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What is a potential consequence of not controlling an informant?

  1. Loss of valuable information

  2. Increased cooperation from the informant

  3. Reduced risk of legal issues

  4. Discovery of new evidence

The correct answer is: Loss of valuable information

The potential consequence of not controlling an informant is indeed the loss of valuable information. When an informant is not properly managed or monitored, they may become unreliable. This can happen for several reasons, such as their own motivations changing, their fear of retribution, or simply due to a lack of guidance on what type of information is relevant. An informant who feels unsupported or unmonitored might choose to withhold critical information or may provide inaccurate or misleading details, ultimately jeopardizing ongoing investigations and the overall success of law enforcement efforts. Effective informant management is crucial to ensure that the information obtained is credible and actionable. Proper oversight allows law enforcement to build trust with informants, ensuring a steady flow of reliable intelligence. This is vital for investigations where timely and accurate information can make a significant difference in outcomes. In contrast, options like increased cooperation from the informant, reduced risk of legal issues, and discovery of new evidence would generally correlate with a well-managed informant relationship; thus, they don't accurately reflect the ramifications of failing to exercise control.