The findings of this study and similar studies show that unofficial private criminal history records may not be as complete as official records in a State's official repository. Also, fingerprint searches are preferable to searches initiated under a subject's name and date of birth. These findings do not mean, however, that private sources cannot be a useful source of conviction information. Using a fingerprint-based SID (State identification number) to compile conviction records and implementing procedures for reviewing and challenging the data can improve the accuracy of unofficial sources of criminal history records. In addition, making the information in the State's criminal history repository competitively available through the Internet may force providers to improve their compilation and even acquire updated information more rapidly than official records. The danger that consumers may unknowingly rely on inaccurate conviction records from private information sources can be reduced by providing adequate warnings and informing purchasers of the information's age. A further check on the accuracy of private criminal history information would be the use and publication of audits. The criminal histories of the six study subjects consisted of two persons convicted of felonies, two sex offenders, and two persons with expunged records. The two commercial providers of criminal history information were selected based upon how easy they were to find and use, whether they published their information sources, and their ability to provide an electronic response within 24 hours. Both providers were easily found on the Internet. 2 tables and 32 notes