text: FM 2-22.3 _________________________________________________________________________________
  SCREENING REQUIREMENTS
  6-29. In addition to potential sources, screening requires several components.
  • Collection Requirements. Without a clear list of specific collection
  requirements, screening becomes virtually impossible. The concept
  behind screening is to rapidly identify source knowledgeability as it
  relates to requirements. Screeners should obtain a copy of the
  supported element's collection requirements and become familiar with
  the intelligence indicators listed therein. Screeners must use their
  experience and imagination to devise ways to identify EPWs and
  detainees who might possess information pertinent to these indicators.
  Vague requirements (such as “What is the threat doing?”) do not
  provide the focus necessary to make a source selection. The HUMINT
  collection element must break these SIRs into indicators if the
  supported intelligence officer has not already done this. The indicators
  must take into account the type of sources anticipated. For example, a
  refugee probably will not know if the threat intends to defend a
  particular ridgeline. However, he might know whether or not there are
  threat forces on the ridge, if an improvised explosive device (IED) is
  being employed on a route, if they are digging in, or if engineer type
  equipment is in the area.
  • Selection Criteria. After reviewing the collection requirements, the
  HUMINT collection element will develop preliminary criteria to
  identify the source type that will most likely have the required
  information. The source type may include gender, appearance, military
  rank, age, or occupation. Some of these criteria are determined by
  visual observation, thereby saving time in not having to question
  everyone. Other criteria such as occupation or place of residence may
  require brief questions.
  • Trained Screeners. Screening is possibly the most difficult HUMINT
  skill. A HUMINT collector must use his experience, questioning skill,
  cultural knowledge, and knowledge of human nature to decide in a
  matter of minutes or possibly seconds whether limited HUMINT
  collection assets and valuable time should be spent talking to an
  individual based on the way he looks and the answers to a few
  questions. A wrong decision will mean wasted assets and valuable
  information missed.
  • Language Capability and Cultural Awareness. Screening involves
  more than asking a series of questions. The HUMINT collector must be
  able to evaluate the answers, the specific language used, and other
  clues such as body language to determine the value of an individual to
  the collection effort. This requires a mature and experienced screener.
  If the HUMINT collector does not possess the target language, he and
  his interpreter must be able to work together quickly with mutual
  trust and confidence.
  • Area Conducive to Screening Operations. Effective screening
  operations must allow the HUMINT collector to speak to the source
  where the source is not exposed to outside influences or dangers that
  may inhibit his responses. For that reason, sources should never be
  screened within the sight or hearing of other potential sources.