Poll: Do you personally check references for developers you want to hire?

Here in the UK I've noticed a significant apathy towards checking references. There's almost an unwritten rule that says they are pointless.

I'm curious as to what HN's take on references are regardless of what country you work in. Do they serve a purpose given the emphasis placed on a developers code etc?

Are they the domain of HR as a pure compliance, box ticking exercise? Vote on the poll and share your thoughts.