Chapter 8
Criminal Justice 2011
Chapter 8
Management of Informants and Undercover Operations
Criminal Investigation
The Art and the Science by Michael D. Lyman
Copyright 2011
CHAPTER SUMMARY
8.1 Describe the types of people used as informants.
8.2 Identify various areas of concern in the use of informants.
8.3 Understand the various motivations of informants.
8.4 Document and process an informant properly.
8.5 Maintain control of an informant during an investigation.
8.6 Protect an informant’s identity.
8.7 Understand the problems most commonly associated with the use of informants.
8.8 Understand the usefulness of undercover investigations.
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcome
8.1
Describe the types of people used as informants.
8.1
Types of Informants
Police officers
Informants
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcome
8.2
Identify various areas of concern in the use of informants.
8.2
Informant Issues
First, informants are often difficult to control.
8.2
Informant Issues
Second, an informant can become a source of public embarrassment for the law enforcement agency.
8.2
Informant Issues
A third area of concern is the informant’s questionable credibility in court.
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcome
8.3
Understand the various motivations of informants.
8.3
Informant Motivation
The fearful informant.
8.3
Informant Motivation
The financially motivated informant.
“Mercenary” informants give information in exchange for a fee.
8.3
Informant Motivation
The revengeful informant.
8.3
Informant Motivation
The egotistical informant.
8.3
Informant Motivation
The perversely motivated informant.
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcome
8.4
Document and process an informant properly.
8.4
Using Informants
Report observations
Introduce undercover
Officers
Report on
“inside” information
8.4
Informant Reliability Flow Chart
Step One:
Interview
Step Two:
Verify facts
Step Three:
Controlled buy
Step Four:
Search warrant
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcome
8.5
Maintain control of an informant during an investigation.
8.5
Managing Informants
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcome
8.6
Protect an informant’s identity.
8.6
Type of Informants
Anonymous
vs.
Confidential
8.6
Informant Motivation Review…
Why do they do it?
Trying to stay out of prison
Getting paid (mercenary)
Good citizen
Revenge, ego, or other personal motives
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcome
8.7
Understand the problems most commonly associated with the use of informants.
8.7
Informant Problems
Investigators becoming too friendly with informants.
8.7
Informant Problems
Informants of the opposite sex
8.7
Informant Problems
Crimes committed by the informant.
8.7
Informant Problems
Officers who “own” their informants
8.7
Why Use informants
Prosecution
vs.
Unfettered
Crime
Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcome
8.8
Understand the usefulness of undercover investigations.
8.8
Undercover Operations
Defined as assuming a fictitious identity and associating with criminals for the purpose of collecting information or evidence on criminal activity.
8.8
Undercover Operations
Undercover work and surveillance are viable options for police investigators because they provide considerable information
8.8
Undercover Operations
Typically, undercover work has been associated with drug enforcement, but it is a tool that can be useful in the investigation of a number of criminal activities.
8.8
The Process….
UC
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8.8
The Process
Step 1:
Select the
Target
Step 2:
Data
Collection
Step 3:
Develop a cover story
Step 4:
Introduction and infiltration
CHAPTER SUMMARY
8.1 Describe the types of people used as informants.
8.2 Identify various areas of concern in the use of informants.
8.3 Understand the various motivations of informants.
8.4 Document and process an informant properly.
8.5 Maintain control of an informant during an investigation.
8.6 Protect an informant’s identity.
8.7 Understand the problems most commonly associated with the use of informants.
8.8 Understand the usefulness of undercover investigations.
