Sources of Information

Module 7:
2
Collection
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
► Describe the different sources of information and enhance
information collection
► Describe the importance of informant handling and management
to enhance the intelligence network in support of the collection
effort
► Apply the different method of collection of information to develop
intelligence capability
► Develop effective and efficient informants
► Discover the importance of the subject with regards to Values,
Professionalism, Administration, Governance and Leadership
 Topics
► Collection
► Intelligence Collection Plans
► Collection Disciplines
► Ethical Issues in Collection

Module 7: Collection 4
 The Collection Stage
► Directed at gathering raw information to fill intelligence gaps related to the requirements
► Organized by an intelligence collection plan

Module 7: Collection 5
 Intelligence Collection Plan
► What sources of information might fill the gaps?
► Who will get this information?
► By when is the information needed?

Module 7: Collection 6
 Why Construct a Collection Plan?
► Budget issues
► Too much information
► Difficulty finding the relevant information
► Competition among collection priorities

Module 7: Collection 7
 Constructing a Collection Plan
1. Review the requirements
2. Specify the information needed to fill the conceptual model
3. Assess current holdings of information for relevance to the requirements

Module 7: Collection 8
 Constructing a Collection Plan (cont'd)
4. Identify areas where more information is needed
5. Document needed information in the collection plan
6. Identify the person/group responsible for collection and a due date

Module 7: Collection 9
 Intelligence Collection Plan Example
INTELLIGENCE COLLECTION PLAN EXAMPLE
Point of
Source (s) Method Date Due Date Received Format Comments
Contact

I. Information Category

A. Indicator

B. Indicator

C. Indicator

D. Indicator

E. Indicator

Module 7: Collection 10
 Updating the Collection Plan
► Assess progress of collection effort
► What items have been collected?
► What items are still required?
► Re-task assets to unsatisfied information needs

Module 7: Collection 11
 Collection Disciplines
► Imagery Intelligence
► Signals Intelligence
► Measurement and Signatures Intelligence
► Human Intelligence
► Open Source Intelligence

Module 7: Collection 12
Imagery Intelligence

► Includes both overhead and ground

imagery

13

Module 7: Collection
 Types of Imagery Intelligence
► Visible Light (Film or Digital)
► Electro-Optical
► Multi-spectral
► Infrared
► Radar
Infrared

Module 7: Collection 14
Radar
Source: NASA
Free or Commercial Imagery Sources

► Google Earth and Google

Maps
► Digital Globe
► TerraServer
► GeoEye

Source: Google Earth

Module 7: Collection 15
 Discussion Questions
1. What are some of the advantages of imagery intelligence?
2. What are some of the disadvantages of imagery intelligence?

Module 7: Collection 16
Signals Intelligence

► Includes information derived from

intercepted communications and
signals

17

Module 7: Collection
 Examples of Signals Intelligence
► Streaming Internet
► Voice-Over-Internet Provider (VoIP)
► Chat rooms
► Radio signals
► E-mail

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Module 7: Collection
Examples of Signals Intelligence (cont’d)

► Text messages
► Instant messaging
► Satellite interceptions
► Phone conversations
► Digital signals made by technological devices

Module 7: Collection 19
 Discussion Questions
1. What are some of the advantages of signals intelligence?
2. What are some of the disadvantages of signals intelligence?

Module 7: Collection 20
Measurement and Signatures Intelligence

► Analyzed technical information that results in investigative information that

detects, tracks, identifies, or describes the distinctive characteristics of
target sources

Module 7: Collection 21
 Discussion Questions
1. What are some of the advantages of measurements and signatures intelligence?
2. What are some of the disadvantages of measurements and signatures intelligence?

Module 7: Collection 22
 Human Intelligence
► Information obtained from individuals who know or have access to information that has implications for
law enforcement interests

Module 7: Collection 23
Types of Human Sources
► Officers
► Informants
► Observers

Module 7: Collection 24
Human Source Acquisition Cycle

Managing
Spotting Assessing Recruiting Handling Terminating
Information

Module 7: Collection 25
Sources of Human Intelligence

► Crime reports
► Arrest reports
► Field interview reports
► Sex offender registration records
► Traffic citations
► Booking reports
► Criminal history

Module 7: Collection 26
Sources of Human Intelligence (cont’d)

► Dispatch records
► Investigation reports
► Crime scene and evidence reports
► Property records
► Victim/witness interviews
► Offender interrogations

Module 7: Collection 27
 Sources of Human Intelligence (cont’d)
► Other law enforcement agencies
► Other criminal justice agencies
► Other governmental licensing or registering agencies
► International law enforcement agencies

Module 7: Collection 28
 Discussion Questions
1. What are some of the advantages of human intelligence?
2. What are some of the disadvantages of human intelligence?

Module 7: Collection 29
 Open Source Intelligence
► Any type of lawfully and ethically obtainable information that describes persons, locations, groups,
events, or trends that is gathered from publicly available sources

30

Module 7: Collection
Examples of Open Source Intelligence

► All types of media

► Publicly available data bases
► Open discussions, whether in forums, classes, presentations, online discussion
on bulletin boards, blogs, chat rooms, or general conversations

Module 7: Collection 31
Examples of Open Source Intelligence
(cont’d)
► Databases of people, places, and events
► Government reports and documents
► Scientific research reports
► Statistical databases
► Commercial vendors of information
► Websites

Module 7: Collection 32
 Value of Open Source Intelligence
► Some decision makers mistake secrecy for intelligence and assume that information covertly acquired is
superior to that obtained openly
► Open sources can often equal or surpass classified or law enforcement-sensitive information

Module 7: Collection 33
 Discussion Questions
1. What are some of the advantages of open source intelligence?
2. What are some of the disadvantages of open source intelligence?

Module 7: Collection 34
 Ethics in Collection
► Focus intelligence collection plans on the requirements
► Respect legal and human rights
► Ensure that all information collection is for official law enforcement purposes

Module 7: Collection 35
Ethical Collection

Person or group is OR Person or group

believed to be
is believed to be
involved in criminal
a threat to
activity now or in
public safety
the near future

AND
Law enforcement agency follows all
departmental, legal, and human rights policies
and procedures governing collection
Module 7: Collection 36
 Unethical Collection
► Collection is unethical when person or group is targeted because of:
► Characteristics such as gender, sexual orientation, political beliefs, religion, race, or ethnicity
► Support for an unpopular cause

Module 7: Collection 37
 Unethical Collection (cont’d)
► Collection is unethical when:
► Person or group is not suspected of being involved
in criminal activity or does not pose a threat to
the community
► Information is collected in violation of agency, legal, and human rights policies and procedures

Module 7: Collection 38
 Discussion Questions
1. What laws govern the ethical collection of information in your country?
2. What are your agency’s policies on ethical collection?

Module 7: Collection 39
Module Summary
Requirements

Dissemination Direction & Planning

The Intelligence
Feedback Process Feedback

Analysis &
Collection
Production

Feedback

Processing,
Organizing, &
Evaluating

Module 7: Collection 40
End of Presentation