The Effects of using confidential informants in Investigating and Suppressing Narcotic Crimes in Thailand

Abstract

The objectives of the study were 1) studying the role of confidential informants in the investigation and suppression of narcotic crimes in Thailand 2) studying the relationship between the investigators and the confidential informants 3) analyzing the effects arising from using confidential informants in the investigation and suppression of drug crimes in Thailand. The research had used the qualitative research method and in-depth interview by using information from the target group totaling 27 people. 

The results suggest that firstly, the essential role of the confidential informants in narcotic crimes were. informing the news. infiltrating. and luring. the drug dealer into selling narcotics. Because the confidential informants are in the narcotic society or narcotic environment, it is easy for them to create the trust for the drug offenders  to  know their information in the short term. However, the important role of the confidential informants partly depends on the perspective of each officer, which is subjective, including positive , negative and neutral perspectives. Secondly, the relationships between officers and confidential informants are opposite. From the study, it was found that the relationship styles could change or develop over time as these three styles: the master and servant style, the co-worker style, and the siblings style. Finally, the effects of using confidential informants in narcotic crimes . In the study, the researcher could classify the effects into 6 aspects: 1. The effect on the confidential informants 2. The effect on officer 3. The effect on society 4. The effect on the law 5. Ethical effect 6.  Judicial process effect.

The policy  recommendation

For the reason that confidential informants are in the vicious circle then it is possible for them to repeat the offense. Moreover, from the characteristics of being a confidential job. Transparency audits are difficult to do. As the mentioned reasons, they affect society and the criminal justice process in many aspects. The Narcotics Criminal Procedure Act B.E. 2550, Chapter 1 on Investigation should be amended by specifying the investigation using the  confidential informants  The Narcotics Criminal Procedure Act B.E. 2550, Chapter 1 on Investigation should be amended by specifying the investigation using the  confidential informants  By comparative studies such as Rachel's Law and a model policy on the use of spy (The Model Policy on Confidential Informants) of International Association of Chief of Police (IACP) Develop a criminal justice system for all parties to adhere to the principle of searching for truth in content. and create better regulatory measures

Keywords: confidential informant; investigation; suppression; narcotics crime