---
created: 2025-07-22
updated: 2025-07-22
title: Human Intelligence
tags:
  - intelligence
  - HUMINT
description: Human Intelligence (HUMINT) is intelligence gathered by means of interpersonal contact, as opposed to the more technical intelligence disciplines.
category: "Intelligence Concept"
summary: "Human Intelligence (HUMINT) refers to intelligence gathered by means of interpersonal contact, such as through foreign agents and their case officers. It is often considered the 'second-oldest profession' in the world of espionage.[^1]"
---
Human Intelligence (HUMINT) refers to intelligence gathered by means of interpersonal contact, such as through foreign agents and their case officers. It is often considered the "second-oldest profession" in the world of espionage.[^1]

During the mid-1970s, following a series of scandals and increased congressional scrutiny, the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] under [[Stansfield Turner]] reduced its reliance on HUMINT, favoring more "arm's-length" collection techniques like satellite photography and communications intercepts. This shift inadvertently made psychic intelligence, or [[PSI-INT]], seem like an appealing alternative for intelligence gathering.[^1]

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[^1]: Schnabel, Jim. *Remote Viewers*. Dell, 1997.