At the very least, have some idea that you are not going out with a dangerous or deeply misguided person. Though traditional references do not help much with that.
After that, it is possible to skip checking out entirely, or to look into things at anytime. There is no such thing as looking into someone too much. Just most prospective matches, ask the wrong things. Think what really matters, That I would not find out from meeting them.
I’m not really hearing why it has to be one way or the other.