(DELETED) COMMENTS RE THE PROPOSAL TO USE HYPNOTIZED COURIERS

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00140391
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: September 25, 2024
• Document Release Date: October 4, 1999
• Publication Date: July 15, 1954

Office Memorandum � UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
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TO : Chief, Security Research Staff
FROM : Chief, Technical Iiranch
SUBJECT:
DATE: 15 July 1954
sit- 16,3
� 1. I have examined .proposals and I feel that
I should make -the followirtg comments:
a) The idea of a courier that has been hypnotized is
(1/ not new ad I am absolutely certain
did not iivent this idea. We ourselves lave carried
out much more complex problems than this jand in a
general sense I will agree that it is fe4sib1e.
However, there is no proof whatsoever that the
hypnosis canriot he broken by another competent
hypnotist feels this is possible)
and the entire test has not yet been subjected to
actual field conditions (long travel, time, etc.).
b) As far as third-degree tactics are concerned, we
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do not know as yet what happens to an hypnotized
� individual. under the third-degree or plied with
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chemicals of various types. Whether or not he will
disclose hypnotic material or indicate he possesses
same has not been determined. Again this is a test
that 'we hope to carry out in the future, as you
know.
proposaithat a subject "will have
no knowledge-of ever having been hypnotized" is
debatable. In regard to this, we are not yet certain
.but possibly through the use of subtle chemicals
and/or a very careful cover, it might be done. It
� is conceivable it could be accomplished if the sub- .1
� ject were not unduly suspiciousiextremely naive
or very stupid but again this point is questionable.
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proposal about using hypnotized
individuals as counteragents is also not new and
� we, of course, have discussed this many times.
Whether or not it can in fact be demonstrated we
� are not sure and it is hoped that the field tests
' we are working on may help us along these' lines.
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roposals are, of course, lacking
in qetails and I am quite certain he has never
carried any of these things out except in laboratory
tyre experiments. We, of course, hive been able
.to produce these results but again only 'in laboratory
experiments and I assure you we would not be as
em hatic about the success of these things as
�
f) I think it very important that if does
come to Washington you and I shouIdffV�he oppor-
tunity to discuss at length and in detail his ideas.
g) .If yo ii will recall, among othersiiiiiilo
ago proposed the coIer idea d in some ways
believes that given sufficient time and �the oppor-
tunity for "correct training", he could condition
individuals for these purposes if certain conditions
. were met. . uS you also recall is not
iireatly imp
essed by
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