text: FM 2-22.3 _________________________________________________________________________________
  TYPES OF DIRECT QUESTIONS
  9-5. The HUMINT collector must be able to use the following types of direct
  questions:
  • Initial, topical.
  • Follow-up.
  • Nonpertinent.
  • Repeat.
  • Control.
  • Prepared.
  Initial Questions
  9-6. The HUMINT collector begins his questioning with the first topic in his
  collection plan and asks all the basic questions necessary to cover the topic.
  The answers to the basic questions will determine the requirements for
  follow-up questioning. The initial questions are directed toward obtaining the
  basic information on the topic. In other words, they are the “who, what,
  where, when, how, and why” of each topic.
  Follow-up Questions
  9-7. Follow-up questions are used to expand on and complete the information
  obtained from the initial questions. Often even if the initial question is a
  well-constructed direct question, it will elicit only a partial answer. For
  example, when asked, “Who is going to attack?” The source might say, “My
  unit.” Follow-up questions are used to determine precisely what the source
  means by “my unit” and what other units may also attack. The answer to
  follow-up questions may lead to more follow-ups until the source’s knowledge
  on a given topic is exhausted. At a minimum, upon receiving a positive
  answer to an initial question, the HUMINT collector needs to ask “Who
  (what, where, when, why, how) else?” For example, if the HUMINT collector
  asks the source, “Who, in the local government is collaborating with the
  insurgents?” and is told a name in response, he will ask follow-up questions
  to determine all the required information about this individual and then will
  ask, “Who else, in the local government is collaborating with the insurgents?”
  This will continue until the source’s knowledge in this area is exhausted.
  Nonpertinent Questions
  9-8. Nonpertinent questions are questions that do not pertain to the
  collection objectives. They are used to conceal the collection objectives or to
  strengthen rapport with the source. They are essential when the collector is
  using the elicitation technique. Nonpertinent questions may be used to gain
  time for the HUMINT collector to formulate pertinent questions and may
  also be used to break the source's concentration, particularly, if the HUMINT
  collector suspects the source is lying. It is hard for a source to be a convincing
  liar if his concentration is frequently interrupted.