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DPS crime database too shoddy for thorough background checks

Crime data maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety is so shoddy that it's unreliable for performing background checks and gives the public a "false sense of security," according to an article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram ("Texas DPS criminal databases missing thousands of records," Nov. 25):More than a third of criminal records are missing from the online Department of Public Safety database available to the public, a Fort Worth company found in a study.Even government agencies, which have access to more detailed criminal records to screen teachers, doctors, volunteers and tradespeople, use a DPS system fraught with gaps, officials and experts said. Problems exist because of human error and because of spotty reporting from law enforcement agencies, courts and district attorneys that provide information...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on November 25, 2008 (boomark / email).