Words matter. Especially if you are relying on the internet to find what you are looking for. Key in the wrong word and you are unlikely to find it. When it comes to looking for material in relation to HUMINT or confidential informants you better decide which one you want because there is limited crossover. Add in a few other terms like Human Source, Confidential Human Source, Covert Human Intelligence Source or CHIS and a few more derogatory terms like rat or snitch and you may start to get what you are looking for. We will try and explain the differences and similarities.
HUMINT is generally a military term. Where we see it creeping into law enforcement it is generally because of people moving from the military into law enforcement and bringing the language with them. HUMINT is much broader in nature than the terms confidential informant or human source. It includes all sorts of intelligence collection where a person provides the information including interviews of suspects and surveillance by officers. Law enforcement does not include this. HUMINT also crops up with some intelligence agencies. With HUMINT it is solely about intelligence. With law enforcement especially confidential informants it is primarily about getting evidence. HUMINT officers are likely to receive extensive training.
Confidential Informant is a USA centric term used by law enforcement, with the notable exception of the FBI. Given that there are about 18000 law enforcement agencies in the USA with most having different definitions for what a confidential informant is and how to manage them it is hardly surprising there is often confusion. Confidential informants are often used for short-term gain by the agency. Make one or two cases then move on to the next one. They are generally managed by any officer and the officers involved have very limited, if any, training.
Covert human intelligence sources or CHIS are the UK version and the term is now used in a number of European countries. Generally, these people are managed in a highly regulated regime and in pursuit of identified law enforcement objectives. Officers involved in managing CHIS all must receive training against nationally agreed standards.
Human Sources is a term growing in popularity and used in Australia New Zealand and Canada and by the FBI, although they use the longer-term Confidential Human Source. The term human source is intended to convey a person who provides information in a structured way and is managed by officers having proper training in how to manage them. It is about professionalizing every aspect of how information collection is done. Human Sources are managed to maximize the quantity of and quality of information they produce. They can be used in gathering information against any crime problem including high-level organized crime and terrorism. With Human Source Management all officers involved including managers require training at a number of different levels according to their role. A lot of the training involved should focus on psychology
When it comes to all these terms, the one thing that they have in common is that they require a thorough understanding of people and what motivates their behaviour. If officers are not trained in the psychology involved the relationship will be fraught with many more risks and be much less productive.
If you want to know more please ask info@hsmtraining.com or have a read at our books on the topic
