HUMINT
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HUMINT, short for HUMan INTelligence, is one of a series of intelligence gathering disciplines. NATO defines HUMINT as " A category of intelligence derived from information collected and provided by human sources." (AAP-6 (2004)- NATO GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND DEFINITIONS [1]).
Contrary to what most people think HUMINT, does not necessarily refer to people involved in clandestine/covert activities. While clandestine/covert agents are part of HUMINT, HUMINT in fact, refers to any information collected from a human source. The person(s) providing the information could be 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);
- 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.
See also
- COMINT: Communications intelligence
- SIGINT: Signals intelligence
- ELINT: Electronic intelligence
- IMINT: Imagery intelligence
- RUMINT: Rumour intelligence (a tongue in cheek designation used by government officials)
- Secret agent
- Double agent
- List of intelligence gathering disciplines
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