Tradecraft Primer ─ A Framework for Aspiring Interrogators

This book provides a common baseline of useful knowledge for interrogators -- and those engaged in managing interrogation programs for what is current in the tradecraft. It is a refresher course for what is acceptable and unacceptable in terms of interrogation techniques. It serves as a foundation and building-block for those interested in the tradecraft to pursue further independent research and study.

Paul Charles Topalian has 30 years experience as an intelligence professional. He brings with him considerable firsthand multi-agency experience having served throughout the Intelligence Community. As an analyst and former collector, he understands the critical importance of how intelligence disciplines can tip-off and complement each other and the valuable contributions of the interrogation tradecraft to the security of our forces and to our nation. A retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, his senior assignments led him to serve in a number of critical positions overseas. After retirement from the military, Mr. Topalian went on to serve as a civilian government employee of the Department of Justice and with the Department of Defense. His career also included assignments as an embedded contractor tackling some of the toughest intelligence problems within our national intelligence community. His academic credentials include two graduate degrees: MA in International Security Studies and a MS in Business Management. Mr. Topalian is a proud recipient of the national-level Exceptional Intelligence Collector Award under the annual HUMINT awards program.