CFA HUMINT Collection Techniques 2

Question 1

During elicitation, a field agent uses flattery to encourage a target to share information by appealing to their expertise. This technique is known as:

Accepted Answer

Appeal to ego

Answer

Appeal to ego exploits a target's vanity or pride by praising their knowledge to encourage them to share more information.

Question 2

A HUMINT source consistently provides accurate information but suddenly begins reporting data that contradicts known facts. The first investigative step should be to:

Accepted Answer

Assess whether the source has been compromised or doubled

Answer

A sudden shift to inaccurate reporting is a classic indicator that a source may have been compromised or turned into a double agent by an adversary.

Question 3

Which debriefing approach is most effective when a recently returned asset has been under prolonged operational stress?

Accepted Answer

A phased debrief beginning with rapport-building and rest before detailed questioning

Answer

A phased approach that allows recovery time improves recall accuracy and builds the trust necessary to elicit complete reporting from a stressed source.

Question 4

The 'deliberate error' elicitation technique involves the collector:

Accepted Answer

Intentionally stating an incorrect fact to provoke the target into providing the correct information

Answer

By stating something factually wrong, a collector can trigger a knowledgeable target's impulse to correct the error, revealing accurate information.

Question 5

When conducting a clandestine meeting in a denied area, the primary purpose of a 'cover stop' is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide a plausible reason for the collector's presence in the area

Answer

A cover stop provides a legitimate pretext for the agent's presence in the area, reducing suspicion if observed by hostile surveillance.

CFA Practice Test

CFA Practice Test

CFA HUMINT Collection Techniques 2