The intelligence cycle:
Direction Collection Evaluation Collation Analysis Responses Dissemination Review
Direction:
A direction on what to collect against? Clear, concise and aligned to organisational strategies.
Collection:
The directed, focused gathering of information to meet Intel requirements. Systematic, planned & coordinated collection maximises effectiveness. Must be ethical and align with legislation and policy.
Evaluation
The process of assessing the data and information for reliability and credibility. Creates confidence in the information.
Collation:
The process of receiving, logging, storing and cross referencing of information to allow easily retrieval and use. Collation can produce graphs, charts or spreadsheets.
Analysis:
Converting raw information into intelligence products by reducing it into facts and inferences, combining with existing information to identify trends. The identification of the drivers of defined problems is the critical function of Analysis.
Responses:
Are attempts to describe an action based solution to an identified problem following analysis. Broadly aimed to prevent and reduce crime.
Dissemination:
The distribution of raw and finished information to decision-makers. To get information in whatever format deemed appropriate, to those who have a need and right to use it, in a timely to be useful.
Review:
Examining intelligence processes and products to determine their effectiveness, and responses in terms of their effect on the criminal environment. (Challenging for continuous improvement).
Scanning:
A constant process of identifying public concerns of reoccurring problems, focus on specific problems for analysis and identifying the consequences of specific problems. It can confirm or deny a problem exists, how it can be reported on, determine the frequency of it and allows for Intel prioritisation.
Collections Management:
- Ensuring routine collections are sufficient to support strategic priorities.
- Managing specific collection requirements for particular intelligence products (tasking)
3 strands of Collection management:
- Requirement strand: What do we need - Identify what needs to be answered and how information gaps are managed. (Collection requirements - identified, prioritised and agreed)
- Collections strand: How do we collect it - Managed by ICC who assigns responsibility. Not always FIO who collects information (dependant on resourcing, time frames & scope).
- Processing strand: Collate & Deliver - Evaluation, collation and delivery of the information to an analyst. Also ensures the requirements have been met.
Common considerations:
- Need to prioritise collection requirements
- Identify appropriate SandA
- Determine if the requirements have been met (if not task further collections)
Intelligence needs analysis:
Used to identify all information necessary to achieve the intelligence objective.
2 types of Collections:
Routine:
• Collection requirements need to be considered, prioritised & tasked
• Linked to National, District & Area strategies targeting FORYA
• Daily monitoring of information flow from SandA
Tasked:
• Tasked collection to fill intelligence gaps
• Used to create products (knowledge, problem, subject)
• Typically a team based approach (FIO, ISO, Analyst, Supervisor)
Inference Development Model:
Allows analysts to develop propositions (derived from indicators).
Indicators are raw facts / data or observations.
Premises are propositions which may suggest a variety of actions.
4 ways an inference can be stated: (HEP-C)
- Hypothesis
- Estimations
- Predictions
- Conclusions
