The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word EXAMINES
E
X
A
M
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S
More clues leading to the result EXAMINES
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Checks" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case checks = examines.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does EXAMINES mean?
EXAMINES verb- To observe or inspect carefully or critically
- To check the health or condition of something or someone
- To determine the aptitude, skills or qualifications of someone by subjecting them to an examination
- To interrogate