database lag).
46
47## Risk Categorization
48
49| Status | Criteria | Action |
50|--------|----------|--------|
51| GREEN | No adverse records, all verifications confirmed | Proceed |
52| YELLOW | Minor discrepancies, old/minor offenses, items needing context | Human review required |
53| RED | Significant adverse findings, verification failures, recent serious offenses | Enhanced review / adverse action |
54
55### Escalation Factors
56
57- **Criminal**: Felony; violence/fraud/theft-related; recency (<7 yrs); position relevance; pending charges
58- **Employment**: Title inflation; date gaps >3 months; overlapping employment; employer not found
59- **Education**: Degree or institution mismatch; unaccredited institution
60
61## Compliance Checks
62
63- **FCRA**: Adverse action requires pre-adverse notice, report copy, and Summary of Rights — always note this
64- **Ban-the-Box / Fair Chance**: Flag jurisdictions restricting criminal history inquiries at specific hiring stages
65- **EEOC Guidance**: Evaluate criminal history for nature of offense, time elapsed, and job-relatedness
66- **State lookback limits**: Note applicable 7-year or other reportable-record limitations
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