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Home > Research > Attacking Serious and Organised Crime Research Program > Intelligence Methods
Intelligence Methods
The Intelligence Methods Project covers all law enforcement and security work relating to crime or intelligence collection, collation, analysis and dissemination. The project is deliberately articulated in broad terms as intelligence is a developing and innovative discipline and to allow for a strategic view of intelligence problems. It is importantly an opportunity for the research community to positively contribute towards resolving challenges experienced by our policing and security Industry Partners. To date, little research has been focussed on how information is interpreted to create intelligence products. Therefore, we are investigating what makes an analyst most effective, and in particular the skills and abilities that characterise the effective analysis of information.
Over the life-span of the project, the following studies will be conducted:
- The effective analyst. This study concerns collating a representative range of views from crime and intelligence personnel concerning the attributes of an effective analyst.
- The effective product. This study concerns a representative range of views on products concerning what makes an effective product.
- Simulation studies. These studies concern a number of simulation exercises that will be conducted to shed light on how analysts make decisions and to provide training opportunities.
- Mapping analytical decision making.Analytical decision-making will be mapped in a variety of contexts.
- Managers’ perceptions. Intelligence managers’ perceptions of current and future directions in intelligence will be solicited and documented.
- Effective practice. Effective applications of intelligence will be documented as exemplars of good practice including in the developing area of forensic intelligence.
In 2010, we completed and started disseminating to industry partners the results of a number of our research studies. We completed the managers’ survey concerning the opinions of intelligence managers at Director level in Australia, including police and governmental bodies with an intelligence function. We completed the effective analyst project - a research study documenting the essential characteristics of effective intelligence analysts. These results have been presented to a number of our industry partners. We also completed an initial study concerning the mapping of intelligence decision-making that indicated that most intelligence analysts have a preference for intuitive decision-making over more analytical methods. Patrick Walsh completed his book entitled Intelligence and Intelligence Analysis which has a particular emphasis on contemporary international developments in the field of intelligence. A paper on the “effective analyst” has also been accepted into the ‘A’ rated journal Policing and Society.
Our continuing research is making a contribution to an enhanced awareness of how intelligence products are created and what impacts on decision-making. This will assist law enforcement and security organisations to create more robust products that are able to withstand scrutiny and more effectively contribute to achieving targets. Our ongoing research simulating intelligence sense-making capacity sheds light on how the effectiveness of intelligence can be enhanced. Throughout the year, the team has engaged with stakeholders and is developing links with the National Information and Communications Technology Australia (NICTA) concerning how information technology can enhance intelligence. A highlight of the year was Janet Evans being invited to address the Australian Institute of Professional Intelligence Officers.
Associate Professor Mark Kebbell (Chief Investigator)
Janet Evans (Senior Research Assistant)
Dr Michael Townsley (Associate Investigator)
Victoria Herrington (Associate Investigator)
Patrick Walsh (Research Associate)
Kirsty Martin (PhD Student)
