Source Handler telephone interactions with covert human intelligence sources: An exploration of question types and intelligence yield

Nunan, Jordan; Stanier, Ian; Milne, Rebecca; Shawyer, Andrea; Walsh, David

doi:10.1002/acp.3726

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 51 publications

(164 reference statements)

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“…Rapport outperforms accusatorial approaches (Evans et al 2013) as it increases the information gained (Nunan et al 2020b), enhances cooperation and increases trust (Alison and Alison 2017). Remote communication, however, does not mean intelligence cannot be elicited (Nunan et al 2020c), but environmental factors may benefit elicitation, with the size of a room influencing a person's tendency to open up (Okken et al 2013).…”

Section: Covid 19: the Impact On Recruitment And Elicitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of COVID-19 on UK informant use and management

Stanier

Nunan

2021

Policing and Society

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The effect of COVID-19 on informant use and management, during the peak of the imposed Government lockdown measures was felt across English and Welsh police Dedicated Source Units. Within these restrictions, staff managing informants had to develop and then implement new strategies that delivered safe, yet effective, informant handling capacity and capability. Based on a survey of 205 respondents directly involved in the handling, control or authorisation of informants, this article examined their perceptions of the effect of COVID-19 in this highly specialised policing activity. The research findings revealed five broad themes associated with the impact of COVID-19 on informant management practices: (i) health protection; (ii) governance; (iii) innovation and technology; (iv) recruitment, communication and informant development and (v) tradecraft and intelligence. The article explored the organisational responses to initiating and maintaining informant-handler relationships and ensuring the flow of intelligence within this unique operational environment. Participants perceived that handler-informant relationships were strengthened, and also indications of a willingness to adapt policy and procedure associated with the informant management cycle: targeting, initial recruitment contact, assessment and evaluation, tasking and deployment and payment of informant rewards. It also highlighted a wider consensus that there was further scope for enhancing resilience to similar future pandemics including the use of enabling technology and responsive policy adaptation.

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Section: Covid 19: the Impact On Recruitment And Elicitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of COVID-19 on UK informant use and management

Stanier

Nunan

2021

Policing and Society

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Inside the shadows: a survey of UK human source intelligence (HUMINT) practitioners, examining their considerations when handling a covert human intelligence source (CHIS)

Moffett

Oxburgh

Dresser

et al. 2021

Psychiatry, Psychology and Law

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Law enforcement agencies in the UK are embracing evidence-based policing and recognise the importance of human source intelligence (HUMINT), in the decision-making process. A review of the literature identified six categories likely to impact the handling of a Covert Human Intelligence Source (CHIS), or an informant: (i) handler personality traits;(ii) informant motivation; (iii) rapport; (iv) gaining cooperation; (v) obtaining information, and; (vi) detecting deception. This study sought to identify which of these categories current HUMINT practitioners considered the most when planning and conducting a meeting with an informant. A bespoke online survey was designed and disseminated to 34 practitioners using purposive and snowball sampling. Directed Content Analysis and Thematic Content Analysis were conducted. Results indicate that practitioners appear most concerned with gaining co-operation (iv) and detecting deception (vi). Results also found an inter-connectivity between the six categories, with informant handlers often having to balance competing requirements. Implications for future research are discussed.

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The use of self-disclosure to build rapport with mock covert human intelligence sources (CHIS)

Marin

Gabbert

2022

Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism

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The use of covert human intelligence sources for the protection of national security is an important but under-researched area. In light of increased globalisation, and technological developments, examining covert intelligence gathering online may have operational relevance. This study examined the use of similarities in self-disclosure to develop rapport with mock covert human intelligence sources online. A sample of 66 participants were asked to assume the role of a CHIS, listen to an audio recording of a meeting of the criminal network they are part of, and strike a balance between being forthcoming to their handler while at the same time not revealing all information they possessed. They were then interviewed online by a mock handler who opened the conversation in one of three ways: self-disclosing information that highlighted similarities between herself and the CHIS, selfdisclosing information that highlighted dissimilarities, or control (no disclosure). Participants completed a follow-up rapport questionnaire based on their interaction with the handler. The study found that mock sources rated rapport higher in the similarities condition in comparison with other conditions; however, it did not translate into a significant difference in the intelligence reported. The findings of this research and its policy and practice implications are discussed.

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Source Handler telephone interactions with covert human intelligence sources: An exploration of question types and intelligence yield

Cited by 5 publications

References 51 publications

The impact of COVID-19 on UK informant use and management

The impact of COVID-19 on UK informant use and management

Inside the shadows: a survey of UK human source intelligence (HUMINT) practitioners, examining their considerations when handling a covert human intelligence source (CHIS)

The use of self-disclosure to build rapport with mock covert human intelligence sources (CHIS)

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