Texas State Auditor
SAO: Reports:
A Survey of Fingerprint Collection Among State Agencies
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John Keel, CPA Texas State Auditor SAO: Reports: A Survey of Fingerprint Collection Among State Agencies |
August 2011
Report Number 11-046
In June 2011, the State Auditor's Office surveyed 20 state agencies regarding their collection of fingerprints. The majority of the state agencies surveyed reported that they used fingerprints for conducting criminal history background checks. In addition, the majority reported that they used the services of the Department of Public Safety's Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) contractor--L-1 Identity Solutions--to collect fingerprints.
Key survey results related to state agencies' collection and use of fingerprints included the following:
The majority of the state agencies surveyed reported that they used fingerprints for conducting criminal history background checks. Specifically:
- Fifteen (75 percent) of the 20 state agencies surveyed reported that they used fingerprints to conduct criminal history background checks when individuals obtain professional licenses.
- Eight (40 percent) of the 20 state agencies surveyed reported that they used fingerprints to conduct criminal history background checks on employees.
- Five (25 percent) of the 20 state agencies surveyed reported that they used fingerprints for other reasons, such as (1) performing criminal history background checks when organizations apply for new credit union charters, (2) performing criminal history background checks for officers and directors of insurance companies and health maintenance organizations, and (3) performing criminal history background checks to prevent potentially dangerous caregivers from having access to vulnerable clients.
- Seven (35 percent) of the 20 state agencies surveyed reported that they used fingerprints for more than one purpose.
Most state agencies surveyed generally reported that they used one state vendor to collect fingerprints.
- Seventeen (85 percent) of the 20 state agencies surveyed reported that they used a third-party vendor to collect fingerprints. Of those 17 state agencies, 16 reported that they used the services of the Department of Public Safety's FAST contractor--L-1 Identity Solutions--to collect fingerprints. L-1 Identity Solutions contracts and works with the Department of Public Safety to provide fingerprinting services throughout the state.
- Eleven (55 percent) of the 20 state agencies surveyed reported that they exercised their option to use the services of a local and/or state law enforcement agency to collect fingerprints.
Most state agencies surveyed reported that they collect fingerprints from all fingers and the thumb.
- Nineteen (95 percent) of the 20 state agencies surveyed reported that they collected fingerprints from all fingers and the thumb.
- One (5 percent) of the 20 state agencies surveyed reported that it collected fingerprints from multiple, but not all, fingers.
- None of the 20 state agencies surveyed reported that they collected fingerprints for just one finger.
Fingerprint collection methods vary.
- Fourteen (70 percent) of the 20 state agencies surveyed reported that they collected fingerprints both electronically and on paper fingerprint cards.
- Three (15 percent) of the 20 state agencies surveyed reported that they collected fingerprints only on paper cards. Another three (15 percent) of the 20 state agencies surveyed reported that they collected fingerprints only electronically.
- Some state agencies surveyed reported using paper cards to collect fingerprints; they reported that they do so to facilitate the collection of fingerprints from out-of-state applicants.
Responses to the survey did not reveal any duplication of effort in state agencies' collection of fingerprints.