The office of the Central Repository under the Pennsylvania State Police is the one that handles the PA criminal records. Such record is stored electronically using the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History Records also known as PATCH.
The online system called the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal Records, also known as PATCH, was developed to help reach out to the public. It is an online database system where all of the criminal records of the state are being kept. This includes the arrest records of Pennsylvania. The system not only caters to registered users but also to non-registered users. This means that the authorities, non-criminal agency and even private individuals have the freedom to use the system. However, there are limitations regarding the information that can be obtained by certain individuals. The system still complies with the state\'s criminal code.
Some information is kept private and is not available for public access. An example of this is the name of the witnesses as well as the investigator who was in charge of the case. This was done to protect the safety of the individuals involved in the incident. If the record involves a minor, such document is kept private and is only accessible by authorized individuals. In case where the case is still being investigated, the criminal record is only made open once the case has been closed. This was done to avoid any alterations on the document or bias on the decisions during the investigation.
The state of Pennsylvania only releases the documents to the person who owns the file. Authorized individuals also have access to the arrest records of Pennsylvania. This includes organizations, business owners or government officials. A fingerprint scan would cost only $15 while a name-based search would cost only $10. Authorized individuals are the only ones who are allowed to conduct a fingerprint search.
Aside from the online system, one can personally request it at the State Police Central Repository office of the state. Before going to the office, the state recommends downloading the form online to help speed up the process. The form has to be submitted to the said office and payment has to be made with a check amounting to $10 only or a money order. All of the necessary information has to be indicated on the form which can aid in the retrieval process. Also, the one who requested the file will be required to provide their contact details as well. This will only be used to track and document the access to the file.
The Internet is now used as a medium to deliver information to a number of targets. Criminal arrest records are one of the many documents that are now available online. This makes the search convenient and a lot faster than most of the methods that we know of. There are websites that offer criminal records free to public. The Pennsylvania Access to criminal history records is linked with some website in order to deliver the most accurate information to the public.