The use of undercover agents in investigations.
Translated title
Bruk av agenter i etterforskning.
Author
Mogstad, Andrine
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2026
Pages
78
Abstract
This master’s thesis examines the legal framework and practice governing the use of undercover agents in criminal investigations in Denmark and Norway. It asks where the lawful boundaries of agent operations lie and compares Denmark’s codified rules with Norway’s reliance on unwritten principles. Using a doctrinal legal method and focusing on the Administration of Justice Act §§ 754 a–c and Danish case law, the study situates both systems within the European Convention on Human Rights. The analysis identifies a lower limit (situations outside the regulation) and an upper limit (the prohibition on provocation, which prevents agents from expanding the scope or severity of offences). Both countries permit agents during ongoing offences and after completion, and distinguish between police and civilian agents, with civilian agents enjoying weaker legal protection. Danish courts have accepted long-term undercover operations of up to two years and treat breaches of the provocation prohibition as unlawful conduct; while such breaches could theoretically lead to liability, consequences are rare. The thesis concludes that clearer, more precise regulation is needed, particularly in Norway, to strengthen legal certainty, promote consistent case law, and better safeguard the rights of individuals affected by undercover operations.
Denne masterafhandling undersøger den retlige ramme og praksis for brugen af undercoveragenter i strafferetlige efterforskninger i Danmark og Norge. Afhandlingen spørger, hvor de lovlige grænser for agentvirksomhed går, og sammenligner de danske kodificerede regler med Norges afhængighed af uskrevne principper. Med en doktrinær juridisk metode analyseres retsplejeloven §§ 754 a–c og dansk retspraksis, og begge systemer sættes i relation til Den Europæiske Menneskerettighedskonvention. Analysen peger på en nedre grænse (situationer uden for reguleringen) og en øvre grænse (provokationsforbuddet, som hindrer agenter i at udvide omfanget eller grovheden af lovovertrædelser). Begge lande tillader brug af agenter under igangværende lovovertrædelser og efter, og skelner mellem politiagenter og civile agenter, hvor civile har svagere retlig beskyttelse. Danske domstole har accepteret langvarige undercoveroperationer på op til to år og anser overtrædelser af provokationsforbuddet som ulovlig agentadfærd; selv om sådanne overtrædelser teoretisk kan medføre ansvar, er konsekvenserne sjældne. Afhandlingen konkluderer, at mere præcise regler er nødvendige, især i Norge, for at styrke retssikkerheden, fremme mere ensartet retspraksis og bedre beskytte rettighederne for personer, der berøres af agentoperationer.
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