Introduction to Applicant Livescan processing for DPW

The solution provider for DPW’s background check program is

Cogent Systems; serving government, law enforcement and

industryCogent develops the science that make Identification and verification possible

BiometricsThe use of biological traits and/or

behavior characteristics that identify an

individual

DPW’s background check is a fingerprint based and is comprised of:

Applicant Fingerprints

Livescan

The FBI AFIS

Roller & Ink

- Proved it’s reliability in the past- Quality depends on skill of roller

Livescan Technology

-Electronic

-Faster

-Reduces workload & error rates

-Expands access to public

Biometric Fingerprinting

An FBI background check determines, based on fingerprint images, if an applicant has a criminal history

1. Fingerprints (applicant input)2. Records Check (Image check of the FBI database -

record/no record only)

This check does not verify applicant’s identity

Cogent Fingerprint

Site

Cogent Store & Forward

Servers

Pennsylvania State Police

Federal Bureau of

Investigation

Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare

Identification Records Check

Preparation for a Background Check

• Applicant Registers and makes payment via Cogent’s online service

• Applicant visits the Fingerprint Service Site of their choice

• Results of background check are returned to the authorized recipient

Applicant Registration & Payment

www.pa.cogentid.com/dpw

1-888-439-2486

At the registration page:

Payment Type & ABID

Name

Social Security Number

The ABID designates which third party is to be billed

The ABID Password is a verification code insures authorized use of the ABID

At the Fingerprint Site:

Fingerprint Locations As of 1-2-2008

Additional Units to be scheduled to be installed by 2-1-2008

Units immediately being sought

At the time of Fingerprinting:

Identity Verification

Payment Verification

Resubmission Verification

Receipts not available at site

Results not available at site

The Fingerprint Capture Process

Capturing Fingerprint Flats Capturing a Rolled Print (Begin) Capturing a Rolled Print (End)

The software guides operators through the capture process, with onscreen displays to help the user to properly center the print during capture. If all fingers are flagged in green, as in the example at right, the record is ready to be submitted to PSP

RegistrationAll applicants MUST be registered prior to proceeding to a fingerprint site.

Each registration MUST contain a proper REASON FOR FINGERPRINTING code. The ORI number for DPW will be chosen by default.

Registration may be completed by the applicant at either www.pa.cogentid.com/dpw or by calling 1-888-439-2486. If AGENCY PAY registration must be completed online by the Agency (the ABID holder), to whom the transaction is to be billed.

Applicant MUST bring proper ID and either SSN or Registration confirmation number.

During registration, the entry of correct SSN is critical.

Applicant registration data is “pulled down” from Cogent servers after proper ID verification is made by site personnel. Applicant should verify proper name and spelling of “pulled down” data before proceeding.

Errors in registration data are easily fixed by re-registration. Fingerprint sites are not responsible for fixing applicant registration errors

PaymentPayment type selection is CREDIT CARD, AGENCY PAY or MONEY ORDER (guaranteed payment) NO CASH is accepted at the Fingerprint site

Money orders are to be made payable to COGENT SYSTEMS in the amount of $40.00

Payment is linked to applicant registration by SSN. Credit card payments should use the SAME SSN as applicant registration.

If AGENCY PAY, registration must be completed online by the Agency to whom the transaction is to be billed.

Fingerprint Sites

Fingerprint sites are not responsible for fixing applicant registration issues. If an applicant’s registration information is not available at the fingerprint site, 99% of the time it is a failure to register properly.

99% of the time either the SSN or Confirmation number is incorrect or no payment has been made

Fingerprint sites manage the collection of fingerprints. They are generally unaware of reason’s why or processes outside this aspect. Applicants with detailed questions should seek help at the website or from their agency directly

Fingerprint sites are WALK-IN unless otherwise noted on their Cogent webpage

Fingerprinting

Applicants must be patient with the process: This is new to everybody and nobody enjoys having to do this

Applicants that cause disturbances on site, that interfere with the sites business or workflow efficiency, will be asked to leave to fingerprint site

Fingerprinting can take anywhere between 4 and 10 minutes depending on the quality of the applicants fingerprints. Even the worst prints, those that will be rejected, should take no more than 10 minutes.

1% of the general population CANNOT be fingerprinted. They will be rejected.

Many hard to print individuals are likely to be employment, age and gender related

More than half of the reprints are accepted the second time, but 2nd rejections tend to be fingerprint related

Once submitted, Cogent Systems does not have access to the transaction. Cogent may resend the original transaction if requested by PSP

Results

The applicant's scanned fingerprints will be electronically transmitted to the Pennsylvania State Police, who in turn submits the fingerprints and demographic information to the FBI as required by federal statute. The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) will receive the Federal Criminal History Record from the FBI. 

DPW’s Verification Unit within ChildLine and Abuse Registry will return the results of the Federal Criminal History Record to the applicant or the agency if the agency was the payee.  The results will be printed on standard 8.5" X 11" paper with the Commonwealth Seal imbedded on the paper.  This document constitutes an official Record.  If an applicant presents their Federal Criminal History Record and the Commonwealth Seal is

not embedded on the paper, it should be considered as invalid and not an official Record.

Rejections

In the case of an FBI reject, applicants are requested by the FBI to submit a second set of fingerprints, at no charge to the applicant. This second submission must occur before alternative means of conducting a federal background can be initiated. Statistics reveal that a low percentage of the population may be unable to submit quality fingerprints because their fingerprint detail is inherently poor. Poor fingerprint detail may be caused by age, trade, or some other environmental/physical condition.

If you receive an FBI rejection letter you must submit a second set of fingerprints if you wish to complete your Applicant Background Check. Take your rejection letter and proper identification to the nearest Pennsylvania Fingerprint location. Your second fingerprint submittal will be conducted at no charge.

The fingerprint sites cannot answer questions except those involving times and locations of their fingerprint machines.  All additional information regarding process, policy and print locations may be found at https://www.pa.cogentid.com/dpw. 

Fingerprint applicants should call (717) 783-6211 with any statute or DPW procedural questions.