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Diagnosing Distortion in Source Reporting - Powerpoint

This document discusses diagnosing distortion in human intelligence (HUMINT) source reporting by examining lessons from parallel fields like anthropology and journalism. It proposes separating the reliability of intelligence sources from the reliability of source reporting, which can be distorted at four stages: when intelligence is provided by the source, gathered by the collector, analyzed by analysts, and edited by editors. Distortion can occur unintentionally due to errors or intentionally through deception. The document recommends training, feedback, cross-examination of collectors, and more writing on operational theory and human surveillance to increase reliability awareness and reduce distortion in HUMINT reporting.

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Pat Noble
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499 views16 pages

Diagnosing Distortion in Source Reporting - Powerpoint

This document discusses diagnosing distortion in human intelligence (HUMINT) source reporting by examining lessons from parallel fields like anthropology and journalism. It proposes separating the reliability of intelligence sources from the reliability of source reporting, which can be distorted at four stages: when intelligence is provided by the source, gathered by the collector, analyzed by analysts, and edited by editors. Distortion can occur unintentionally due to errors or intentionally through deception. The document recommends training, feedback, cross-examination of collectors, and more writing on operational theory and human surveillance to increase reliability awareness and reduce distortion in HUMINT reporting.

Uploaded by

Pat Noble
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Diagnosing Distortion In Source

Reporting
Lessons For HUMINT Reliability
From Other Fields
Concept Development
• Initial concept: Reliability scale
– Devise scale for analytic products
• Obstacle: Unrefined concept
– Whose reliability is measured?
– What are the factors of reliability?
• Final concept: Separate and focus
– Separate asset vetting
– Focus on internal USIC process
Purpose and Rationale
• Examine distortion in source Source Collector
reporting caused by the
HUMINT process
• Take an initial step towards
development of a workable
reliability scale
Editor Analyst
• Inject the HUMINT process
with applicable experiences
from parallel fields
Literature Review
• No writings address the thesis topic directly
• Most focus on spies and espionage
• Specialists tend to overindulge in
USIC/policymaker relations
• Noteworthy writings include:
– Kessler’s Spy vs Spy (1988)
– Goffman’s Presentation of Self in Everyday Life (1959)
Methodology
• Define key players in HUMINT
Process
• Examine how they can introduce
distortion to source reporting
• Bolster analytic rigor by injecting
writings from fields with similar
processes
HUMINT Process – What?
Distortion (unintentional or purposeful) can take
place at four stages in the HUMINT process:
– 1. When intelligence is provided
– 2. When it is gathered and reported
– 3. When reporting is analyzed
and threats are assessed
– 4. When the finished product is
edited and approved
Similar Fields • Anthropology
– Field researcher, report writer,
review board
• Journalism
– Reporter, writer, editor
• Criminal Justice
– Detective, lawyer, judge
HUMINT Process – Who?
These four stages involve the
following players:
– 1. Source provides intelligence
– 2. Collector gathers intelligence
and returns to file a report
– 3. Analyst studies the reporting
and reaches conclusions
– 4. Editor checks and approves
the finished product
The Source
• Deception (purposeful)
– Hostile direction
– Financial strain
– Revenge
– Thrill seeking
• Error (unintentional)
– Poor recollection
– Limited perspective
– Biased viewpoint
The Collector (nexus with source)

• Stress of circumstances
• Inadequate preparation
or background
• Poor interview techniques
The Collector (writing the report)
• Poor recollection of
meeting details
• Limited grasp of
collection’s significance
• Misrepresentation of
source statements
• Lack of a feedback
mechanism
The Analyst
• Aggregation and
generalization
• Poor preparation
• Stale intelligence
• Lack of access to source
• Limited perspective
The Editor

• Final bulwark
• Overtaxed
• Relies on quality drafts
• Doesn’t rock the boat
• May stretch data to suit
Conclusions
• Source reliability and source
reporting reliability ought to
be rated separately
• The research methodologies of
anthropologists, journalists,
and legal experts offer the
benefit of experience to
practitioners of the HUMINT
process
Recommendations
• Need for reliability awareness training
for intelligence consumers
• Feedback and follow-up between
collector and source on reporting
• Use mock court to cross-examine
collector on source reliability
• USIC should write more on human
surveillance and reconnaissance
• USIC should write more on operational
theory
Questions?

Prepared by Pat Noble


Thesis defense at Mercyhurst College
20 March 2009

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