text: FM 2-22.3 _________________________________________________________________________________
  • The quality and criticality of the information believed to be possessed
  by the source.
  • The presence or absence of other sources that probably possess that
  information.
  • The number of HUMINT collectors and sources available.
  • The LTIOV that the HUMINT collector is attempting to obtain.
  8-75. The HUMINT collector needs to identify the signs that the source is
  approaching or has reached the point of cooperation. For example, if during
  the approach the source leans forward with his facial expression indicating
  an interest in the proposal or is more hesitant in his argument, he is
  probably nearing the point where he will cooperate. The HUMINT collector
  must also be aware of the fact that a source can begin to cooperate in certain
  areas while continuing to resist strongly in other areas. The HUMINT
  collector should recognize the reason for refusal, overcome the objection, and
  stress the benefit of cooperating (reinforce the approach). Once the HUMINT
  collector determines the source is cooperating, he should interject pertinent
  questions. If the source does not answer the question, the HUMINT collector
  should continue with his approach or switch to an alternate approach
  technique and continue to work until he again believes the source will
  cooperate. If the source answers the pertinent question, the HUMINT
  collector continues asking relevant questions until the questioning session is
  completed.
  8-76. If a cooperative source balks at answering a specific line of questions,
  the HUMINT collector must assess the reason for the refusal. The HUMINT
  collector may have arrived at a topic that the source finds particularly
  sensitive. Other reasons that might cause a source to stop answering
  questions are fatigue or unfamiliarity with the new topic. If this topic is
  critical, the HUMINT collector may have to reinforce the previously
  successful approach or may have to use a different approach.
  APPROACH STRATEGIES FOR INTERROGATION
  8-77. Interrogation does not mean a hostile relationship between the
  HUMINT collector and the source. In fact, most interrogation sources (90
  percent or more) cooperate in response to the direct approach. Unfortunately,
  those sources who have the placement and access to make them high priority
  sources are also the ones with the highest degree of security awareness. A
  source who uses counter-interrogation techniques such as delaying, trying to
  control the conversation, or interrogating the HUMINT collector himself
  may––
  • Be an intelligence trained soldier.
  • Be survival, evasion, resistance, and escape (SERE) trained.
  • Be a terrorist.
  • Have been a detainee or previously incarcerated.
  8-78. In stability and reconstruction operations and civil support operations,
  detainees are often politically motivated and resistant to most approaches.