Essay Criminal and Security Intelligence – Collection and Processing – Law Assignment Help

Assignment Task :

Part 1 The Intelligence Brief

Background

Criminal and Security Intelligence and law enforcement agencies around the world adopt a standardised “cycle” when engaging in the intelligence process.  The 5 key phases of the cycle, situated within a continuous process of evaluation and re-evaluation, are:

• Planning and Direction
• Collection and Processing
• Analysis
• Production
• Dissemination and Feedback.

Analysis is seen as the first step in turning raw information into Intelligence.  It involves the evaluation of the collected information firstly to understand it, then to draw conclusions and assumptions.  It includes querying the raw data and information to draw meaning and to understand the problem in detail.

The analysis stage of the intelligence process is critical for it concerns the examination of the meaning of the available information highlighting the essential features

It includes the critical step of evaluation of the reliability of both source and information as well as checking back to ensure the requirements established in the planning and direction stage are being appropriately addressed.

Analysis can involve the use of various tools to assist the analyst, but this critical part of the Intelligence cycle is about thinking about the information collected, weaving together the disparate pieces into a cohesive picture, reforming data to create a new look and new understanding, re-assessing, looking for flaws in process and products, and finally drawing conclusions.

The outcome of the analysis process is disseminated in an Intelligence Brief.

The Intelligence Brief follows from the Analysis phase and is the vehicle (report) through which the intelligence developed, key conclusions drawn, and the actionable recommendations are disseminated or provided to the relevant audience.  It is the end-product of the Intelligence Cycle and should always include recommendations for action.

Intelligence reports can take many forms from standardised organisational templates, industry wide accepted best practice, to an individual approach tailored to meet the needs of the decision maker (audience).

The content and key elements of the Intelligence Brief is driven by the purpose, strategic intent, context, significance, legal and ethical boundaries, urgency, and expectations of the authorising environment and audience for whom the Intelligence process was undertaken.  Whilst there may be many differences between Intelligence Briefs, there are also similarities and some minimum necessary requirements to all.  These include but are not limited to and not always in this order:

• Clearly defined title
• The main points
  • Key Findings, Key Recommendations, Single Important statements,
• Purpose of the Briefing
• Summary and explanation that supports the Main Points
  • Key themes, issues, and trends
• Background information
  • Drivers, motivations, Analysis techniques and processes, Supporting data, Supporting Evidence, graphs and pictures
• Detailed explanation that supports the main points
  • Information Source, Limitations, Evaluation, Irrelevant information, Information collected but dismissed

One single element common to all Intelligence Briefs are Key Actionable Recommendations.

Collate and Analyse the information you have collected in your first assignment (Part 2) and write an Intelligence Brief, the culmination of your intelligence creation (analysis), that addresses and provides answers to the problem, purpose, issue or intelligence Gap you identified in your original Information Collection Plan from the chosen scenario (Part 1).  Present the Intelligence Brief in a style or format of your choice, however ensure it includes minimum mandatory requirements (as discussed and identified throughout the course) and where relevant additional key elements as described above applicable to your identified problem and audience expectations.  Ensure you include key findings and key recommendations that enable immediate action by decision makers (your audience.)