Abstract
An informant is one who furnishes intelligence that may prevent a crime that is planned but not yet committed; uncover a crime that has been committed but has not been discovered or reported; identify the perpetrator of a crime; locate the perpetrator of a crime or help to locate stolen property; exonerate a suspect; and lower morale among criminals through apprehension (unanticipated by those involved in unlawful activity). The informants can be classified into three classes: volunteer, paid, and anonymous. The basic motives for informing include fear, revenge, jealousy, repentance, gratitude, and concern with civic duty. Occasionally, individuals are prompted to act as an informant for venally self-serving and psychologically self-aggrandizing motives. Two kinds of opportunity must prevail if an individual is to function as an informant: one to acquire useful information; the other is to reveal it without exposure to retaliation. Guidelines for the use of informants are discussed along with legality of evidence based on informant-supplied information.
Published Version
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