1. PURPOSE

Open Source Intelligence: Professional Handbook 1.0 , is published to ensure the dissemination of useful information which is vital to successful intelligence support to the military commander, and highly pertinent to law enforcement and economic intelligence operations, but which is not yet doctrinally available. The body of this publicly disseminated version has been left unchanged from a draft prepared for the Navy-Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center.

2. SCOPE

This reference publication was produced by OPEN SOURCE SOLUTIONS, Inc., using copyrighted OSS, Inc. materials developed under contract to the Defense Intelligence Agency. The material has been edited to develop a single integrated publication which can be used as both a primer and an operational guide to exploiting open source intelligence as part of the all-source intelligence process. Open source intelligence is the "source of first resort", and often will be the only source available to the commander and the staff when first considering an expeditionary contingency. This draft is offered by OSS, Inc. and does not imply endorsement or approval by any government organization or authority.

3. SUPERSESSION: None.

4. COPYRIGHT: This handbook may be reproduced and/or downloaded by individuals. OSS, Inc. retains full copyright, largely to ensure that this material cannot legally be used by or sold by private sector or foreign government parties as part of their own training offerings. The U.S. Department of Defense may reproduce and utilize this handbook without restriction.

5. DISSEMINATION: Hard-copy versions of this Handbook will first be disseminated to all participants in OSS '96, the annual international open source intelligence conference, and available for purchase thereafter for $50. The soft copy version will remain available at Web site http://www.oss.net/oss The Handbook is most effective when used as a reference by someone who has attended at least one open source intelligence conference; for the complete schedule and registration information, send email to OSS96@oss.net. In subsequent years, use 97, 98, etc. instead of 96.

5. CERTIFICATION: This is the best we can do at this time.

Robert D. Steele, President
OPEN SOURCE SOLUTIONS, Inc.