Juvenile informers : Is it appropriate to use children as Covert Human Intelligence Sources?

Gillespie, Alisdair (2020) Juvenile informers : Is it appropriate to use children as Covert Human Intelligence Sources? The Cambridge Law Journal, 79 (3). 459 - 489. ISSN 0008-1973

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Abstract

Recently, attention has been given to the question as to whether children should be used as covert human intelligence sources (CHIS), aka informers. Being a CHIS is a risky endeavour, particularly when the person is deployed against serious crime, for example, gang violence. Questions arise over the propriety of using adolescents as CHIS, and whether the regulation of covert sources serves to minimise the risk to them. This article considers the regulatory environment. It concludes that the use of juveniles as CHIS can be justified, but that additional safeguards must be put in place to ensure their safety.