HUMINT
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
HUMINT, a syllabic abbreviation of the words HUMan INTelligence, is a category of intelligence gathering disciplines that encompasses all gathering of intelligence by means of interpersonal contact. NATO defines HUMINT as "A category of intelligence derived from information collected and provided by human sources."[1]
Most HUMINT activity does not involve clandestine or covert activities. The manner in which HUMINT operations are conducted is dictated by both official protocol and the nature of the source, who may be witting, unwitting, neutral, friendly or hostile. Examples of HUMINT sources include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Friendly forces (Military police, patrols, etc);
- Prisoners of War (POW) or detainees;
- Refugees;
- Civilians;
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
- Media personnel/organizations;
- Covert/clandestine agents; and
- "Walk-ins." A walk-in refers to someone who approaches a friendly agency and volunteers to provide information on his/her own freewill.
[edit] See also
- COMINT: Communications intelligence
- SIGINT: Signals intelligence
- ELINT: Electronic intelligence
- IMINT: Imagery intelligence
- GEOINT: Geospatial Intelligence
- STRATINT: Strategic intelligence
- FININT: Financial intelligence
- RUMINT: Rumour intelligence (a tongue in cheek designation used by government officials)
- Secret agent
- Double agent
- List of intelligence gathering disciplines
