In criminology or law enforcement, interrogation refers to the process through which a representative from a law enforcement agency gathers information about a crime by questioning suspects, victims, or occasionally witnesses in order to help them solve the crime. The duration of an interrogation might range from a few minutes to several hours. The interrogation procedure might occasionally last for days. The Miranda Rights allow for the interrogation to continue until the subject requests a lawyer. Additionally, it is forbidden for police enforcement to use any cruel or inhumane methods to interrogate suspects. They are expected to maintain the highest level of discipline and be ethical when conducting their interrogation. In most cases, suspects are normally interrogated while in detention camps whereas victims and witnesses can be interrogated at the crime scene or in their homes. Guantanamo Bay is one such camp owned by the United States Government used to detain and interrogate suspects of criminal activities. In the camp, suspects are usually taken through inhumane treatments in an attempt to get information critical to solving the crime from them. Many Civil Rights Groups among them the Amnesty International have protested about the camp being a major issue in human rights. As much as the camp was established for detaining and interrogating criminals, the question remains on how effective it is in sourcing the needed information; and if not effective, then what would be the necessary recommendations for improving the interrogation techniques applied by the officers in the camp to question suspects for effective outcomes.
General Interrogation Techniques used at Guantanamo Bay by the CIA
The techniques employed by the CIA at Guantanamo mostly referred to as “enhanced interrogation techniques” are more of torture than what ethical and professional interrogation would be. After capturing their highly-valued targets, the CIA would subject them to various conditions which are disrespectful of human rights with the aim of retrieving criminal information from them. The following paragraphs describe the various techniques and how ineffective they are in gathering the necessary information from the suspects:
Rectal feeding and rehydration
Rectal feeding and rehydration are one of the inhumane techniques which the CIA interrogators at Guantanamo have used over time to source information from the suspects. Torture reports, for example, have shown that at least five detainees have been subjected to this kind of interrogation. For example, Majid Khan, a resident of the US is among the detainees who have been subjected to the unlawful technique of interrogation. In his case, he describes that he was subjected to rectal feeding and rehydration, where pureed food, sauces, and raisins were rectally infused into his system even without any doctor’s approval. The interrogators of these suspects use the technique as an emblem of their “total control over the suspects.” The method is ineffective and a deprivation of human rights. The suspects even after being subjected to the process did not give any conclusive information to the interrogators. As much as a suspect of crime must be highly guarded, they should never be subjected to such unkind treatments since they are human beings who are entitled to their rights.
Dousing in cold water
Several suspects detained at Guantanamo Bay have also been subjected to dousing in cold water during the process of interrogation. An example of suspects who had been through that interrogation technique is Walid bin Attash who reported that his clothes were removed then inserted in an envelope of cold water for several minutes when he was being interrogated. One unfortunate event occurred in November 2002 when a terror suspect died of hypothermia (cold shock from water). He was stripped naked then doused in water in a cold cell where he later died. Every human being whether criminal or innocent has a right to life unless otherwise found worthwhile by a court of law that the suspect is sentenced to death. A case of suspect dying during interrogation because they have been subjected to ruthless techniques of interrogation is a clear indication of how ineffective the methodology is. The ultimate goal of an interrogation is to obtain information which can be used to prevent further crime or even solve the already committed criminal act. However, if the suspect dies due to torture during interrogation, then obviously there would be no goal achievable at the end of it all thus proving the ineffectiveness.
Waterboarding
Waterboarding is another inhumane technique used by the CIA when conducting their interrogations in Guantanamo Bay interrogation camp. It is a technique which involves covering the face (mouth and nose) of the suspect then water is poured on the cloth to prevent breathing. The process normally takes about 20 to 40 seconds and is repeated several times during the entire period of interrogation. Sheik Mohammed who was believed by the CIA to be the mastermind of the 9/11 attack was subjected to this kind of interrogation and water was poured on his face 183 times. Human Rights Watch (HRW) is worried that the number of suspects being subjected to this kind of interrogation could be more than what the CIA reports indicate. Subjecting suspects to such abusive conditions as a way of interrogation are inappropriate and therefore should not be considered effective even if it is through them that the suspect was able to provide the needed information to solve the crime. However, the technique was successful in providing intelligence to the CIA about the activities of the Al Qaeda and their affiliates because it is after suffocating the suspect with water that he revealed all the information.
Assault and Threats
Several detainees in the camps at Guantanamo Bay have also reported being assaulted by their interrogators. Slaps and facial holds are the most common methods used in this kind of interrogation. Some of the detainees report being tied using a rope on the neck to a pillar and beaten until they bleed. Apart from the assaults, the suspects are also threatened. There are detainees who had been threatened with harm to their families. For example, Nashir, one of the detainees once reported that his interrogators threatened to bring his mother and sexually abuse in front of him whereas others reported that they were threatened that their mothers would be brought before them before their throats are cut off. Some even have pistols put on their heads while blindfolded so as to get threatened and tell the interrogators what they want to hear. This together with the above-discussed techniques are unethical thus cannot be considered effective mechanisms which should be employed by interrogators at Guantanamo Bay detention camp while interrogating the suspects of a crime. Effective interrogation dictates that the suspect should not be subjected to mental or physical torture or harm in the process of interrogation. It has to be noted that using the enhanced interrogation technique which induces pain and mental torture to the detainee will make them say anything just to please the interrogator and get out of the situation they have been put in.
Recommendations for improving Interrogation at Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp
Based on the extent of polarization witnessed in the techniques of interrogation, there are best alternatives and solutions which are both non-aggressive and non-invasive that the CIA interrogators at Guantanamo Bay can employ to obtain intelligence from the suspects without necessarily traumatizing or alienating them. First and foremost, the interrogators can use hormones and pheromones in various scientifically proven ways which can encourage truth while also helping in detecting deception. Studies have shown that use of aerosolized oxytocin can create an environment of trust and also helps in reducing stress and anxiety. The hormone is not injected but rather sprayed in the air and will make the suspect want to say the truth because the environment they are in encourages trust.
Secondly is the use of alternative interrogating methods apart from coercive and aggressive tactics that the CIA interrogators have used for a long time. These methods are motivational and persuasive interrogation which apply the use of familiar voice cadence. The tactic does not require any intimidation factor and works in the same way a doctor would persuade a drug addict to accept their addiction.
Finally, another technique which the CIA can employ at Guantanamo Bay is the use of technology such as voice and visual recording. Video and voice-recorded interrogations are effective in that they can save the country millions of money spent on civil lawsuits. Using such technologies is also effective in detecting any falsified information or the level of truth when repeat interrogations are conducted, and analysis was done.
In conclusion, it is important for the interrogators to understand that the criminal suspects they interview are human beings who also are entitled to human rights and can file lawsuits to ask for compensations due to the torture they undergo in detention camps. The CIA should consider, therefore, devising ways to ensure the effectiveness of their interrogation techniques while also respecting human rights and the human dignity.
Bibliography
Iacopino, Vincent, and Stephen N. Xenakis. “Neglect of medical evidence of torture in Guantanamo Bay: a case series.” PLoS medicine 8, no. 4 (2011):125
Lassiter, G., and Christian A. Meissner. Police interrogations and false confessions: Current research, practice, and policy recommendations. American Psychological Association, (2010):334-336
Lewis, Neil A. “Red Cross finds detainee abuse in Guantanamo.” New York Times 30, no. 11 (2004):34
Ratner, Michael, and Ellen Ray. Guantanamo: What the world should know. Chelsea Green Publishing, (2004):45-54
