The data of various criminals compiled and maintained by the enforcement agencies are called Criminal records. It is basically a compilation of a person's identification, arrest, conviction, incarceration, legal status, sex offender registration, warrant information, and other relevant criminal history. The main purpose of having such records is to provide a complete criminal history of a person whenever needed. It also helps in short listing suspected criminals in any case and for enhanced sentencing in criminal prosecutions. Criminal records in USA are matter of public record and so they can be accessed by anybody who is willing to do so. The only catch is that when offender has committed any crime for first time and his/her offence is a small one, it can be sealed by the judge. In this case, only selected government agencies can access the record. In this case, the person convicted can legally say no if asked whether he/she has been convicted ever. Such questions are asked routinely during employment etc

Usually, if an employer or any other member of public wishes to find the criminal record of any citizen, the only way is to go to every county and look up the records. Although, there are many online agencies that claim to check the records all over the country, this is not a reliable method. The reason is that while accessing the record, the Social Security Number or date of birth may not be revealed, making the entire search process, prone to errors.

Many courts in USA have started to put the crime databases online, thereby making the search easier now. There are some free sites also which provide the criminal records online. Criminal records some times provide amusing information also like records of Oscar Wilde, Sir Thomas Moore etc. These famous people were convicted for some crimes, some times justly, sometimes unjustly; the records anyways amuse people still today. In USA, FBI maintains the databases of crimes in the country. This is called the National Crime Information Center, or NCIC .It keeps records of all crimes committed like stealing cars, firearms etc. FBI complies all the information for a persons Rap Sheet and is called the Triple I, short form for Interstate Identification Index.

Employers are increasing becoming aware of the need to find out about their employee's crime sheet. A simple criminal record check is done for most employees now. Organizations look into their hiring process and see if due diligence was carried out while hiring employees and whether the language of their application form is too narrow, too broader or ambiguous. Currently, in USA, criminal records are being maintained in the form of DNA profiles of criminals, both identified as well as unidentified ones, from all 50 states, in the Combined DNA Index System.

Criminal Records are helpful to prospective employers and law enforcement agencies for the safety. They allow them to be aware of repeat offenders and punish those who may have gone undetected for long in spite of having committed crimes.