Crime Scene Follow Up Investigations Practice Test

The correct answer, referring to individuals who provide law enforcement with information primarily for personal gain, is "informants." Informants are typically individuals who have knowledge regarding criminal activity and choose to share that information with the police, often in exchange for benefits such as payment, leniency in their own legal situations, or protection.

Confidential sources, while also providing information to law enforcement, may not necessarily be motivated by personal gain in the same way informants are. Their motivations can vary, and they might share information without expecting anything in return, thus they do not fit the definition as precisely as informants do.

Whistleblowers are individuals who disclose information about wrongdoing or illegal activities within an organization, often for the purpose of bringing attention to ethical or legal violations, rather than seeking personal benefits.

Witnesses are persons who observe an event, typically a crime, and provide testimony about what they saw. Their involvement generally centers around sharing factual information rather than acting out of self-interest for personal benefits, making them distinct from informants.

Understanding these definitions highlights the specific role and motivation behind informants, distinguishing them from other sources of information in law enforcement contexts.