Surveillance & Intelligence Flashcards
7 cards from real FBI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Surveillance & Intelligence flashcards as text
In signals intelligence (SIGINT) collection, what does 'traffic analysis' reveal even when message content is encrypted?
Answer: Communication patterns, frequency, timing, and network relationships
Traffic analysis examines metadata such as who communicates with whom, when, and how often, revealing organizational structures and operational patterns without breaking encryption.
During a physical surveillance operation, maintaining 'natural cover' means:
Answer: Blending into the environment through behavior and appearance consistent with the surroundings
Natural cover means the surveillance team's presence, attire, and activities match what would normally be seen in that environment, avoiding suspicion.
Which principle guides the FBI's use of informants to ensure operations remain legally sound?
Answer: Informant conduct must not exceed what is reasonably necessary and must be authorized
FBI guidelines require that any otherwise-illegal activity by informants be specifically authorized, proportionate to the investigative need, and documented.
When debriefing a witness who observed a crime, an agent should use open-ended questions first because:
Answer: They allow the witness to provide a free narrative without leading their memory
Open-ended questions produce more accurate accounts by letting witnesses recall information freely before specific prompts that could introduce suggestion or confirmation bias.
What is 'pattern of life' analysis in surveillance operations?
Answer: Systematic observation of a subject's routines, contacts, and locations over time
Pattern of life analysis maps a subject's predictable behaviors, schedules, and associations to identify vulnerabilities, contacts, and the best times for operational action.
In an FBI surveillance operation, what is the role of a 'ghost' vehicle?
Answer: A vehicle that follows at extreme distance or parallel routes, rarely maintaining direct visual on the target
A ghost vehicle stays far back or on parallel routes, serving as a fallback when closer surveillance vehicles must break off to avoid detection.
When intelligence indicates a subject is using encrypted messaging apps, the FBI's most legally reliable approach to access those communications is:
Answer: Obtaining a court order for lawful intercept or physical device access
Lawful process—such as a FISA order or Title III warrant—provides both the legal authority to intercept and ensures the evidence is admissible in subsequent proceedings.