What source of information is NOT typically used for establishing probable cause?

Probable cause is a legal standard that law enforcement officers must meet to make an arrest or conduct a search. It requires more than just a hunch or gut feeling; it must be based on factual evidence or reliable sources.

The reason the intuition of the officer is not typically considered a valid source for establishing probable cause is that intuition lacks the necessary objective support that the law requires. While officers may have instincts developed through experience, they cannot rely solely on intuition when making critical decisions. Probable cause must rely on evidence that can be observed, corroborated, or verified, such as information from citizen informants, personal observations by the officer, or reports from other law enforcement agencies. These other sources provide tangible and objective information that can be scrutinized in a legal context, making them essential for establishing probable cause. In contrast, intuition is subjective and not something that can be justified in court as a basis for taking action.