# Confidential Human Source **Aliases:** CHS **Entity class:** FBI human-source designation ## Definition A **Confidential Human Source (CHS)** is a person operated under FBI source guidelines to provide information or assistance in FBI investigative programs or other authorized information-collection activities. A CHS is not an FBI employee and may receive money or other authorized consideration. The 2020 Attorney General guidelines apply to CHSs operated by FBI agents or FBI-assigned [[wiki/Task Force Officer|task-force officers]]. They require authorization, documentation, validation, instructions, risk assessment, and controls on otherwise illegal activity. ## Relationships - **discipline:** [[wiki/HUMINT|HUMINT]]. - **broader category:** [[wiki/Nonemployee Operational Participant|Nonemployee Operational Participant]]. - **related but distinct:** [[wiki/Confidential Informant|Confidential Informant]], [[wiki/Cooperating Defendant or Witness|Cooperating Defendant or Witness]], and [[wiki/Undercover Employee|Undercover Employee]]. - **institution:** [[wiki/Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]]. ## Sources / Provenance - [DOJ — Attorney General's Guidelines Regarding the Use of FBI Confidential Human Sources, 2020](https://www.justice.gov/usdoj-media/oip/media/1254421/dl?inline=) - [DOJ OIG — Review of FBI CHSs before January 6, December 2024](https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/25-011.pdf)