Recent Book: The Role of the Informer: The Informer in Law Enforcement
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X6103400117 |
| Author | R.G. Fenwick |
| Date | 01 January 1961 |
| Published date | 01 January 1961 |
| Subject Matter | Recent Book |
magistrate-operated systems have certain advantages, coronership suits the
English way of justice, and need have no disadvantages in comparison with
medical examinership or state pathology so long as all are adequately trained
for their respective appointments.
This new book is a valuable addition to the Studies in Criminal Science which
have come from Cambridge in the last few years. The new overall title of Cam-
bridge Studies in Criminology might, indeed, have been preferable at the
start-
Havard has added much to the monographical tone of his study by countless
illustrative cases, incorporated into the text in a commendably succinct style,
always to the point; the text is well annotated, backed by case and law
reference-
and by a bibliography that will assuredly see this book on the reference shelves
of every English-speaking expert in forensic medicine or coronership. Do not be
misled into thinking this is a book on crime detection, for it is not.
It
is a study
in the law and practice of disposal of the
dead-a
very good study indeed.
KEITH
SIMPSON.
THE ROLE OF THE INFORMER
MALACHI
L.
HARNEY
and
JOHN
C.
CROSS:
The Informer in Law Enforcement.
Blackwell Scientific Publications. 36s.
FROM
EARLIEST
TIMES
the informer has played a prominent part in law enforce-
ment. Our jury system originated in compulsory disclosure to the authorities
of local misdeeds. Indeed it was not so long ago that legal recognition of the
Common Informer was abolished in certain minor infringements of the law.
Over the years few of the more famous criminal cases have not had the
shadowy figure of an informer somewhere in the background, playing his vital
part
in the investigation. The memoirs of successful investigators give little
recognition to his valuable efforts. The reasons may be that he has given no
evidence at the trial, he merely dropped hints as to where the evidence lay;
possibly it is thought he might in some way dim the professional brilliance of
the successful investigator; and finally, he is a curiously disliked object who
repels British instincts of fair play by his so-called treachery.
Little has been written authoritatively on the subject of informers in the
more practical sense.
It
seems very difficult for an experienced investigator to
marshal his thoughts and lay down a practice to be followed by others when
dealing with this class of individual.
It
is a delicate subject and requires such
athorough knowledge of human nature that the mature investigator often
feels only experience based on trial
and
error is the best form of tuition. Further-
more, the essence of using an informer is secrecy and the wise officer does
not endanger success by broadcasting his methods.
The joint authors of this interesting book are two very experienced law
enforcement officers in the U.S.A. who have endeavoured to fill the gap by
laying down certain basic principles to help the budding investigator. They
pass on accumulated experience covering a fairly wide field of police investiga-
tion. The five chapters endeavour to cover every aspect of the correct use of
informers. In view of the specialized nature of the authors' experience, a
number of the interesting cases cited deal with narcotics, fortunately not such
a great problem in this country. The chapter headings give some idea of the
value of this book from a practical angle: Chapter II covers
"Uses
for
Informers";
Chapter
III-"
Finding
Informers-How,
Why, and
Where";
Chapter
IY-"
How to handle
Informers".
Chapter Y, dealing with the legal
position of the informer in American law, is not so important to officers in
this country, but still a very useful guide.
Young police officers with inquiring minds who wish to make rapid progress
in the art of dealing with informants will find much to stimulate interest and
increase their professional efficiency.
For
it must always be remembered that
crime is concerned with human beings, and, although scientific aids are playing
an increasing part in modem criminal investigation, there is no yardstick to
the human mind, and the scientific aids have distinct limitations. The older
and more experienced reader will appreciate the orderly manner in which the
book
is set out and pay tribute to the successful handling of informants in the
70 January-February 1961
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