The central repository of criminal history information is maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and this is the justice entity that is in charge of disseminating details pertaining to criminal occurrences and offenders in the state to all law enforcement agencies and the public at large. This data is compiled from all the sheriffs’ departments across Tennessee.
It comprises of arrest records for felony and misdemeanor cases which are backed by fingerprints. This means that if the alleged perpetrator could not be finger printed, you will not be able to find information pertaining to him or the matter that he was involved in through this system. Yet, inquiries for background reports accepted from civilians are name based searches.
The TBI offers two systems for availing crime history information and a background report. The Tennessee Open Records Information Service or TORIS is for public use and the tool is capable of initiating a name based inquiry through the criminal database maintained by the agency. In contrast, the Tennessee Applicant processing Service or TAPS is specially designed to help individuals who are looking for a personal finger print based background to avail an employment opportunity.
TORIS: To get the TORIS check done, you will only need to furnish personal identifier information about your subject like the name, date of birth, race and gender.Additional data like a current address and social security number can help to bring back fewer and more accurate results.
The repository that is dipped in to find this data has information on all criminal cases that occurred in the state of Tennessee. However, the TORIS check does not offer results on criminal acts that the subject may have been accused of in other parts of the country. Although, it is possible to get in touch with the FBI for a nationwide search, these are restricted to personal background checks and third party information is not offered through this facility.
The results of a TORRIS inquiry will bring back information on all arrest records in the name of the subject; this will include detentions that were effected both with and without orders and arrests that did not results in a conviction when the case went to trial. Applicants are charged $29 per search and this inquiry can be initiated online at https://tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov/Toris/. It is possible to use your credit card to make the payment for this service.
You can also get in touch with the Tennessee Open Records Information Service by calling them on 615-744-4057. For an FBI search, you can connect with the agency at 304-625-5590 and pick the option to get a background report from their IVR; alternatively, you could mail in your request to the address listed below. A charge of $18 will have to be incurred for such inquiries.
The Federal Bureau of InvestigationCriminal Justice Information Services DivisionAttn: SCU, Mod. D-21000 Custer Hollow RoadClarksburg, WV 26306
TAPS: The Tennessee Applicant processing Services background check will be more appropriate for you if you need to furnish criminal history information as a condition to employment. This is a finger print based inquiry and you will need to submit finger print cards taken at one of the field offices of the TBI.
However, you can only get a personal report through this service. If the job you have applied for falls under the development Disabilities or the Child Care Provider Act, your employer can get into an agreement with TBI to get background information through the service. Of course, you could also provide a notarized copy of your crime history report procured through TORIS or TAPS to your employer but for notarization, the inquiries will have to be mailed in. To connect with the TBI, you can write to:
Tennessee Bureau of InvestigationHeadquarters901 R.S. Gass BoulevardNashville, TN 37216(615) 744-4000
To find the location of their closest field office, go to http://www.tn.gov/directory. Information on records which are expunged in response to a court order will not be displayed in either of the reports.