INTERROGATOR CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS HUMINT collection is capable of obtaining information pertinent to all six IEW tasks: • Situation development. • Target development and target acquisition. • I&W. • IPB. • BDA • Force protection. Interrogators are trained as linguists to question EPWs and civilian detainees and to exploit CEDs. During their collection, interrogators attempt to obtain and report any information possessed by these targets that pertains to the IEW tasks. This persistence is determined by comparing the information obtained to the SIR contained in the interrogation element's collection mission. Interrogators are capable of collecting information on political, economic, and a wide range of military topics. For the most part, interrogators attempt to organize their collection effort according to the OB elements analysts use. In addition to these elements, interrogators also obtain PIR-directed information on the FM 34-52 missions assigned to enemy units. Appendix B discusses relevant questioning guides. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS The environment in which interrogation operations are performed affects the degree of success achieved. There are primarily two areas, both having limitations, upon which the interrogators depend: • The IEW process which gives direction and purpose to their collection efforts. • The conduct of combat operations which provides them with collection targets; that is, EPWs, detainees, and CEDs. If the IEW process or combat operations are not ideal, use what you can to capitalize on capabilities. IEW Process The IEW process can limit interrogators by assigning collection missions which are not suited to HUMINT collection capabilities; as well as by not disseminating copies of the following reports: • Intelligence summary (INTSUM). • Intelligence report (INTREP). • Daily intelligence summary (DISUM). • Periodic intelligence report (PERINTREP). • Supplementary intelligence report (SUPINTREP). • Other intelligence reports. Combat Operations Combat operations can limit interrogators by—— • Delaying evacuation of EPWs or detainees and captured documents, thereby limiting time available to exploit them. • Allowing prisoners and documents to be mishandled, thereby decreasing their exploitation potential. • Not providing the equipment, supplies, and secure communications needed for successful operations. INHERENT LIMITATIONS Interrogation operations are also limited by the very nature of HUMINT collection. EPWs or detainees and CEDs must actually have the desired information before interrogators can collect it. With EPWS or detainees, there is always the possibility knowledgeable individuals may refuse to cooperate. The UCMJ, GWS, GPW, and GC set definite limits on measures which can be taken to induce an EPW or detainee to cooperate. CONFLICTS HICs are conflicts between two or more nations and their respective allies, where the belligerents employ modern technology complemented by intelligence; mobility, firepower (to include NBC weapons); service support; and resources. MICS are conflicts between two or more nations and their respective allies, where the belligerents employ modern technology complemented by intelligence; mobility, firepower (without NBC); C3; and service support resources for limited objectives under definitive policy limiting employment of destructive power and geography involved. LICs are political-military confrontations between contending states or groups below conventional war and above the routine, peaceful competition among states. They • Frequently involve protracted struggles of competing principles and ideologies. • Range from subversion to the use of armed force. • Are waged by combining and employing political, economic, informational, and military instruments. • Are often localized, generally in the Third World, but contain regional and global security implications. LIC operational intelligence requirements are HUMINT intensive and demand detailed familiarity with the military, political, and front organizations of the insurgent enemy, and the environment in which he operates. The interrogator's familiarity with the areas of operations (AOs) must include an understanding of the insurgency, its objectives, history, successes, and failures. This understanding is required not only on a general countrywide basis but also on an expanded basis within the interrogator's particular AO. Therefore, it is essential the interrogator grasps the importance the insurgent organization places on accomplishing political objectives as opposed to military successes. One measure of the interrogator's effectiveness is his ability to apply appropriate interrogation techniques to the personality of the source. Interrogations associated with LIC operations dictate the need for skill in the full range of interrogation techniques so the interrogator can conduct the many types of interrogations demanded. Warfighting doctrine IEW principles apply for LIC; however, intelligence indicators for insurgent activity are unique. Anything insurgents can do to influence and direct a society toward overthrowing its government is reflected by some action or indication, no matter how subtle. Some MI advisors may be required to assist paramilitary and nonmilitary elements in developing HUMINT sources and exploiting their information. As US forces are committed to the LIC operation, interrogation support will more closely adhere to the traditional tactical environment. Typical LIC missions arc FM 34-52 Counterinsurgency and insurgency support. • Combatting terrorism. • Peacekeeping and peacetime contingency operations. HUMINT is a major LIC source because of the necessity to exploit the local populace and to know and understand enemy intentions. In LIC, interrogators exploit EPWS and CEDs. For example, in addition to conducting EPW operations at collecting points, interrogators may participate in cordon and search and roadblock operations, tactical check points, and lowlevel collection missions in conjunction with the supporting CI unit (see FM 34-60A(S)). Interrogators may also provide support to drug and law enforcement agency (DLEA) operations. INTERROGATION MISSIONS Interrogators perform various types of missions. As discussed previously, the two main missions are personnel and document exploitation. There are other functions for which interrogators are ideally suited because of their language and HUMINT training. These include Linguist support to hostage negotiations, counterdrug, and special operation forces (SOF) operations. • LLSO linguist support. • Psychological operations (PSYOP) linguist support. • Civil Affairs (CA) linguist support. • Treaty verification and observer duties. DRUG AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OPERATIONS Army interrogators may assist Federal law enforcement authorities and, where lives are endangered, state and local law enforcement authorities, after concurrence by the Army General Counsel and approval by the Secretary of Defense or his designee. (See AR 381-10, Procedure 12, and AR 500-51.) Army interrogators may assist law enforcement agencies and security services or foreign governments or international organizations only in accordance with applicable law and policy, including any status of forces agreements. Such assistance will ordinarily constitute security assistance, which must be approved in accordance with AR 12-15. Under no circumstances will interrogators assist any law enforcement authorities in any manner without prior approval by competent authority after a legal review of the proposal. FM 34-52 CHAPTER 2 COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE The interrogation architecture (interrogators and interrogation units) is a seamless system that supports operations from brigade to theater level. The dynamic warfighting doctrine requires interrogation units be highly mobile and have automation and communication equipment to report information to the supported commander. Regardless of their employment level, interrogation units should be equipped with state-of-the-art automation equipment, necessary HUMINT software, and dedicated and secure communication equipment with skip echelon, digital, voice, facsimile, and optical scanning capability. This equipment enables interrogators to— • Receive data base information. • Manipulate that information. Incorporate it into their operational data bases. • Produce tactical information reports. By using secure communication equipment, interrogators are able to disseminate time-sensitive information to the supported commander as answers to his PIR which facilitates decision-making. The Prisoner of War Information System (PWIS) is a databased system maintained by the provost marshal's office at theater level. It has the capability to recall an EPW's evacuation audit trail. This prisoner of war interrogation (IPW) communication and automation system facilitates transmission of EPW-derived information from brigade to theater, it precludes duplicated effort in EPW or CED exploitation. The MI unit commander must ensure interrogators have the necessary equipment to accomplish their wartime mission. The MI unit commander retains overall responsibility for interrogators assigned to his unit. The manner in which these interrogators are controlled depends on how the Ml unit is task organized for com bat. If interrogators are deployed in general support (GS) of the division, the MI battalion commander exercises control over them through his S3 and the battalion tactical operations center (TOC). If interrogators are deployed in direct support (DS) of a division's subordinate units, they are tasked by the commanders of those units through their S2s. TACTICAL OPERATIONS CENTER Normally, interrogators are a primary source of OB information. The interrogation element chief should ensure that he or someone appointed to this duty has daily personal contact with the division or corps collection management and dissemination (CM&D) section at the TOC. During these visits, all questions and information pertaining to OB and intelligence target priority lists can be discussed and later disseminated to various interrogators. Interrogator elements must receive all reports and findings made by analysts; in turn, all interrogation reports should reach analysts. Direct contact must be maintained between these two elements, preferably in person or by telephone. This ensures access to important information which may arise between liaison visits. TASKING RELATIONSHIPS When interrogators are task-organized under the IEW company, the team leader directs the tasking The DS and GS teams are under operational control (OPCON) to the IEW company when they are supporting that company. The officers responsible for tasking interrogation elements ensure the following steps are accomplished: Collection missions that reflect the capabilities and limitations of interrogators are assigned. • INTREPS are integrated with information provided by other collectors during the IPB process. • Copies of the INTSUM, INTREP, PERINTREP, DISUM, and SUPINTREP are disseminated to the interrogation element as they are published. • Close contact is maintained with the interrogation element. FM 34-52 INTERROGATOR TASK ORGANIZATIONS Interrogators are not assigned by tables of organization and equipment (TOE) to units below division. However, MI parent units often task interrogators and place them in DS to brigades. For example, in a light division, there are usually enough interrogators assigned to send forward deployed interrogation teams, known as "GO" teams, to the brigades to complement light division operations. EPW interrogation may be desirable at all echelons, but is not practicable due to limited numbers of interrogators available. As a minimum, there should be an interrogation element at the division central collection point, corps holding areas, and theater internment facility. Interrogation elements at all echelons are task organized, and may not mirror the TOE organization in their parent unit. DEPLOYMENT SITES Interrogation assets are mobile enough to be shifted in response to new developments. The initial deployment of these assets are guided by the exploitation priority established by the commander. Operations are conducted at an echelon that will allow interrogators the best opportunity to satisfy their assigned collection mission. The areas discussed below should be considered when making the deployment decisions. Number of Interrogators Available The number of interrogators available limit the number of deployment sites that can be used. MI commanders at corps consider how many interrogators will be available for interrogation operations after augmentation has been provided to subordinate divisions. The number of interrogators also play a key role in deciding the level of intense or sustained collection operations they can conduct. INTERROGATION The first interrogation could take place at brigade. Interrogation teams are attached temporarily to brigades in enemy contact when determined appropriate by the division G2. These teams come from the interrogation section of the parent division. Interrogation personnel are organic to separate brigades and armored cavalry regiments (ACRS). Interrogation at brigade level is strictly tactical and deals with information of immedjate value. Type and intensity of Combat Operations Intense collection employs all available interrogators with little or no provision for them to rest. The major disadvantage of intense collection is these interrogators become exhausted quickly. Interrogations amount to prolonged conversations under extreme stress. Once the available interrogators are exhausted, collection stops until they recover or additional assets arrive. A severe decrease in interrogation effectiveness can be expected between 12 and 18 hours after the onset of intense collection, with 18 hours as the maximum time possible for intense collection. This kind of all-out effort can be justified when critical information must be obtained or confirmed quickly to forestall a major disaster. Similar problems can be expected during intense CED exploitation. Sustained operations can be maintained indefinitely. They also allow the commander some rested interrogators to use on a contingency basis in a different location. Disadvantages of sustained collection are fewer sources are exploited over a given time and operations are slower. Support Available In making deployment decisions, the area where operations are to be conducted must provide the support required by the interrogation element. This support includes • MP coordination. Priority access to reliable means of secure communications. • Adequate shelter and security. • A flow of CEDs and sources to exploit. BELOW DIVISION Other information the EPW might possess is developed at higher levels. At brigade, the scope of interrogation changes from hour-to-hour as the tactical situation develops. These interrogations must be geared to cope with any tactical possibility at a moment's notice. Interrogation personnel in DS to brigade will be collocated or immediately adjacent to the division forward EPW collecting point in the brigade support area |