Criminal Investigation: Informant Development and Utilization

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary objective of this lesson plan on informant use?

To introduce the importance of informant development and utilization (correct)

To understand the different classifications of informants

To identify the major guidelines for the officer-informant relationship

To analyze the role of labs in criminal investigation

What is key to a successful investigation?

Informant cooperation

Evidence collection

Laboratory analysis

Information gathering (correct)

What is the primary difference between an informant and a victim or witness?

Type of information provided

Method of operation

Motivation for cooperation (correct)

Level of involvement in the investigation

What is the primary role of an informant in a criminal investigation?

To provide accurate information to law enforcement Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of controlling informants with motives?

To prevent informant manipulation Signup and view all the answers

What is the source of the quote 'An investigator is no better than his (her) information'?

Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation by O'Hara & O'Hara Signup and view all the answers

Why might an informant be used to enter a public or private premises?

To provide officer entry into an illegal operation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using an informant in law enforcement?

To gather information that would otherwise be difficult to obtain Signup and view all the answers

What should an officer consider when evaluating an informant's information?

The informant's motives and interests Signup and view all the answers

What precaution should be taken to avoid entrapment by an informant?

Careful control of the informant by the police officer Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to document each transaction and incident with an informant?

To establish a reliability issue in court Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an informant identification system?

To protect the informant's identity from other agencies and individuals Signup and view all the answers

Why should an officer not assume an informant is a reliable source of information?

Because informants may have motives that are not aligned with the officer's goals Signup and view all the answers

What should an officer do to protect themselves when working with an informant?

Follow the department's procedures for working with informants Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential risk of using an informant in law enforcement?

The informant may be unreliable Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to consider an informant's job or occupation when evaluating their potential as an informant?

Because certain jobs may provide access to valuable information Signup and view all the answers

What is a common challenge in using informants in law enforcement?

Determining their motive. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using informants in law enforcement?

To gather information. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common motive for informants to cooperate with law enforcement?

All of the above. Signup and view all the answers

What type of informant provides confidential information but wants to remain anonymous?

Confidential informant. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant case that was tried based on the use of informants?

All of the above. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common way that informants are used in law enforcement?

To make controlled buys of illegal items. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for investigators to be aware of an informant's motive?

All of the above. Signup and view all the answers

What is a type of informant who gives information openly or offers to stand as a witness?

Informant. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for investigators to nurture relationships with informants?

To develop a useful information gathering tool. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of using informants?

All of the above. Signup and view all the answers

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.