Office of Scientific Intelligence

The Office of Scientific Intelligence (OSI) is an elite branch of the Central Intelligence Agency dedicated to scientific and technological research advances both in the laboratory and in the field. OSI personnel are tasked with a variety of missions and responsibilities, including development of new technologies, investigation of new and foreign technologies, interception of rogue technologies, as well as assisting domestic and international law enforcement agencies in the pursuit and interdiction of rogue scientists.

History

On December 31, 1948, the CIA formed the Office of Scientific Intelligence (OSI), by merging the Scientific Branch in the Office of Reports and Estimates with the Nuclear Energy Group of the Office of Special Operations.

In 1962, the CIA formed the Deputy Directorate of Research (DDR), headed by Herbert Scoville. Under it was the newly formed Office of Special Activities, along with the Office of ELINT and the Office of Research and Development, which were quickly integrated into the DDR. However, the OSI remained part of the Directorate of Operations.

In 1964 Presidential science adviser Theodore Welles was named director of the OSI.

Team Zero

See OSI Team Zero for more detail.

OSI Team Zero is a special activities team functioning with OSI. The team consists of specially trained field operatives recruited from other OSI special operations groups.

The Black Box

See also OSI and Magic

The Black Box is the colloquial name of a rumored team of esoteric specialists who study and contemplate the deepest mysteries of the cosmos. Officially, the group does not exist, and none of its members are known. If such a group did exist, it would be so secret that any information known about the group would likely be false.

Key CIA Personnel Associated with Team Zero

Director of CIA: Allen W. Dulles

Director of Operations: Richard M. Helms

Deputy Director of Operations: Geoffrey Abrams

Director of OSI: Theodore Welles