Form Initial Suitabilit Initial Suitabilit ATF Form 3252.4.

OMB Number 1140-xxxx (xx-xx-xxxx)

U.S. Department of Justice
Bureau of Alcohol,Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Initial Suitability Request

Instructions: The ATF special agent (SA) or ATF task force officer (TFO) who will serve as the handler for a potential confidential informant (CI) must
complete this form. All fields must be typed and completed in full. Handwritten forms are not acceptable. If additional space is needed, continue on a
separate sheet. Before performing as a CI, the individual must be approved by the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) or his/her designee, and in some
instances, by the CI Review Committee (CIRC) or Department of Justice. Sections I. through IX. pertain solely to the individual who will perform as a
CI, if approved. Section X. pertains to the CI handler. Section XI. pertains to the review and decision regarding this request by agency officials. Create a
CI record in the Confidential Informant Master Registry and Reporting System (CIMRRS) to generate the required CI number.
CI Number:

Date:

I. Personal and Biographical Information
Instructions: Provide the legal name of the individual and all personal and biographical information. Verify the individual’s identity by viewing an
original, valid driver’s license; an original birth certificate and a valid photo identification card; original U.S. passport; or, if the individual was not born
in the United States, the individual’s original immigration documentation. If a driver’s license cannot be verified through a state database, the individual
must also present an original birth certificate.
1. Last Name:

2. First Name:

6. Social Security Number (SSN):

7. U.S. Citizen:

9. Birth State (if applicable):

10. Birth City:

12. Sex:

14. Height (feet):

13. Race:

4. Suffix:

8. Birth Country:

11. Country(ies) of Citizenship:

15. Height (inches): 16. Weight (lbs.):

17. Hair Color: 18. Eye Color:

20. Scars/Marks/Tattoos:

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19. Aliases (Names, Dates of Birth, SSNs, etc.):

3. Middle Name:

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Full
Legal
Name
5. Date of Birth:

Select the Method Used to Verify the Individual’s Identity:

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21. Valid Driver’s License (DL)

Issuing State:

23. Naturalization Certificate and Photo Identification Card

24. Birth Certificate and Photo Identification Card

DL Number:

22. U.S. Passport

Passport Number:

Certificate Number:

Type of Identification Card:

State Issuing Birth Certificate:

Type of Identification Card:

II. Immigration Information
Instructions: If the individual is NOT a U.S. citizen, provide his/her immigration information. The Department of Homeland Security must approve in
writing the use of any alien who entered the U.S. without authorization before he/she may serve as a CI.
The individual is a U.S. citizen. Skip section II.
25. Immigration Status:

26. Alien Number (if applicable):

27. Immigration Documentation:

28. Sponsoring Agency:

29. Approval Date:

30. Expiration Date:

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III. Residential, Employment, and Educational Information
Instructions: Provide the individual’s current physical residential address, telephone, employment, and educational information. Identify the individual’s
pertinent skills and qualities, if applicable (e.g., fluent in the Russian language, motorcycle mechanic, former straw purchaser).

36. Mobile Telephone Number:

33. City:

32. Address (Line 2):

31. Residential Physical Address (Line 1):

37. Home Telephone Number:

39. Unemployed: 40. Name of Employer:

43. Employer Physical Address (Line 1):

34. State:

38. Other Telephone Number:

42. Duration (Years/Months):

41. Occupation:

45. City:

44. Address (Line 2):

48. Supervisor’s Name:

35. Zip Code:

46. State:

47. Zip Code:

49. Supervisor’s Telephone Number: 50. Source(s) of Income:

53. Skills and Qualities:

51. Highest Level of Education: 52. Name of School:

IV. Criminal History and Conduct Information

54. FBI Universal Control Number:

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Instructions: Provide information regarding the individual’s criminal history and personal conduct. Provide the individual’s identifying criminal history
numbers, if applicable.
55. State Criminal Number(s):

56. City/County Number(s):

57. Other Criminal Number:

58. If more space is required, identify additional criminal history number(s) here. If “Other Number” used, explain.

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59. Past Activities: Identify any past criminal or criminally associated activity(ies).

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60. Criminal History: Provide a detailed synopsis of the entire criminal history (including, but not limited to, date of arrest, reason for arrest, arresting
law enforcement agency, and disposition of arrest). Do NOT state “See attached criminal history.” If more space is required, attach an additional page.

61. Parole/Probation Status:

62. Indicate if use of the individual would violate the terms and conditions of
probation, parole, or supervised release, if applicable.

63. Indicate whether the parole or probation officer approved use of the
individual. Include the name of the officer and date of approval or
denial; acquire this decision in writing directly from the parole or
probation officer.

64. Reputation and Associates: Provide any information regarding the individual’s criminal reputation and known associates.

65. Substance Abuse/Misuse: Identify any past or present misuse of a controlled substance(s) (including prescription medication).

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ATF Form 3252. 4
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V. Previously Furnished Information
Instructions: Provide detailed information regarding the individual’s current and/or past performance as a CI.
66. Other Agency(ies): Identify any other agency to which the individual is currently supplying information. Provide the name of the other agency’s CI
handler and how long the individual has worked with the agency.

67. Prior Agency(ies): Identify any other agency to which the individual previously supplied information. Include the time period during which
information was provided, the name of the other agency’s CI handler (if known), and advise why the relationship ended (e.g., terminated for cause).

68. Prior ATF CI: If the individual previously provided information (as a CI or otherwise), provide details. Include the time period during which
information was provided, the name of the CI handler, and advise why the relationship with ATF ended (e.g., moved out of area).

69. Law Enforcement Reference: For each of the above, provide the name, title, and agency of the law enforcement official(s) contacted regarding the
individual’s reliability.

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70. Reliability and Truthfulness: Describe the reliability and truthfulness of the information previously provided. Include the general timeframe in which
the information was provided and the value of information furnished.

71. Testify: Describe the individual’s willingness to testify in open court.

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72. Previous Witness: Provide the individual’s prior known record as a witness in a criminal proceeding.

VI. Suitability

Instructions: Provide detailed and thorough information regarding the individual’s suitability to perform as a CI.
73. Nature of the Information: Identify the nature of the information or assistance to be supplied and the nature and importance of the information to a
present or potential investigation. Include whether the information can be corroborated.

74. Motivation: Provide the individual’s motivation in providing information or assistance. Include any consideration sought from the Government in
return for assistance.

75. Corroboration: Provide the extent to which the individual’s information or assistance can be/has been corroborated.

76. False Information: Identify any indication of the individual furnishing false information.

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ATF Form 3252. 4
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77. Nature of the Relationship: Identify the nature of the relationship between the individual and the subject or target of an existing or potential investigation
or prosecution; including, but not limited to, a current or former spousal relationship or other family tie and any current or former employment or financial
relationship.

78. Risk to Investigation or Prosecution: Provide the risk that the individual may adversely affect an investigation or potential prosecution.

79. Subject or Target: Advise if the individual is reasonably believed to be a subject or target of a pending investigation, or is under arrest, or has been
charged in a pending prosecution.

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80. Mental or Emotional: Identify any indication of the individual’s mental or emotional instability or unreliability.

81. Threat to Public: Advise if the individual poses a criminal threat or danger to the public.

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82. Financial Arrangements: Identify any financial arrangements given the individual by ATF, any other law enforcement agency (if available and known
to ATF), a Federal prosecuting office, or any other State or local prosecuting office (if available to ATF), in return for providing information or
assistance to any Federal, State, or local agency. In the unlikely event promises have been made to the individual, describe them.

D

83. Judicial Considerations: Identify any arrangements made between a Federal prosecuting office, a State or local prosecuting office, or any law
enforcement agency (if available and known to ATF) in return for providing information or assistance to any Federal, State, or local agency. If no
arrangements have been made, indicate so. In the unlikely event promises have been made to the individual, describe them.

84. Flight Risk: Advise if the individual poses a flight risk.

85. Relocated Witness: Advise if the individual is a relocated witness in the Witness Security Program (WITSEC) or if relocation or application to
WITSEC is anticipated.

86. Relatives: Identify any relatives that are employed by a law enforcement agency. Provide the name of the individual(s), the relationship, and the law
enforcement agency.

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ATF Form 3252. 4
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87. Special Category: Select all applicable special categories for the individual. Those special categories with an asterik (*) will require
Headquarter’s coordination for a higher level (e.g., CIRC, DOJ) review and determination.
Employee of financial institution

Active military member (including reserves)

Federal Explosives Licensee (current or prior)*

Public official

Federal Firearms Licensee (current or prior)*

School employee

High-level leader of criminal organization*

Union official

State/local prisoner, probationer, parolee, detainee, or supervised releasee

Media representative or affiliate*

Alien (i.e., non-U.S. citizen, illegally present in the U.S.)

Under obligation of legal privilege or confidentiality (i.e., attorney,
priest)*

Foreign National (i.e., non-U.S. citizen, legally present in the U.S.)

Federal probationer or supervised releasee

International (i.e., non-U.S. citizen living in home country or abroad)

Former WITSEC participant*

Other:

Federal prisoner*

88. Special Category Explanation: If any of the above special categories apply, provide a detailed description/explanation.

VII. Additional Remarks

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Instructions: Provide any additional information believed to be relevant (favorable or unfavorable) regarding the individual’s suitability to perform as a CI.
89. Remarks:

VIII. Indices Checks

Instructions: At a minimum, conduct the listed criminal history checks on the individual. Indicate if the individual has a record or no record. Identify
any additional check(s) conducted. Use an additional sheet of paper, if necessary. Indices checks must be completed on the individual’s legal name and
aliases (e.g., names, dates of birth, SSNs). Attach the results of the indices checks regardless of whether the individual had a record.
System/Check
NCIC - QR

Other:
Other:

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FLS

NLETS - IQ State:

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TECS

Record/No Record

NLETS - IQ State:

NCIC - QH
NCIC - QW

System/Check

Record/No Record

NLETS - IQ State:
NLETS - FQ State:
NLETS - FQ State:
NLETS - DQ
NLETS - KQ

IX. Attachments

Instructions: The CI handler must initial to indicate the documents are included.
Title
ATF Form 3252.2, Informant Agreement or ATF Form 3252.3, Informant Agreement (Spanish Version)
Current color photographs (front and side views)

Initial

Fingerprint Cards FD-258 - Three complete sets
State and federal (NCIC) criminal history check results
State and federal (NCIC) warrant check results
State (NLETS) criminal history check results
State Driver’s License check results
Treasury Enforcement Communications System (TECS) check results
Federal Licensing System check results
Parole or probation officer approval or denial, if applicable
Other/miscellaneous:
Other/miscellaneous:
Other/miscellaneous:

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ATF Form 3252. 4
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X. Handler Information
Instructions: Provide information regarding the CI handler. The CI handler must electronically sign and date the request, then start the Initial Suitability
Request in CIMRRS.
Name
of
Handler

Last Name:

Field Division:

First Name:

Title (SA or TFO):

Field Office:

Telephone Number:

The undersigned obtained this information directly from the individual for whom this request is being sought; indices checks completed on the individual’s
legal name and aliases; and law enforcement and/or legal references. The undersigned reviewed the content and meaning of ATF Form 3252.2, Informant
Agreement, with the individual in the presence of another law enforcement officer. The undersigned accepts responsibility for management and oversight of
the CI.
Electronic Signature and Date:

XI. Review and Decision
Management officials must complete their review and record their decision in CIMRRS. This section is only completed by management officials in an
emergency situation where CIMRRS is not immediately available.

RAC or GS Decision:

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Instructions: Provide information regarding the Resident Agent in Charge (RAC) or Group Supervisor (GS). The RAC or GS must approve or deny the
request. The RAC or GS must electronically sign and date, below, unless the decision is made and recorded electronically in CIMRRS.
Last Name:
First Name:
Title (RAC or GS):
Name
of
RAC or GS
Approve. The undersigned recommends approval of the individual and accepts responsibility for management and
oversight of the CI. Any subsequent RACs/GSs should note their approval in CIMRRS.
Deny. The initial suitability request for this individual is denied.
Electronic Signature and Date:

Approve. The initial request for this individual is approved. The undersigned and subsequent SACs/ASACs accepts
responsibility for management and oversight of the CI.

D

SAC or ASAC Decision:

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Instructions: Provide information regarding the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) (or his/her designee, i.e., Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC)).
The SAC or his/her designee must approve or deny the request. The SAC or his/her designee must electronically sign and date, below, unless the decision
is made and recorded electronically in CIMRRS. Any subsequent SAC or his/her designee should note their approval in CIMRRS.
Last Name:
First Name:
Title (SAC or ASAC):
Name
of
SAC or ASAC

Approval Recommended. The individual cannot be utilitzed until a higher level (e.g., CIRC, DOJ) review and
determination is made.
Deny. The initial suitability request for this individual is denied.

Electronic Signature and Date:

Privacy Act Notice
1. Authority: The Attorney General’s Guidelines Regarding the Use of Confidential Informants, dated May 30, 2002, authorizes the collection of this
information.
2. Purpose: ATF will use this information to determine the eligibility and suitability of the individual to become a confidential informant.
3. Routine Uses: The information will be used by ATF personnel for the purposes stated above. The information becomes a part of the confidential
informant record and is included in Criminal Investigation Report System-Justice/ATF-003 (68 FR 3553-5) and is subject to all of the published routine
uses of that system of records. Specifically, ATF may disclose the information with other law enforcement or other government agencies, as necessary for
criminal investigation and/or litigation purposes.
4. Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary; however, failure to furnish the requested information will prevent the formation of a confidential
informant relationship with the ATF.

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ATF Form 3252. 4
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