In intelligence usage, what term describes obtaining information from a person without revealing the interview's intent?

• A. Elicitation
• B. Downgrade
• C. Direct Commercial Sales (DCS)
• D. Duration

Answer: (A)

Elicitation is the technique used to obtain information from someone without revealing the interview's true purpose. It relies on natural conversation, making the interviewee comfortable, and asking indirect or casually framed questions that coax out details while masking the intent. This approach increases the likelihood that useful information will be volunteered rather than guarded.

The other terms don’t fit the scenario: downtime or “downgrade” isn’t about gathering info through social interaction; Direct Commercial Sales is a business term unrelated to information extraction, and duration simply denotes a length of time rather than a method of obtaining information.