ABSTRACT
A key source of admissible evidence in court cases dealing with espionage is a reliable confession by the suspect. Defectors and other informers often furnish evidence of espionage. Despite these numerous sources of evidence, problems often exist in obtaining sufficient admissible material to bring a prosecution in espionage cases. Another problem is that evidence may be circumstantial only, without any direct proof being discovered of, say, espionage equipment in the suspect's possession or his/her contact with a foreign agent for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the State. Canada experienced in 1988 public recognition of its most serious espionage cases since Gouzenko's defection in the 1940-s. In 1984 the Federal Bureau of Investigation experienced for the first time the arrest of one of its officials in connection with alleged espionage offences. Richard Miller, a counter-espionage agent having twenty years' service with the Bureau, was charged with conspiring to spy for the Soviet Union.
