What does an informant need?

• A. Credibility, and Basis for Information
• B. A Notarized Affidavit
• C. A Background Check
• D. A Witness Signature

Answer: (A)

At the heart of using information from an informant is two essential qualities: credibility and basis for the information. Credibility means the informant has proven trustworthy—a track record of truthfulness, consistency, and reliability. The basis for the information is about where the knowledge comes from—whether the informant personally observed facts, has direct knowledge, and can provide details that tie to verifiable events rather than vague rumors. Together, these determine how much weight the information should carry and whether it can be corroborated with other evidence. The other options don’t address what makes informant information usable: a notarized affidavit isn’t required for value; a background check isn’t what establishes usefulness of a tip; a witness signature isn’t necessary.