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“use A Oe A SENSITIVE Man1-ID: LHBSAP1 LEGAL HANDBOOK FOR SPECIAL AGENTS PART 1 eee Information of which the Agent does not have personal knowledge is hearsay. Although probable cause may be based in whole or in part on hearsay, Agents should carefully evaluate such information to ensure that it is given proper weight. In evaluating hearsay information, Agents should consider the CREDIBILITY OF THE SOURCE as well as the RELIABILITY OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED, | **EFEDte: 07/26/1999 MCRT#: 915 Divs D9 Cavs: SecCls: J1-4.2.1 Credibility of the Source ; | (1) Knowledge of the source - In everyday experience, either consciously or subconsciously, we make judgments regarding the credibility of individuals who provide information to us. Whether we know the person, how well we know them, and what we know about them-- these are common factors we rely upon in judging credibility. (2) Corroboration of facts - Credibility of any source can be bolstered 1f we already know, or can establish independently, that a substantial portion of the information is true. | **Ef£Dte: 07/26/1999 MCRT#: 915 Div: D9 Cav: SecCls: ]1-4.2.2 Reliability of the Information The most credible of sources may provide information that is unreliable. Thus, in assessing the reliability of the information, it is important to ascertain the basis of it. In other words, how does the source know? How was the information acquired? If Agents know how the source obtained the information, it is possible to assess its reliability. For example, if the source obtained it firsthand, it is more reliable than if it was obtained through hearsay. If the Agents do not know how the source obtained the information, a high degree of detail in the information provided can support an inference that the information is reliable. In the absence of knowledge of the basis for the source's information, independent corroboration can support a reasonable belief in the information's reliability. | **EFEDte: 07/26/1999 MCRT#: 915 Div: D9 Cav: SecCls; J1-4.3 Logical Inferences | In addition to information acquired through firsthand perceptions or hearsay, Agents may draw logical inferences from that SENSITIVE Printed: 08/20/2003 06:43:34 Page 3