Alternative Interrogation Method With the Essay

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 1064 words ( 4 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 2

Page 1 of 4

.. information or a confession, punishing him for an act he... has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him (qtd. "United Nations").

The effects of the Abu Gharib scandal, and the other interrogation concerns coming from Guantanamo Bay, led to the recently passed Military Commissions Act, which further clarifies the United States' position on the use of alternative interrogation methods and what is and is not acceptable, including the discontinuance of the use of waterboarding.

Again, although the use of alternative interrogation techniques, such as sleep deprivation or long time standing have the same goals of information retrieval, their similarities end there. Standard interrogation does not involve coercive methods. Prisoners or sources may be mentally intimidated, but they do not suffer physical or mental harm. Even the information garnered can be vastly different. Information received by standard interrogation methods is typically considered more reliable than that of alternative methods, given the coercive nature. When subjected to the physical and mental anguish of alternative interrogation techniques it is possible that prisoners would admit to anything or even make up information simply to end the interrogation process.

Other forms of interrogation that are less cruel than that of washboarding and long-term standing include the use of GABAergic drugs, such as sodium amytal, to increase suggestibility.

Stuck Writing Your "Alternative Interrogation Method With The" Essay?

View All Our Example Alternative Interrogation Method With the Essay

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

In addition, there is the use of the Reid technique, which is a nine-step interrogation process that involves factual and behavioral analysis. In the case of the Reid technique, it may be difficult to apply when dealing with suspects from other cultures ("Interrogation").

In addition, the effectiveness, of these techniques, on terrorists is questionable, which is why alternative methods have been employed.

Sullivan discusses the use of alternative interrogation methods and positions himself as equating the use of these practices to torture. Certainly, in the case of Abu Gharib, alternative interrogation techniques went beyond what would be considered humane and necessary and landed in the realm of cruel and vile. However, the garnering of information from suspects is a vital part of keeping America safe, and Sullivan does not offer any suggestions for effective means of obtaining this information, instead he merely criticizes what has been done.

Perhaps the five years that has past since September 11th has dulled Sullivan's senses to the reality of what America faces in its vulnerability to terrorism. But, if one person standing on a box, who is never in any real danger of being harmed, or one person who is forced to go without sleep, gave information that would prevent a second September 11th from occurring, than it would be worth it......

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Alternative Interrogation Method With The" (2006, November 26) Retrieved April 27, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/alternative-interrogation-method-41490

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Alternative Interrogation Method With The" 26 November 2006. Web.27 April. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/alternative-interrogation-method-41490>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Alternative Interrogation Method With The", 26 November 2006, Accessed.27 April. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/alternative-interrogation-method-41490
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example