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Massachusetts General Hospital Police performs criminal background checks (Criminal Offender Records Information, or CORI) for prospective employees, volunteers, students, and contractors, designated/professional visitors of extended duration who may have unmonitored contact with vulnerable populations (including children and the elderly), or who may have access to sensitive data, systems, narcotics or intellectual property.

CORI Form

Download a CORI screening form. 

When complete, forward it to:
Deborah Routhier
Wang 2-232
Telephone: 617-724-4337
Fax: 617-724-9111

CORI (Criminal Offender Records Information) Background Checks

Felony convictions are included in CORI reports only for ten years after final disposition (including termination of any period of incarceration). Misdemeanor convictions will be reported only for five years after final disposition (again, including termination of any period of incarceration).

If an offender has at least one conviction that is still timely for reporting purposes, however, then all prior convictions (no matter how old) will also be reported. There is no time limit for the reporting of murder, manslaughter and sex offense convictions punishable by incarceration in a state prison, or for pending criminal charges (including until they are dismissed, charges that have been continued without a finding).

Current law prohibits employers from asking job-seekers about prior criminal records as part of an initial written job application.

Massachusetts General Hospital Police performs criminal background checks (CORI) for prospective employees, volunteers, students, and contractors, business/professional visitors of extended duration who may have unmonitored contact with vulnerable populations including children and the elderly, or who may have access to sensitive data, systems, narcotics or intellectual property. We comply with all laws and regulations regarding the acquisition and review of criminal history information regarding individuals who work for, provide services for, or receive training at programs or facilities of Massachusetts General Hospital (collectively Mass General Brigham) in either a paid or unpaid capacity.

Questions pertaining to an applicant’s criminal history will not be asked until the applicant is given a conditional offer of employment and has accepted the position.

An offer of employment is conditional upon a satisfactory background screening investigation as determined by Mass General Brigham in accordance with their policy.

As a prerequisite, an applicant must provide a written consent form and a government-issued pictured identification allowing a multi-state or international criminal background check.

If an applicant has a positive criminal background report, the applicant will be provided with a copy of his/her criminal history, Mass General Brigham CORI policy and information concerning the process for disputing and correcting his/her criminal record. Employment is contingent upon accurately completing all the required criminal history forms. Falsifying information will eliminate an applicant from consideration for employment or affiliation.

A comparable procedure is used for volunteers, designated/professional visitors of extended duration, students, contractors, subcontractors and individuals who may have the potential for unmonitored contact with Mass General Brigham’s vulnerable population, including children and the elderly, or who may have access to sensitive data, systems, narcotics or intellectual property.

If a candidate has a criminal background, his/her record will be reviewed by Massachusetts General Hospital Police and Security and a Human Resources representative to determine its potential for creating a risk and to review the relevance to the duties and qualifications of the position.

All candidates with a criminal history will be given the opportunity to dispute the accuracy and relevance of their criminal background report. In addition and as part of the candidate’s dispute, the candidate may have a criminal justice official provide an opinion in writing that the candidate does not pose a risk for the position sought.

A candidate who has a State or Federal criminal record may not commence employment until a thorough inquiry is completed and a satisfactory conclusion results.

If a candidate's CORI reveals pending offenses, the applicant cannot begin employment until the case is closed. Felony and misdemeanor conviction information will be assessed and applied consistent with applicable law.

Applicants will be given a ten-day period to dispute the accuracy of the CORI report and any supporting documentation. It isMass General Brigham's intent to give the candidate a fair opportunity for employment and in such instances, the candidates will be interviewed and the findings explained, and should court errors or omissions be detected, the candidate will be directed to the appropriate court sources for resolution.

If the CORI record provided does not match the identification information provided by the applicant, the candidate will be given the opportunity to resolve the identification issue.

To comply with state and federal laws and regulations identity, references and credentials will be verified for all employees, volunteers, students, contractors, designated/professional visitors of extended duration who may have unmonitored contact with our vulnerable population including children and the elderly or who may have access to sensitive data, systems, narcotics or intellectual property.

Criminal information will be disseminated by Massachusetts General Hospital Police and Security only to authorized Mass General Brigham representatives. No information will be disseminated outside Mass General Brigham unless approved by governing state agencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to process CORI requests?

The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services regularly updates Mass.gov with information regarding current CORI processing times. The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services is not able to accommodate emergency requests, therefore please allow reasonable time for processing.

How do I determine whether an offense is a felony or misdemeanor?

A felony is a crime punishable by death or imprisonment in the state prison. All other crimes are misdemeanors.

My lawyer told me that my case was dismissed and that it would not be on my record. It still is. Why is it still on my record?

Once a person has been arraigned, they have a record and that record will never disappear without a court order.

I was never charged with some of the offenses that appear on my criminal record. How do I correct this?

You need to contact the probation department of the court in which the disputed charges were brought. This means if you are disputing several different charges out of several different courts, you must contact each of the probation departments of the various courts. This also pertains to records which incorrectly report that someone was convicted of a crime.

What are the requirements for verifying the information contained on the CORI request form?

Regulations require that prior to submitting a CORI request, the information provided by the applicant must be verified with some type of government-issued photo identification. The type of documentation used to verify this information must also be noted on the CORI request form. If an individual does not have any type of government-issued photo identification, the CORI request form may be verified with a birth certificate or Social Security card.

Can individuals access their own criminal records?

Yes, they can request a copy of their criminal record through the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services.