Applied Criminal Intelligence Analysis (Foundation)
Learn to turn information into a well-founded intelligence picture. In this intensive two-day program you learn to critically assess information, analyze patterns and networks, understand (criminal) processes and develop different future scenarios.
✓ No prior education required · case-based and in teams · in person or live online
About the training
From information to intelligence
The program combines analytical thinking with practical intelligence methods and realistic case material. Rather than learning separate techniques, you work with one integrated analysis process as it is applied in intelligence analysis.
Having a lot of information does not yet mean that you know what is actually going on. The challenge for an intelligence analyst is to select relevant information, recognize connections and critically test assumptions. Different explanations are then systematically weighed against each other.
During Applied Criminal Intelligence Analysis (Foundation) you work from an intelligence question toward a coherent and well-founded intelligence picture.
In doing so, you look not only at what the available information tells you, but also at what is missing, which alternative explanations are possible and which information could change your judgment.
Program · ICIA101
Overview of components
The program brings several methods within criminal intelligence analysis together in one analysis process. Central to the program are:
Targeted intelligence analysis
Cognitive aspects of intelligence analysis
Hypothesis formation
Crime analysis
Social Network Analysis (SNA)
Crime Scripting
Scenario Thinking
Formulating and communicating an intelligence assessment
The common thread throughout both class days is one continuous crime case. New information is added step by step, so you constantly have to test, defend and, where necessary, revise your analysis.
Study material
Intelligence Analysis Reader & Case File
During the program you work with the Intelligence Analysis Reader, with practical analysis templates and checklists that you apply directly during the case.
Drag a node · hover reveals connections
Analytical thinking
Not only what you see, but also why you see it that way
An important component of intelligence analysis is critically assessing your own thought process.
Analysts almost always work with incomplete information. Assumptions, previous experiences and cognitive biases can unnoticeably influence the interpretation.
During the program you therefore learn to distinguish between:
What do we know?
What do we think?
Why do we think that?
What do we not know yet?
What other explanations are possible?
What could happen next?
Among other things, you become familiar with mental models, confirmation bias, anchoring, premature closure and other cognitive effects that can influence analytical decision-making.
The aim is not to remove uncertainty from an analysis, but to make uncertainty visible, open to discussion and analytically manageable.
Learning outcomes
After this program you can
After completing Applied Criminal Intelligence Analysis (Foundation) you can:
- ✓Translating a crime problem into concrete intelligence questions
- ✓Systematically modeling an intelligence problem
- ✓Distinguishing facts, assumptions, interpretations and hypotheses
- ✓Recognizing key cognitive biases
- ✓Formulating and critically testing competing hypotheses
- ✓Analyzing temporal, geographic and behavioral crime patterns
- ✓Examining relationships and structures within criminal networks
- ✓Applying the basic principles of Social Network Analysis
- ✓Breaking down criminal activities with Crime Script Analysis
- ✓Identifying intelligence gaps and information needs
- ✓Developing different plausible future scenarios
- ✓Explicitly incorporating uncertainty into an analysis
- ✓Communicating a well-founded intelligence judgment clearly and concisely
The core
Thinking like an intelligence analyst
Intelligence analysis is not about absolute certainty. It is about being able to make clear:
- ✓What you know
- ✓What you think
- ✓Why you think that
- ✓What you may be overlooking
- ✓Which information could change your judgment
That is the core of Applied Criminal Intelligence Analysis: not only applying analysis techniques, but being able to critically substantiate your conclusions.
Target audience
Who is this program designed for?
Applied Criminal Intelligence Analysis (Foundation) is designed for professionals who need to assess, analyze or translate information into usable intelligence.
The program is relevant for, among others:
No extensive prior knowledge of analysis methods is required. The program is suitable both for professionals who are starting out in intelligence analysis and for experienced investigators who want to further structure their analytical approach.
Certificate
IACA certificate
After completing the program you receive the IACA certificate:
- ✓ICIA101: Applied Criminal Intelligence Analysis (Foundation)
Course formats
Open, private or customized
Applied Criminal Intelligence Analysis (Foundation) can be delivered as an open program and as a private program.
For organizations, the case material can be tailored to their own work environment where desired, for example investigation, intelligence, financial and economic crime, fraud, integrity or corporate security.
Private programs can be delivered in Dutch or English.
Enrollment
Start dates & availability
You can attend the program in person at our location or live online. Open programs are taught in Dutch by default. Private programs can also be offered in English.
Reviews
What our students say
Reviews from professionals who have completed IACA's programs. These reviews were originally written in Dutch and translated into English.
Frequently asked questions
Applied Criminal Intelligence Analysis: your questions answered
Ready to get started?
Learn to think like an intelligence analyst
Enroll for Applied Criminal Intelligence Analysis (Foundation) or request more information without obligation. We are happy to advise you on an open program, a private program or a custom track.