Enhanced Interrogation

Introduction

On 16 April 2009, US Department of Justice released legal memos detailing coercive interrogation techniques used with terrorism suspects during Bush administration. The release of these documents has fuelled international controversy over use of so-called 'enhanced interrogation techniques' (including torture) to extract information from terrorist suspects, despite strong ethical and legal objections. The use of such techniques appears motivated by folk psychology that is demonstrably incorrect. Solid scientific clues of how recurring and farthest tension and agony sway memory and boss purposes (such as designing or forming aims) proposes that these methods are improbable to do any thing other than converse of that proposed by coercive or ' enhanced' interrogation. (Fuchs 417)

The released memos do not present in any detail underlying neuropsychobiological model motivating pro-torture or pro-coercion position; nor do they discuss or reference contemporary and relevant cognitive neuroscientific literature; in addition, they only mention Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of American Psychiatric Association in context of psychiatric risk associated with torture. Although memos mention consultations with psychologists and health professionals, advice of these professionals has not been released and therefore cannot be assessed. (Arnsten 410)

Discussion and Analysis

From reading memos, underlying neuropsychobiological model appears to be following: person possesses information (by definition, this information is in their long-term memory, that is, enduring personal register of experience, events and facts that lasts at least for minutes and can extend to decades); they intentionally withhold this information under questioning; applying certain non-verbal techniques over prolonged periods of time (press and other reports indicate up to six months or more) will facilitate release of this information from long-term memory by captive. (Sauro 235)

The memos do not fully articulate mechanisms by which coercion makes captives reveal such information. Nevertheless, they appear to be based on idea that repeatedly inducing shock, stress, anxiety, disorientation and lack of control is more effective than are standard interrogatory techniques in making suspects reveal information. Information retrieved from memory in this way is assumed to be reliable and veridical, as suspects will be motivated to end interrogation by revealing this information from long-term memory. No supporting data for this model are provided; in fact, model is unsupported by scientific evidence. (Kim 453)

Box 1. Non-verbal CIA methods formerly used with terrorist suspects

• Attention grasp: '…grasping individual with both hands...on each side of collar opening, in controlled and quick motion. In same motion… individual is drawn toward interrogator.'

• Facial hold: '...to hold head immobile. One open palm is placed on either side of individual's face.'

• Facial slap: '… interrogator slaps individual's face with fingers slightly spread. The hand makes contact with area directly between tip of individual's chin and bottom of corresponding earlobe…to induce shock, surprise, and/or humiliation.'

• Walling: '...The individual is placed with his heels touching wall.

The interrogator pulls individual forward and then quickly and firmly pushes individual into wall. It is individual's shoulder blades that hit wall… head and neck are supported with rolled hood or towel…to help prevent whiplash false wall is…constructed to create loud sound when individual ...