Educing Information: Interrogation - National Intelligence University

and training, and ultimately leads to comprehension and understanding. Boyd’s
concept of orientation included such considerations as cultural traditions, genetic
heritage, new information, previous experience, and analysis/synthesis.
Example of Orientation: Observable changes when answering pertinent
questions open the possibility of conscious resistance. Additional questioning,
research into known information about the source, and consultation with
cultural and technical subject matter experts, suggest the source has useful
knowledge but is constrained by concerns about the personal consequences
of cooperation. Examples of the personal consequences of cooperation
include guilt over the betrayal of colleagues, discomfort over feelings of
appearing weak, and fear of retribution if cooperation is discovered.
Decision: Informed by both observation and orientation, one must determine
the effective course of action. In the context of educing information, the decision
has two aspects: (1) what can and should be done and (2) what can and should
not be done. In the case of the former, the decision to act resembles a craftsman’s
choosing the correct implement for the job from a toolbox. By contrast, the
decision regarding what actions not to take resembles the craftsman’s consulting
with legal, environmental, and safety professionals before beginning the job.
Knowledge, the refinement of skills, perspective, the Law of Requisite Variety
(see footnote 52 above), and the range of available options are major factors in the
decision-making phase.
Example of Decision: On the basis of observation and orientation, the
interrogator considers a range of options shaped by time, tactics, and
temperament. Time refers to the amount of time available for the conduct
of one or a series of interrogations. Tactics refers to the approach methods
and strategies that are appropriate given an assessment of not only the
source’s strengths and weaknesses, but also those of the interrogator. Finally,
temperament refers to the selection of a lead interrogator who best matches
the demographic, technical, and linguistic profile of the source.
Action: Action is the actual physical manifestation of the decision. Once the
action (i.e., interrogation) begins, action is governed by the Schwerpunkt (e.g.,
truth in the shortest possible time)
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