Daniel J. Evans is the Executive Director and Editor in Chief of the International Relations and Affairs Group. He has experience analyzing how crises unfold and evaluating contingencies for dealing with complications as they arise. His specialties are foreign affairs research, International Relations Theory, Systems Theory, Globalization, Geopolitics, Intelligence Analysis and Homeland Security. His training deals with assessing transorganizational structures for the management of Homeland Security and developing plans for coordinating networked Homeland Security organizations.
Intelligence collection uses several methods to collect information. In conversations about this, it has been shown that many people are unsure of their facts and get confused about intelligence collection. This is something that is not hard to confuse. Briefly, I will discuss the comparative strengths and weaknesses of IMINT, HUMINT, SIGINT, and MASINT as intelligence collection means.
IMINT uses satellites and aerial photography to collect information for intelligence. Strengths are it mitigates the loss of human life and detection during collection. Advents of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and better aircraft, gives advantages over satellites because the information is quicker and pictures are more detailed, dispatched relatively easy, and put directly over targets (Richelson, 2008). Disadvantage of satellite imagery is the delay in information; images can be old and targets no longer in that position; UAV’s can be shot down easily. Sometimes leadership that should be able to read and interpret images is not able to do so, resulting in improper placing of troops and equipment (Richelson, 2008).
SIGINT incorporates space and signal intelligence. It is thought to be important and at the same time sensitive. Strengths of SIGINT provide crucial functions such as “diplomatic, military, scientific, and economic capabilities and plans of nations” (Richelson, 2008). It is also used for detecting the activities of terrorist organizations and rogue groups (Richelson, 2008). Disadvantages are human error, generally during the translation stages. Diplomatic signals can be misinterpreted, due to cultural misunderstandings or translation error. Interpretation has a human element and cultural implications impede in analysis.
HUMINT is based off of interpersonal communications and observations for intelligence gathering. Strengths are also some of the weaknesses. Informants can give false information and be friendly, hostile, and sometimes neutral. There is some kind of bias and the more information is passed the more it can be altered. It is valuable in proving real world views of situations and cultural interaction aids in the ability to look at intelligence from an applied perspective (Richelson, 2008).
MASINT is incorporation of “distinct collection activities” (Richelson, 2008). It is a more technical and scientific approach good for both “strategic and tactical” applications and uses sensors. It is able to build models for analysis as it is less on the collection of intelligence. It is able to put collected intelligence into categories. Disadvantages of MASINT are the collection process is limited and is hard to take this technical data and apply so it can be used (Richelson, 2008). What are the advantages and disadvantages of IMINT, SIGINT, MASINT, and HUMINT in supporting intelligence objectives? This is how each of these disciplines complements the other in support of intelligence efforts; and the role that OSINT plays in this mix.
IMINT, SIGINT, MASINT, and HUMINT complement each other in support of intelligence efforts. The images used from IMINT from satellites and aerial photography are able to give a picture of the operation. If IMINT is used in conjunction with SIGINT aids in the ability to also hear what on the ground and may mitigate the delay in information that IMINT sometimes does with newer images. The interceptions of these diplomatic and military capabilities through SIGINT help build a stronger model for detection. These two disciplines together with HUMINT also can put names and faces together along with the interpersonal aspect that cannot be seen or heard from a distance but aid in the human element in supporting intelligence efforts.
The validity of HUMINT collection can sometimes be verified for truth with the efforts from IMINT and SIGINT and this aid in getting a clearer and more accurate picture and the ability to whittle it down for a better understanding. With the technical aspects that are gained from the MASINT efforts the other disciplines can help fill in the gaps and holes in the categories that MASINT has created. OSINT uses a lot of geospatial elements that are readily available such as GIS software, maps, map sites, magazines, networking sites, and many others. This information in conjunction with the rest of the intelligence efforts better shapes and tells a story. It also compares and contrasts the readily available public data and sees what inferences are very similar and dissimilar (Richelson, 2008).
This is only a brief overview of the strengths and weaknesses of IMINT, HUMINT, SIGINT, and MASINT in intelligence collection. Obviously, there are many aspects that were not included, but this should aid in enough information to refine your understanding of how they are used in collection.
References
Richelson, J. (2008). The US Intelligence Community. Westview Press, Boulder, CO: Print
