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Questions and Answers
What is the primary objective of this lesson plan on informant use?
What is the primary objective of this lesson plan on informant use?
What is key to a successful investigation?
What is key to a successful investigation?
What is the primary difference between an informant and a victim or witness?
What is the primary difference between an informant and a victim or witness?
What is the primary role of an informant in a criminal investigation?
What is the primary role of an informant in a criminal investigation?
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What is the significance of controlling informants with motives?
What is the significance of controlling informants with motives?
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What is the source of the quote 'An investigator is no better than his (her) information'?
What is the source of the quote 'An investigator is no better than his (her) information'?
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Why might an informant be used to enter a public or private premises?
Why might an informant be used to enter a public or private premises?
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What is the primary purpose of using an informant in law enforcement?
What is the primary purpose of using an informant in law enforcement?
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What should an officer consider when evaluating an informant's information?
What should an officer consider when evaluating an informant's information?
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What precaution should be taken to avoid entrapment by an informant?
What precaution should be taken to avoid entrapment by an informant?
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Why is it important to document each transaction and incident with an informant?
Why is it important to document each transaction and incident with an informant?
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What is the purpose of an informant identification system?
What is the purpose of an informant identification system?
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Why should an officer not assume an informant is a reliable source of information?
Why should an officer not assume an informant is a reliable source of information?
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What should an officer do to protect themselves when working with an informant?
What should an officer do to protect themselves when working with an informant?
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What is a potential risk of using an informant in law enforcement?
What is a potential risk of using an informant in law enforcement?
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Why is it important to consider an informant's job or occupation when evaluating their potential as an informant?
Why is it important to consider an informant's job or occupation when evaluating their potential as an informant?
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What is a common challenge in using informants in law enforcement?
What is a common challenge in using informants in law enforcement?
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What is the primary purpose of using informants in law enforcement?
What is the primary purpose of using informants in law enforcement?
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What is a common motive for informants to cooperate with law enforcement?
What is a common motive for informants to cooperate with law enforcement?
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What type of informant provides confidential information but wants to remain anonymous?
What type of informant provides confidential information but wants to remain anonymous?
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What is a significant case that was tried based on the use of informants?
What is a significant case that was tried based on the use of informants?
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What is a common way that informants are used in law enforcement?
What is a common way that informants are used in law enforcement?
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Why is it important for investigators to be aware of an informant's motive?
Why is it important for investigators to be aware of an informant's motive?
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What is a type of informant who gives information openly or offers to stand as a witness?
What is a type of informant who gives information openly or offers to stand as a witness?
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Why is it important for investigators to nurture relationships with informants?
Why is it important for investigators to nurture relationships with informants?
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What is a potential consequence of using informants?
What is a potential consequence of using informants?
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Study Notes
Informant Development and Utilization
- Informants are crucial to law enforcement, providing valuable information to aid in investigations and solving crimes
- Informants differ from victims and witnesses in motives and mode of operation, and their information can be "slanted" to a personal agenda
- Examples of significant cases that relied on informants include the Chicago Seven, the Seattle Eight, and the Harrisburg Seven
Classifications of Informants
- Informant: a person who provides information, may do so openly or anonymously
- Confidential Informant: a person who provides confidential information, and their identity must be protected by the investigator
Motives of Informants
- Vanity: wants attention
- Civic Mindedness: wants to see justice done
- Fear: person is under the illusion of oppression or impending danger
- Repentance: wants to right a wrong to clear their conscience
- Avoidance of punishment: seeks to avoid punishment for another crime
- Gratitude or gain: wants to express gratitude or obtain a privilege
- Competition: wants to eliminate competition
- Revenge: wants to settle a grudge
- Jealousy: wants to ruin someone else's life
- Remuneration: informs for financial gain
Uses of Informants
- To make controlled buys of illegal items (most common use)
- To acquire information to establish probable cause and obtain a search warrant
- To provide officer entry into an illegal operation
- To obtain information that would otherwise be difficult to obtain (e.g., illegal activity, identity of persons of interest)
Guidelines for Officer-Informant Relationship
- Develop your own informants: evaluate each person, double-check information, and consider motives and interests
- Consider persons with specific vantage points (e.g., bartenders, cabbies, waiters, janitors, mail carriers)
- Take precautions to avoid entrapment and ensure careful control of the informant
- Document each transaction and incident involving the informant to establish reliability in court
- Use an informant identification system to protect their identity
- Follow department procedures and maintain a professional, objective, and fair attitude towards informants
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Description
This lesson plan introduces trainees to the importance of informant development and utilization in law enforcement, discussing characteristics and classifications of informants. Learn about the role of informants in criminal investigations.
