Collection
The IC uses many methods to collect information, including face-to-face meetings with human sources, technical and physical surveillance, satellite surveillance, interviews, searches, and liaison relationships. Information can be gathered through open, covert, and electronic means.All collection methods must be lawful and are subject to oversight by Congress and others. Information collected must be relevant, timely, and useful. At this stage, the information is often referred to as raw intelligence, because it hasn’t been thoroughly examined and evaluated yet.
There are six basic types of intelligence collection:
Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT)
Imagery and geospatial data produced through an integration of imagery, imagery intelligence, and geographic information.
Human-Source Intelligence (HUMINT)
Information collected from human sources, the oldest method for collecting information.
Imagery Intelligence (IMINT)
Representations of objects reproduced electronically or by optical means on film, electronic display devices, or other media.
Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT)
Scientific and technical intelligence information used to locate, identify, or describe distinctive characteristics of specific targets.
Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)
Publicly available information appearing in print or electronic form, including radio, television, newspapers, journals, the Internet, commercial databases, videos, graphics, and drawings.
Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)
The interception of signals, whether between people, between machines, or a combination of both.
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