Types of Intelligence

Human Intelligence

Human Intelligence, or HUMINT for short, is the term utilized to describe any intelligence which is gathered by means of interpersonal contact, as opposed to the more technical intelligence gathering disciplines, which are detailed later in the article. Usually the Federation engages in only nonclandestine HUMINT, however in certain exceptional circumstances, highly trained operators usually deployed with Diplomatic Embassy based teams or from Starfleet Intelligence itself. It is exceptionally rare for a starship intelligence officer to conduct clandestine HUMINT.

HUMINT can be collated from Hostile, Neutral or Friendly sources regardless of their side and is used to gather a broad intelligence picture and whilst HUMINT is a source of positive intelligence, it is a source also of strong counterintelligence value. Interviews should balance any known information requirements of both intelligence collection guidance and of counterintelligence requirements. Due to this, unless another method of intelligence can be used to verify HUMINT, it should be treated with a high level of skepticism.

Image Intelligence

Image Intelligence, or IMINT, is the term utilized to describe any intelligence which is gathered in the form of an image, be it picture or a video. It is usually collected remotely and in modern warfare often by satellites or reconnaissance probes. This form of intelligence has fallen out of favor in common usage however it still has a very key role in combat intelligence as reconnaissance satellites where this form of intelligence can be provided whilst giving off a very low sensor signal to ground or space based monitoring positions.

Open Source Intelligence

Open Source Intelligence, or OSINT, is the term utilized to describe any intelligence which is gathered in the form of Open Source, or public domain information. Only articles which are freely available in the public domain can be considered OSINT. This intelligence is collated and then carefully analyzed to form "actionable intelligence" and is often combined with other types to provide a coherent intelligence picture. The collation and analyzing of this intelligence makes up the bulk of Starfleet Intelligences work.

Signals Intelligence

Signals Intelligence or SIGINT, is the term utilized to describe any intelligence which is gathered in a number of different forms, there are three versions of SIGINT, which will be dealt with in greater detail below, but these forms are Communications Intelligence (COMINT), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) and Foreign Instrumentation Signals Intelligence (FISINT). In essence, Signals Intelligence encompasses any information gathered from or by sensor or communications systems.

Communications Intelligence

COMINT (Communications Intelligence) is a sub-category of signals intelligence that engages in dealing with messages or voice information derived from the interception of foreign communications. It should be noted that COMINT is commonly referred to as SIGINT, which can cause confusion when talking about the broader intelligence disciplines. COMINT does not always require the communications to be decrypted to be effective, even such basic things as the frequency and location of communications can prove to be invaluable.

Electronic Signals Intelligence

Electronic Signals Intelligence, or ELINT is a sub-category of signals intelligence which deals with any intelligence gathered by means of sensors that does not involve communications. This is one of the widest categories within intelligence gathering and is second only to OSINT in it's importance to Starfleet Intelligence. This has also come to incorporate a number of different, formerly separate segments of intelligence including Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) and Foreign Signals Instrumentation Intelligence (FISINT) and has also taken over large parts of what would have formerly been Technological and Scientific Intelligence (TECHINT) and Measurement and Signals Intelligence (MASINT).