EVALUATION RATINGS
The evaluation of reliability is shown by a letter and the evaluation of accuracy by a numeral as depicted in the
paragraphs to follow. Evaluation ratings are made at the lowest headquarters possible.
a. Reliability of source and agency is shown as follows:
A - Completely reliable
B - Usually reliable
C - Fairly reliable
D - Not usually reliable
E - Unreliable
F - Reliability cannot be judged
(1) An "A" evaluation of source is assigned under only the most unusual circumstances. For example,
this evaluation may be given when it is known that the source has long experience and extensive background with
the type of information reported. A rating of "B" indicates a source of known integrity. An "F" rating is assigned
when there is no adequate basis for estimating the reliability of the source.
(2) Agencies are ordinarily rated A, B, or C. However, when the source of an item and the collecting-
reporting agency are evaluated differently only the lower degree of reliability is indicated.
b. Accuracy of an item of information is indicated as follows:
1 - Confirmed by other sources
2 - Probably true
3 - Possibly true
4 - Doubtfully true
5 - Improbable
6 - Truth cannot be judged
(1) The statement that a report cannot be judged as to accuracy must always be preferred to an
inaccurate use of the rating "1" to "5". If there is no sound basis for a rating of "1" to "5", because of the complete
absence of other information on the same target, the rating "6" has to be given.
(2) It must be recognized that the scale "1" to "6" does not represent progressive degrees of accuracy.
The stress must be given to the literal rating represented by the numeric symbol.
c. Although both letters and numerals are used to indicate the evaluation of an item of information, they
are independent of each other. A completely reliable agency may report information obtained from a completely
reliable source which, on the basis of other information, is judged to be improbable. In such a case, the evaluation
of the information is A - 5. A source known to be unreliable may provide information that is confirmed by other
sources and is undoubted accuracy. In such a case, a report is evaluated E - 1. A report evaluated F - 6 may be
accurate and should not be arbitrarily discarded.
PANEL 1-6. Evaluation Ratings.
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