Undercover Operations

Question 1

What are the types of undercover operations or assignments?

Answer 1

Impromptu
Short-term
Long-term
Penetration

Question 2

What is the impromptu assignment?

Answer 2

A shallow undercover role. (pose as a tourist while performing surveillance)

Question 3

What is a short-term assignment?

Answer 3

Investigator functioning in an undercover role for a short duration due to the nature of the investigation

Question 4

What is a long-term assignment?

Answer 4

Undercover role that may last for several weeks to several months. (Majority worked by UC are this type)

Question 5

What is a penetration assignment?

Answer 5

Designed to penetrate or infiltrate the upper echelon of the criminal element. (Most difficult and dangerous type)

Question 6

What is the objective of an undercover operation?

Answer 6

Obtain information or evidence that is not available through other investigative techniques.

Question 7

What are the 5 phases of an undercover operation?

Answer 7

Planning
Initiation
Operational
Termination
Evaluation

Question 8

Can one of the phases be omitted?

Answer 8

No, all phases are important.

Question 9

What goes on during the planning phase?

Answer 9

Reviewing background information and determining the objectives.
Research the applicable statutes of the criminal activity in question.
Gather all available information on the subject of the investigation

Question 10

Who else should the case agent look into during the planning phase?

Answer 10

Associates of the subject.

Question 11

During which phase should a decision be made about which personnel are needed for the operation to be successful?

Answer 11

Planning

Question 12

Selection of the UC is made during what phase?

Answer 12

Planning, it is also one of the most important steps in securing the success of the under operation.

Question 13

What should the case agent consider when choosing the appropriate UC?

Answer 13

Type of Illegal activity
The appropriate Sex, Age and Race or ethnic origin
Area of operation
Specialized skills required
Willingness of the UC to accept this important role (MOST IMPORTANT)

Question 14

What is the initiation phase of an undercover operation?

Answer 14

Continue to gather information about the violator, his/her associates and their areas of operation.

Question 15

Where should the case agent obtain information to assist gather information on all players involved to help the UC and other personnel?

Answer 15

Internal Case Files and Reports
Other agencies through liaison
All manner of law enforcement databases
Public record sources
The internet

Question 16

What should the UC be briefed about?

Answer 16

The investigation current status.
Case agent should also outline the objectives of the investigation, the role that the UC is expected to play, possible areas of expansion, and the issue of entrapment.

Question 17

What is entrapment?

Answer 17

When criminal activity is induced by government agents.

Question 18

Should the case agent introduce the UC to all members of the operational team?

Answer 18

Yes.

Question 19

What is the operational phase of an undercover operation?

Answer 19

Using the informant to introduce the UC, establishing the relationship through a chance encounter, luring, or a direct approach.

Question 20

What is a chance encounter?

Answer 20

An apparent chance encounter between the UC and the suspect should be a well planned maneuver. Should appear as a natural event to the suspect.

Question 21

What is the luring method?

Answer 21

The UC arouses the interest of the suspect to such an extent that the suspect approaches the UC.

Example: Establishing an undercover fencing operation in which the UC purchase stolen merchandise from suspects who have received word of the agents’ activities.

Question 22

What is the direct approach method?

Answer 22

LEAST desirable type of approach.
Requires the UC to boldly approach the suspect, make him aware of the UC’s knowledge of the illegal activity, and then present the UC’s desire to engage in criminal activity with the suspect and/or their organization.

Question 23

What should a well prepared UC anticipate?

Answer 23

Should prepare to be accused of being a officer and have a contingency and be willing to respond using a variety of methods. including making counter accusations.

Question 24

What does a UC cover team do?

Answer 24

Watches and protects UC during meetings with the subject. Safety of UC must always be paramount.

Question 25

What is the most important quality of an effective UC?

Answer 25

The willingness to accept the role.

Question 26

What does a UC need to be a successful UC?

Answer 26

A great deal of Self Confidence

Question 27

What kind of personality should a UC possess?

Answer 27

A calm, affable, and enduring personality

Question 28

What is key to a UC survival?

Answer 28

Adaptability