
Centre for Research on Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CR-CHIS)
The Centre for Research on Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CR-CHIS) is a pioneering research centre dedicated to advancing the understanding of effective operational practice, ethical frameworks, and methodologies surrounding the management, deployment and protection of covert human intelligence sources (CHIS). This will include research in both a historical and contemporary context.
The definition of covert human intelligence sources adopted is deliberately wide. It recognises that different jurisdictions adopt different nomenclatures. Accordingly, it includes informants, agents, agents of influence, confidential sources, undercover operatives, assisting offenders, cooperating witnesses and covert hotlines. This CR-CHIS brings together experts in intelligence, ethics, law, psychology, and technology to address the complexities of recruiting, handling, and managing human sources within covert operations, including covert action and investigations.
We aim to support research that may ultimately inform evidence-based practices and policies that balance operational effectiveness, public trust, and human rights.
Covert human intelligence plays an increasingly critical role in addressing modern security threats, from national security to counterterrorism to serious organised crime. As such, our Centre aims to be a leader in academic and practical advancements in the field. It will act as a hub for dialogue and analysis of the use of covert human intelligence sources by bringing together a network of researchers and commentators within and beyond the collection discipline Through rigorous interdisciplinary research, partnerships with government and private sector organisations, and comprehensive academic and vocational training programs, we are committed to setting the standard for innovation in intelligence practices.
By fostering a deeper understanding of the use of covert human intelligence sources, the CR-CHIS aspires to become a global hub for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners navigating the evolving challenges in source use. Research will include an exploration of the opportunities arising from their deployments, the associated risks and ethical considerations involved. We welcome collaborations and insights that will help shape the future of ethical and effective covert human intelligence operations in the private and public sectors.
Board of associates
Dr Ian Stanier – The University of Buckingham (BUCSIS), UK
Dr Jordan Nunan – University of Northampton, UK
Dr Brandon May – Florida Tech University, USA
Professor Julian Richards – Director of BUCSIS, UK
Professor Rob Dover – University of Hull
Dr Colin Atkinson – University of West of Scotland, UK
Dr Paul McFarlane – UCL, UK
Andre Kahlmeyer – BUCSIS PhD Candidate
Jo Hayton (Pseudonym 1 – Senior Practitioner) – Intelligence / LEA
Tracey Tennant (Pseudonym 2 – Practitioner) – Intelligence / LEA
Mohammed Miah (Pseudonym 3 – Practitioner) – Intelligence / LEA
Mel Green (Pseudonym 4 – Practitioner) – Intelligence / LEA
Ewan Duncan – UK
Dr Lee Moffett – University of Northumbria, UK
Dr Samantha Newbery – University of Salford, UK
Professor Lorraine Hope – University of Portsmouth, UK
Dr Aaron Edwards – Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Covert Human Intelligence Source Research Papers
- Burnett, B., Forktus, E. & Gioe, D.V. (2024). Spying (in)spires: The dwindling likelihood of an Oxford spy ring to rival the Cambridge Five, Contemporary British History, 38:1, 45-70, DOI: 10.1080/13619462.2023.2259319
- Dover, R. and Stanier, I. (2021) Coming in from the Cold? The Contested Role of Juvenile Informants in Intelligence Operations (Pre-Print)
- Eftimiades, N. (2023). China’s Espionage Recruitment Motivations – Getting Rid of the MICE. Institute for European and American Studies. December 2023.
- Hope, L., Surmon- Böhr, F, Alison, L. & Alison, E. (2024). Time Sensitive Interviews with Suspects, Witnesses, and Informants: Challenges and Opportunities. Journal of Applied Operational Intelligence. 2024 Vol 1 No 1 pp 5-30
- Hillner, L., Hope, L.,Kontogianni, F., Conchie, S. & Nunan, J. (2024). Fast-tracking Trust: Exploring the Relative Importance of Competence, Integrity, and Benevolence in Informant-Handler Interactions. Journal of Applied Operational Intelligence. 2024 Vol 1 No 1 pp 149-182
- McKenzie, T., Henry, P & Rajakaruna, N. (2025). Managing Human Sources: identification and management of motivation. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, DOI: 10.1080/13218719.2025.2454577
- Moffett, L., Oxburgh, G. E., Dresser, P., & Gabbert, F. (2024). Developing a narrative theory of deception for the analysis of mock-Covert Human Intelligence Source (CHIS) accounts. The Police Journal, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X241232880
- Serscikov , G. (2023). HUMINT Operations Abroad: Challenges to Japan’s Intelligence Services, International Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence, DOI: 10.1080/08850607.2023.2214325
- Serscikov, G. (2024). ‘Tell him that he is different’: how U.S.intelligence tried to recruit the Soviets in Iran, Journal of Intelligence History, 23:1, 20-39, DOI: 10.1080/16161262.2022.2129824
- Stanier, I. & Nunan, J. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on UK informant use and management, Policing and Society, 31:5, 512-529, DOI: 10.1080/10439463.2021.1896515
- Stanier, I. & Nunan, J. (2021) FIREPLACES And Informant Motivation. Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats.
- Stanier, I. & Nunan, J. (2023). Exploring the Motivation of the United Kingdom’s Domestic Extremist Informants, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, DOI: 10.1080/1057610X.2023.2195064
- Stanier, I. and Nunan, J. (2025). An opportunity lost? The declining role of authorised covert human intelligence sources in combating organised crime. Journal of Economic Crime. Volume 7 March 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeconc.2024.100120
- Stanier,I., Nunan, J. & May, B. (2024). An exploratory study into cell approaches for intelligence collection from detainees within an English Police Custody Suite. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice.
CHIS related Legislation, Policy, Practice and Miscellaneous items
- Crown Prosecution Service (2025) Assistance Providing by Offenders.(UK) *POLICY*
- Boutcher, J. (2024). Operation Kenova: Northern Ireland’s ‘Stakeknife’ legacy Investigation. Interim Report. Bedfordshire Police.(UK – Northern Ireland) *INDEPENDENT INQUIRY*
- College of Policing (2021). Undercover Policing Professional Practice . February 2021. Version 2. (UK) *POLICY/PRACTICE*
- De Silva, D. (2012). The Report of the Patrick Finucane Review: The Rt Hon Sir Desmond de Silva QC. (UK) *INDEPENDENT INQUIRY*
- Covert Human Intelligence Source (Criminal Conduct) Act 2021 (UK) *LEGISLATION*
- Covert Human Intelligence Source code of practice 2022 (UK) *STATUTORY CODES*
- HMIC (2014). An inspection of undercover policing in England and Wales. 13/10/2014. (UK) *OVERSIGHT*
- House of Lords (2021). Covert Human Intelligence Sources: Criminal Conduct. In Focus Report dated 30/09/2021 (UK) *POLICY GUIDANCE*
- Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (UK) *OVERSIGHT*
- Investigatory Powers Tribunal (UK) *OVERSIGHT / JUDICIAL ACCOUNTABILITY*
- IPCO (2025). Annual Report of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner 2023. *OVERSIGHT*
- OIG (2005). Federal Bureau of Investigations Compliance With the Attorney General’s Investigative Guidelines – Special Report 2005 Office of the Inspector General. Redacted. (USA) *OVERSIGHT / POLICY / PRACTICE*
- Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (2022). Investigation into Police Handling of Loyalist Paramilitary Murders and Attempted Murders in South Belfast in the Period1990-1998. *INDEPENDENT INQUIRY*
- Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (UK) *LEGISLATION*
- Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informant (2020). Final Report Summary and Recommendations. (Australia – Victoria State) *INDEPENDENT INQUIRY*
- Sentencing Act 2020. In particular, Section 74 (Reduction in sentence for Assistance to the Prosecution) Section 388 (Review of Sentence following Subsequent Agreement for Assistance by Offender) *LEGISLATION*
- Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.In particular, Chapter 2 Offenders Assisting Investigations and Prosecutions Section 71 to 75B. (UK) *LEGISLATION*
- Walker, P (1980). ‘The Walker Report’: Report on the interchange of intelligence between Special Branch and CID and on the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) Units Involved including those in Crime Branch. – specifically Paragraphs 7 to 26 (Redacted and released in 2018) *INTERNAL POLICY / PRACTICE*
- Undercover Policing Inquiry (UK) *INDEPENDENT INQUIRY*
- US Attorney General (2002). The Attorney General’s Guidelines Regarding the Use of Confidential Informants. (USA) *POLICY GUIDANCE*
Enquiries
For enquiries about any of our activities, please contact Dr Ian Stanier.