Admiralty code
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (November 2009) |
The Admiralty System or NATO System is a method for evaluating collected items of intelligence. [1] The system comprises a two-character notation assessing the reliability of the source and the assessed level of confidence on the information. The Admiralty system is used by NATO member nations and members of the AUSCANZUKUS community.
Evaluation
Evaluation occurs in the processing stage of the intelligence cycle recognising that collected information cannot be accepted at face value. Each item of information used in the creation of an assessment is given an indication of source reliability and assessed accuracy, based on corroboration or other assessment. Each descriptor is considered in isolation to ensure that the reliability of the source does not influence the assessed accuracy of the report.
Reliability
A source is assessed for reliability based on a technical assessment of its capability, or in the case of Human Intelligence sources their history. Notation uses Alpha coding, A-F:
- Reliability of Source [2]
- A - Completely reliable: No doubt of authenticity, trustworthiness, or competency; has a history of complete reliability
- B - Usually reliable: Minor doubt about authenticity, trustworthiness, or competency; has a history of valid information most of the time
- C - Fairly reliable: Doubt of authenticity, trustworthiness, or competency but has provided valid information in the past
- D - Not usually reliable: Significant doubt about authenticity, trustworthiness, or competency but has provided valid information in the past
- E - Unreliable: Lacking in authenticity, trustworthiness, and competency; history of invalid information
- F - Reliability cannot be judged: No basis exists for evaluating the reliability of the source
Credibility
An item is assessed for credibility based on likelihood and levels of corroboration by other sources. Notation uses a numeric code, 1-6.
- Accuracy of data
- 1 - Confirmed by other sources
- 2 - Probably True
- 3 - Possibly True
- 4 - Doubtful
- 5 - Improbable
- 6 - Truth cannot be judged
Reporting
An assessment will provide a candidate course of action based on the coding of the items of collected information used to compile the assessment. The hypothesis will not be coded but the wording will caveat conclusions based on the levels of confidence indicated by the code.
See also
References
- ^ Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) (March 2003), Joint Warfare Publication 2-00 Intelligence Support to Joint Operations, Joint Doctrine and Concepts Centre: Ministry of Defence (UK)
- ^ FM 2-22