This is a series of intel about the specific tradecraft methods and tactics of detecting deception for covert operatives and other individuals while in close proximity personal communicational scenarios in the field.

LINER TRADECRAFT

      Elicitation through assumptive questions is a specialized technique often used in human intelligence gathering operations. The premise is straightforward but demands skillful execution: pose a question that assumes the subject has committed an action they have not.

      For instance, if you’re trying to verify someone’s alibi for a specific time frame, you might say, “I heard you were at the gym during the time of the event. How was your workout?” Here, the assumption that they were at the gym might prompt them to correct you.

      People have a natural inclination to correct inaccuracies about themselves (particularly in the moment), especially if those inaccuracies paint them in a certain light. If they were lying about their whereabouts, this tactic could force them into a corner, making them offer up additional, potentially incriminating details as they attempt to maintain their deception.

      To deploy this technique effectively, maintain a neutral or agreeable demeanor so as not to raise the subject’s defenses. Timing and context are also crucial. Raise your assumptive question within a broader conversation to make it less noticeable and thereby reduce the risk of the subject becoming suspicious.


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      Although this technique can be potent, it’s not foolproof. A skilled or experienced individual could recognize the tactic and counter it, either by refusing to correct the assumption or by providing misleading information. Therefore, it’s crucial to corroborate any data obtained through this method with additional evidence.

      Assumptive questions should be part of a broader operational strategy that includes multiple approaches to verification, rather than a standalone method for catching someone in a lie. Intelligence work is rarely about single points of data; it’s about building a comprehensive picture through multiple angles of approach.