Which of the following are factors used to evaluate the reliability of an untested informant's tip?

• A. Corroboration of the information by police
• B. Declarations against penal interest
• C. Reputation and past criminal behavior of the suspect
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

When evaluating an untested informant’s tip, you look for ways to verify and gauge credibility. Corroboration by police is key: independent checks of the tip against surveillance, records, other witnesses, or physical evidence help confirm whether the information is accurate. Declarations against penal interest are another important signal: if the informant makes statements that could bring personal legal trouble, those admissions tend to carry more weight as indicators of honesty, because people are less likely to make up information that could harm them. Considering the suspect’s reputation and past criminal behavior also helps: if the tip describes patterns or conduct that align with what’s historically known about the suspect, it increases the likelihood that the tip is reliable.

Together, these factors provide a fuller picture of reliability, which is why all of the above are used to evaluate an untested informant’s tip.