Appendix B to Part 86 - Criteria For Criminal History Background Check Disqualification

The ultimate decision to determine how to use information obtained from the criminal history background checks in selection for positions involving the care, treatment, supervision, or education of children must incorporate a common sense decision based upon all known facts. Adverse information is evaluated by the DoD Component Head or designee who is qualified at the appropriate level of command in interpreting criminal history background checks. All information of record both favorable and unfavorable will be assessed in terms of its relevance, recentness, and seriousness. Likewise, positive mitigating factors should be considered. Final suitability decisions shall be made by that commander or designee. Criteria that will result in disqualification of an applicant require careful screening of the data and include, but are not limited to, the following:

A. Mandatory Disqualifying Criteria

Any conviction for a sexual offense, a drug felony, a violent crime, or a criminal offense involving a child or children.

B. Discretionary Criteria

1. Acts that may tend to indicate poor judgment, unreliability, or untrustworthiness in working with children.

2. Any behavior; illness; or mental, physical, or emotional condition that in the opinion of a competent medical authority may cause a defect in judgment or reliability.

3. Offenses involving assault, battery, or other abuse of a victim, regardless of age of the victim.

4. Evidence or documentation of substance abuse dependency.

5. Illegal or improper use, possession, or addiction to any controlled or psychoactive substances, narcotic, cannibas, or other dangerous drug.

6. Sexual acts, conduct, or behavior that, because of the circumstances in which they occur, may indicate untrustworthiness, unreliability, lack of judgment, or irresponsibility in working with children.

7. A wide range of offenses such as arson, homicide, robbery, fraud, or any offense involving possession or use of a firearm.

8. Evidence that the individual is a fugitive from justice.

9. Evidence that the individual is an illegal alien who is not entitled to accept gainful employment for a position.

10. A finding of negligence in a mishap causing death or serious injury to a child or dependent person entrusted to their care.

C. Suitability Considerations

In making a determination of suitability, the evaluator shall consider the following additional factors to the extent that these examples are considered pertinent to the individual case:

1. The kind of position for which the individual is applying or employed.

2. The nature and seriousness of the conduct.

3. The recentness of the conduct.

4. The age of the individual at the time of the conduct.

5. The circumstances surrounding the conduct.

6. Contributing social or environmental conditions.

7. The absence or presence of rehabilitation or efforts toward rehabilitation.

8. The nexus of the arrests in regard to the job to be performed.

D. Questions

1. All applications, for each of the categories of individuals identified in §86.3, will include the following questions: “Have you ever been arrested for or charged with a crime involving a child? Have you ever been asked to resign because of or been decertified for a sexual offense? And, if so, “provide a description of the case disposition.” For FCC, foster care, and respite care providers, this question is asked of the applicant regarding all adults, and all children 12 years and older, who reside in the household.

2. All applications shall state that the form is being signed under penalty of perjury. In addition, a false statement rendered by an employee may result in adverse action up to and including removal from Federal service.

3. Evaluation of criminal history background checks is made and monitored by qualified personnel at the appropriate level designated by the Component. Final suitability decisions are made by the designee.