John Mark Karr and the JonBenet Ramsey Case: The Ripple Effect on the World of Background Checks

The arrest of former teacher Jon Mark Karr for thechecks due to their inexpensiveness and unbiased
murder of JonBenet Ramsey will have a majorinformation.
impact on parents throughout the world. Parents whoHiring decisions based on impressions or gut feelings
never once questioned the character of theirwill not fly with parents who don't want someone like
children's teachers will now have to think twice as toKarr around their children. Online background checks
who they are leaving their kids with each day.also provide a sort of legal safety net for hiring
Teachers, often thought of as selfless individuals whoofficials as their decisions can be justified by the
give of themselves to enlighten our youth, now willstone cold facts presented on the background check
scrutinized by many due to Karr's arrest. Morereport.
importantly, the pasts of teachers will be analyzed byIt has been said that those who don't learn from
more school boards and parents through onlinehistory are doomed to repeat it. Upon hearing that
background checks than ever before. Just as 9/11the alleged killer of little JonBenet was a teacher,
brought attention to the need for protection againstmany parents immediately questioned Karr's school
terrorism and Janet Jackson brought attention to theboard for hiring him. However, parents who want to
need for increased censorship, Karr's arrest will bringbe a little tougher on teachers in the wake of Karr's
attention to the need to screen teachers morearrest have very limited options when it comes to
carefully.checking up on who is currently teaching at their
Considered by many to be the most effective waychildren's schools. Looking for a way to delve deeper
to screen potential employees, background checksinto the character of their children's teachers, people
are used in various capacities by school boardssearch experts believe the use of online background
throughout the United States. However, just as thechecks by concerned parents will increase significantly
O.J. Simpson case led to the acknowledgment of thein the coming years. With online background check
need for tougher domestic violence laws, the Johnreport data, parents who also have suspicions or
Mark Karr arrest will lead to a tougher screeningreservations against a particular teacher will have
process for potential teachers. This new process willsuch data as a teacher's criminal past to justify to
certainly be centralized around online backgroundthe school board that teacher's need for dismissal.