Short answers, pulled from the story.
HUMINT stands for human intelligence and is pronounced HEW-mint. It refers to intelligence gathering conducted through human sources and interpersonal communication rather than through technical means.
HUMINT relies on human sources and direct communication, while signals intelligence (SIGINT) intercepts electronic transmissions and imagery intelligence (IMINT) uses visual data collected remotely. Measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) is a third technical discipline that HUMINT is also distinct from.
HUMINT is collected through espionage, reconnaissance, interrogation, and witness interviews. Some of these methods are covert, while interrogation of subjects and straightforward interviews are recognized as overt forms of collection.
NATO defines HUMINT as a category of intelligence derived from information collected and provided by human sources. A typical HUMINT activity consists of interrogations and conversations with persons having access to information.
Yes. Although HUMINT is strongly associated with military and intelligence agencies, it also applies in civilian sectors including law enforcement. Police agencies use the same core methods of interviewing witnesses and handling informants.
Both counterintelligence and HUMINT involve clandestine human sources and the operational techniques used to manage them. Within the United States context, clandestine HUMINT activities are more closely associated with CIA projects than with conventional military intelligence units.