Scientists Call Harsh Interrogations Unreliable
A science board says harsh interrogation techniques used on suspected terrorists are amateurish and unreliable.
Evidence does not suggest that harsh methods work, according to a New York Times summary of the researchers’ views. The scientists were commissioned by the Intelligence Science Board and wrote a 325-page critical report.
Some of these scientists argue that interrogators should instead look to persuasive techniques used by veteran detectives and sophisticated marketers.
The Bush administration is finalizing an executive order that will set new rules for interrogations by the Central Intelligence Agency. It is expected to ban waterboarding and other harsh techniques, but to authorize some “enhanced” methods that go beyond those allowed by the Army Field Manual.
