Extracts information by removing underwear? (8)

I believe the answer is:

debriefs

'extracts information' is the definition.

'removing underwear?' is the wordplay.
'removing' becomes 'de' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'underwear?' becomes 'briefs' (I've seen this before).
'de'+'briefs'='DEBRIEFS'

'by' is the link.

(Another definition for debriefs that I've seen is " Asks questions about a completed mission".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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