Interrogation approach techniques supporting U.S. intelligence and counterterrorism missions: an assessment of the possible need for reform
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Authors
Dudt, Tangalene
Issue Date
2017
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Interrogation , Military , Army FM 2-22.3
Alternative Title
Abstract
The purpose of this project was to determine if the interrogation approach techniques listed in the Army Field Manual (FM) 2-22.3 are effective in counterterrorism today. Although it has been over a decade since the United States went to war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the issue of the Intelligence Community using coercive interrogation techniques on detainees is still fresh in the American mind. In 2009, it was declared that all military and other US government agencies were authorized to use only the approved interrogation approach techniques listed in FM 2-22.3. This project reviewed studies conducted involving the use of these approach techniques, namely self-reported surveys and an experimental intelligence-gathering model, to determine the best approaches effective in collecting actionable intelligence information. It was found that participants believed the approach techniques listed in FM 2-22.3 were effective in obtaining actionable information, largely favoring the more rapport-building approaches. One study determined that the Emotional Approaches listed in FM 2-22.3 were more effective at obtaining information than the use of the Direct Approach, which was ninety percent effective in WWII. Another study determined that two versions of the Scharff technique were also more effective at eliciting information than the use of the Direct Approach. These studies (1) help one understand which interrogation approach techniques are viewed by interrogators as the most effective, as well as (2) calls into question the longstanding notion that the Direct Approach is the most effective interrogation technique.