The phrase "criminal past" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: Many employers require job applicants to disclose any criminal past they may have.
She could not explain his criminal past.
George described his criminal past in full detail.
Evil footman Thomas was blackmailing Phyllis over her criminal past.
He outlined his criminal past with detail but not emotion.
But McMillan quickly dismissed reports detailing Sterling's criminal past.
After Ms. Moulton's killing, a local newspaper headline said, "Group home blind to man's criminal past".
The police arrested Martin Redrick, 40, a black man with a criminal past.
With respect to prisoners, "necessary information" probably refers most specifically to a patient's: a. criminal past.
Another resident, Judy Echenrode, lamented that Mr. Linder's criminal past was dividing the town.
In an interview with The Washington Post in 2009, Williams referred to Malone's criminal past.
"They said I eat children for breakfast," says the mayor of allegations about his criminal past.
