Educing Information: Interrogation - National Intelligence University

The OODA Loop. Source: Defense and the National Interest, URL:
http://www.d-n-i.net/fcs/pdf/bazin_ooda.pdf, accessed 16 November 2006.
Observation: Observation involves gathering information via the senses.
Although made possible by the physiological mechanisms of sight, sound, touch,
taste, and smell, effective observation is informed by experience, training, and
even intuition. Astute observation is a product of acute situational awareness.
An experienced interrogator, by virtue of possessing the so-called “trained eye,”
might note a subtle gesture that a less experienced observer might miss. Boyd’s
research suggests that observations are both informed and influenced by implicit
guidance and control; unfolding circumstances; outside information; and unfolding
interaction with the environment. In a similar vein, observation systematically
collects and organizes tonality, word choice, gestures, analogies, metaphors, and
myriad other “observables” in a manner that enables the interrogator to move
effectively to the next phase.
Example of Observation: The source readily answers non-pertinent
questions, seems to interact without hesitation with both the interrogator
and the interpreter, and appears to be cooperative. However, when
pertinent questions are posed about the location of weapons caches,
the source shows observable changes in posture, speech, and ability to
understand.
Orientation: Orientation involves the considered analysis and synthesis of
the information gathered during the observation phase. Critical to the transition
from observation to orientation is the presence of the sensory acuity described
previously. Sensory acuity helps shape the mental construct necessary to
effectively approach the challenge and aids in answering the important question,
“What does this mean” Orientation is enhanced through continuous refinement
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