Which factor should be considered when deciding if a report is unfounded?

• A. The complainant's prior criminal history.
• B. The location of the incident only.
• C. The plausibility of the incident and any corroborating evidence.
• D. The weather on the day of the report.

Answer: (C)

When deciding if a report is unfounded, focus on how plausible the incident is and whether there is corroborating evidence beyond the complainant’s account. This approach keeps credibility judgments grounded in the narrative’s coherence and in independent facts such as witness statements, surveillance footage, physical evidence, or official records. Relying on a complainant’s past criminal history, the location alone, or weather conditions does not reliably determine whether an incident occurred, and these factors can introduce bias. A plausible story with solid corroboration supports credibility, while a story that strains plausibility or lacks independent support is more likely to be unfounded.