GUIDELINES ON INTERROGATIONS CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO THE PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM OF NOTIFICATION OF 17 SEPTEMBER 2001

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06063083
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: February 27, 2020
• Case Number: F-2009-01030
• Publication Date: January 28, 2003

Approved for Release: 2020/02/25 C06063083
Guidelines on Interrogations Conducted Pursuant to the
Presidential Nem,randum of Notification of 17 September 2001
These Guidelines address the conduct of interrogations of
persons who are detained pursuant to the authorities set
forth in the Memorandum of Notification of 17 September 2001
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
These Guidelines complement internal Directorate of
Operations guidance relating to the conduct of
interrogations. In the event of any inconsistency between
existing DO guidance and these Guidelines, the provisions of
these Guidelines shall control.
1. Permissible Interrogation Techniques
Unless otherwise approved by Headquarters, CIA
.officers and other personnel acting on behalf of CIA may use
--unly-Permisaible-Interrogation-Techniques. Permissible
Interrogation Techniques consist of both (a) Standard
Techniques and (b) Enhanced Techniques.
Standard Techniques are techniques that do not
incorporate physical or substantial psychological pressure.
These techniques include, but are not limited to, all lawful
forms of questioning employed by US law enforcement and
military interrogation personnel. Among Standard Techniques
are the use of isolation, sleep deprivation not to exceed
72 hours, reduced caloric intake (so long as the amount is
calculated to maintain the general health of the detainee),
deprivation of reading material, use of loud music or white
noise (at a decibel level calculated to avoid damage to the
detainee's hearing), and the use of diapers for limited
periods (generally not to exceed 72 hours, or during
transportation. where appropriate) .
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Guideline on Interrogations Conducted Pursuant to the
Presidential Memorandaum of Notification of 17 September 2001
Enhanced Techniaues are techniques that do
incorporate physical or psychological pressure beyond
Standard Techniques. The use of each specific Enhanced
Technique must be approved by Headquarters in advance, and
may be employed only by approved interrogators for use with
the specific detainee, with appropriate medical and
psychological participation in the process. These techniques
are, the attention grasp, walling, the facial hold, the
facial slap (insult slap); the abdominal slap, cramped
confinement, wall standing, stress positions, sleep
deprivation beyond 72 hours, the use of diapers for prolonged
periods, the use of harmless insects, the water board, and
such other techniques as may be specifically approved
pursuant to paragraph 4 below. The use of each Enhanced
Technique is subject to specific temporal, physical, and
related conditions, including a competent evaluation of the
medical and psychological state of the detainee.
2. Medical and Psychological Personnel
Appropriate medical and psychological personnel shall
be either on site or readily available for consultation and
travel to the interrogation site during all detainee
interrogations employing Standard TechEiques, and appropriate
medical and psychological personnel must be on site during
all detainee interrogations employing Enhanced Techniques.
In each case, the medical and psychological personnel shall
suspend the interrogation if they determine that significant
and prolonged physical or mental injury, pain, or suffering
is likely to result if the interrogation is not suspended.
In any such instance, the interrogation team shall
immediately report the facts to Headquarters for management
and legal review to determine whether the interrogation may
be resumed.
3. Interrogation Personnel
The Director, DCI Counterterrorist Center shall
ensure that all personnel directly engaged in the
interrogation of persons detained pursuant to the authorities
set forth in the MoN have been appropriately screened (from
the medical, psychological, and security standpoints), have
reviewed these Guidelines, have received appropriate training
in their implementation, and have completed the attached
Acknowledgment.
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Guideline on Interrogations Conducted Pursuant to the
Presidential Memorandaum of Notification of 17 September 2001
4. Approvals Required
Whenever feasible, advance approval is required for
the use of Standard Techniques by an interrogation team. In
all instances, their use shall be documented in cable
traffic. Prior approval in writing (e.g., by written
memorandum or in cable traffic) from the Director, DCI
Counterterrorist Center, with the concurrence of the Chief,
CTC Legal Group, is required for the use of any Enhanced
Technique(s), and may be provided only where D/CTC has
determined that (a) the specific detainee is believed to
possess information about risks to the citizens of the United
States or other nations, (b) the use of the Enhanced
Technique(s) is appropriate in order to obtain that
information, (c) appropriate medical and psychological
personnel have concluded that the use of the Enhanced
Technique(s) is not expected to produce -severe physical or
mental pain or suffering," and (d) the personnel authorized
to employ the Enhanced Technique(s) have completed the
attached Acknowledgment. Nothing in these Guidelines alters
the right to act in self-defense.
5. Recordkeeping
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
In each interrogation session in which an Enhanced
Technique is employed, a contemporaneous record shall be
created setting forth the nature and duration of each such
technique employed, the identities of those present, and a
citation to the required Headquarters approval cable. This
information, which may be in the form of a cable, shall be
provided to Headquarters.
APPROVED:
10#1 04 a &ZS
Intelligence Date
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Guideline on Interrogations Conducted Pursuant to the
Presidential Memorandaum of Notification of 17 September 2001
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
, acknowledge that I have read and
understand and will comply with the "Guidelines on
. Interrogations Conducted Pursuant to the Presidential
Memorandum of Notification of 17 September 2001" of
2003.
ACKNOWLEDGED:
Name Date
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