A Guide to Intelligence Collection Methods

A Guide to Intelligence Collection Methods

The Intelligence Process

The process of creating reliable, accurate foreign intelligence is dynamic and never ending The intelligence process or cycle begins with questions -- the answers to which inevitably lead to more questions. So, essentially, the end of the cycle is the beginning of the next cycle

Through planning and direction by both collection and production managers, the intelligence process converts acquired information into intelligence and makes it available to policymakers and other consumers. One depiction of the intelligence process is shown here:

The intelligence process starts when consumers -- generally, policymakers or military commanders -- express a need for intelligence information to help them accomplish their missions. These needs are expressed as requirements levied on the intelligence agencies serving particular customers, or on joint organizations established at various levels to serve the customers' needs.

The intelligence agencies use the customers' needs in giving planning and direction to guide collection strategies and the production of appropriate intelligence products.

Collection

There are five basic intelligence information sources, or collection disciplines

1. Signals intelligence (SlGINT) includes information derived from intercepted communications, radar, and telemetry.

2. Imagery (IMINT) includes both overhead and ground imagery.

3. Measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) is technically derived intelligence data other than imagery and SIGINT. It employs a broad group of disciplines including nuclear, optical, radio frequency, acoustics, seismic, and materials sciences. Examples of MASINT might he the distinctive radar signatures of specific types of aircraft or the composition of air and water samples.

4. Human-source intelligence (HUMINT) involves clandestine and overt collection techniques to obtain information Some of the principal types of collection associated with HUMINT are:

Clandestine source acquisition of information (including photography, documents, and other material) of intelligence value. Overt data collection by civilian and military personnel assigned to US diplomatic and consular posts. Debriefing of foreign nationals and US citizens who have traveled abroad or have access to foreign information. During military operations, this would also include the interrogation or debriefing of prisoners of war or detainees. Official contacts with foreign governments, including liaison with their intelligence and security services.

5. Open-source information is publicly available information appearing in print or electronic form. It may be transmitted by radio, television, and newspapers, or it may be distributed through commercial databases, graphics, drawings, magazines, or books.

6. Geographic Intelligence is information about the geographic features of the area of interest. This can include information on the buildings, road systems, manufacturing plants, and water treatment facilities.

7. Open Source Intelligence is information collected using overt means. This can include information from Libraries, trade journals, News services, television.

It is important to understand that information from collection sources is information, not intelligence. Raw information is often incomplete or -- taken out of context or without understanding its origin and purpose -- possibly misleading. It can be subject to misinterpretation, or just plain wrong. Information becomes intelligence through processing, exploitation, and analysis.

Processing and Exploitation

A substantial portion of US intelligence resources is devoted to processing and exploitation -- the synthesis of raw data into a form usable by the intelligence analyst -- and to the secure telecommunications networks to carry these data. Interpreting imagery; decoding messages; translating foreign-language broadcasts; reducing telemetry to meaningful measures; preparing information for computer processing, storage and retrieval; placing human-source reports in a form and context to make them more comprehensible -- these are all processing and exploitation.

Analysis and Production

Intelligence analysts are generally assigned to a particular geographic or functional specialty. Analysts obtain information from all sources pertinent to their area of responsibility through the collection, processing and forwarding systems. Analysts may tap into these systems to obtain answers to specific questions or generate information they need.

Analysts absorb incoming information, evaluate it, test it against other information and their knowledge and expertise, produce an assessment of the current state of affairs within an assigned field or substantive area, and then forecast future trends or outcomes. The analyst also develops requirements for collection of new information.

Analysts almost never work alone, but instead operate within a system of peer review and oversight by more senior analysts.

During periods of international crisis or on occasions when intelligence support is critical to high-level negotiations, an interagency task force is often created under the auspices of the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) to address critical intelligence needs. The DCI will direct a particular agency to serve as executive agent for task force support and other agencies will contribute in line with their capabilities.

When an international crisis involves the US military, the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) establishes an Intelligence Task Force (ITF) dedicated to round-the- clock intelligence support of the operational and combatant commands involved. The intelligence components of the military services and the other interested intelligence agencies will contribute analysts and other experts to the ITF.

US Intelligence Agencies

NCIS-Naval Criminal Investigative Service - Naval Counter Intelligence

OSI- Office of Special Investigation - (Air Force) - Air Force Security and Counter Intelligence

AFMIC- Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Agency

AIA- Army Intelligence Agency

BATF- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

CIA- Central Intelligence Agency DIA- Defense Intelligence Agency

DEA- Drug Enforcement Agency

FBI- Federal Bureau of Investigation

National Counterintelligence Center (NCC)- Part of the FBI

National Ground Intelligence Center (NGIC)

National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA)

National Maritime Intelligence Center (NMIC)

NRO- National Reconnaissance Office

NSA- National Security Agency

Naval Intelligence Operations Group (NIOG)

Naval Intelligence Support Center (NISC)

Naval Security Group - Naval Signal Intelligence (Naval Arm of the NSA)

Office of Export Enforcement - Intelligence Division

Secret Service - Office of Protective Intelligence

State Department's Bureau of Intelligence & Research (INR)