List of intelligence gathering disciplines

This is a list of intelligence gathering disciplines.

HUMINT

Human intelligence (HUMINT) are gathered from a person in the location in question. Sources can include the following:

Advisors or foreign internal defense (FID) personnel working with host nation (HN) forces or populations
Diplomatic reporting by accredited diplomats (e.g. military attachés)
Espionage clandestine reporting, access agents, couriers, cutouts
Military attachés
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
Prisoners of war (POWs) or detainees
Refugees
Routine patrolling (military police, patrols, etc.)
Traveler debriefing^{[broken anchor]} (e.g. CIA Domestic Contact Service)

MI6 is often thought to use human intelligence to operate in different countries or Britain itself to protect the country from global affairs. However, this is usually confused with their brother agency MI5, which focuses on the security of Britain.^{[citation needed]}^[1]

FININT

Financial intelligence (FININT) are gathered from analysis of monetary transactions.

GEOINT

Geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) are gathered from satellite and aerial photography, or mapping/terrain data.

Imagery intelligence (IMINT) – gathered from satellite and aerial photography

MASINT

Measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) are gathered from an array of signatures (distinctive characteristics) of fixed or dynamic target sources. According to the Air Force Institute of Technology's Center for MASINT Studies and Research, MASINT is split into six major disciplines: electro-optical, nuclear, radar, geophysical, materials, and radiofrequency.^[2]

OSINT

Open-source intelligence (OSINT) are gathered from open sources. OSINT can be further segmented by the source type: Internet/General, Scientific/Technical, and various HUMINT specialties, e.g. trade shows, association meetings, and interviews.

SIGINT

Signals intelligence (SIGINT) are gathered from interception of signals.

Communications intelligence (COMINT)
Electronic intelligence (ELINT) – gathered from electronic signals that do not contain speech or text (which are considered COMINT)
- Foreign instrumentation signals intelligence (FISINT) – entails the collection and analysis of telemetry data from a missile or sometimes from aircraft tests; formerly known as telemetry intelligence or TELINT

TECHINT

Technical intelligence (TECHINT) are gathered from analysis of weapons and equipment used by the armed forces of foreign nations, or environmental conditions.

Medical intelligence (MEDINT) – gathered from analysis of medical records and/or actual physiological examinations to determine health and/or particular ailments and allergic conditions for consideration

References

^ Quinlan, Kevin. The Secret War between the Wars: MI5 in the 1920s and 1930s. Boydell & Brewer Ltd.
^ Center for MASINT Studies and Research. "Center for MASINT Studies and Research". Air Force Institute of Technology. Archived from the original on 2007-07-07. Retrieved 3 October 2007.

[1] Quinlan, Kevin. The Secret War between the Wars: MI5 in the 1920s and 1930s. Boydell & Brewer Ltd.

[CSMR-2] Center for MASINT Studies and Research. "Center for MASINT Studies and Research". Air Force Institute of Technology. Archived from the original on 2007-07-07. Retrieved 3 October 2007.

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