Methods of Interrogation Pows

METHODS OF INTERROGATION OF A PRISONER OF WAR Introduction 1. A Prisoner of war is a mortal, whether combatant or non-combatant, who is held in shackles by an enemy power during or immediately after an build up conflict. The treatment of prisoners has perpetu all toldy been matter of debate in the world and umpteen declarations and resolutions ready been made in this regard including Geneva Convention of 1949. War is a season of confusion and while many suffer from it, there argon many who benefit in the fog of it. The military personnel, whenever caught, have to be treated as PsOW and they have certain rights and privileges.The enemy always utilizes this opportunity to the fullest and employs certain obvious and hidden modes to extract information from the PsOW. Rights of a prisoner of war 2. The prisoner of war can only be interrogated by following the rules and regulations laid down in the Article (v) of Geneva Convention of 1949. A prisoner of war needs only to give his name, military issue and ordain and must remain silent on all tonic(prenominal) matters and stand firm all enemy efforts to extract information from him. In case his rights are violated, the violators are subject to the provisions of international law and they may be tried by the international criminal court.Methods of Interrogation 3. A number of interrogation techniques have been used of approved for use. They include standard host methods in compliance with the Third Geneva Convention, as well as different approaches which are either questionable or clearly run the strictures protecting prisoner of wars. Several of the latter may also violate early(a) limitations outside the scope of human imagination. 4. Numerous devices may be effectively employed by the interrogator to establish mental contact or rapport with POW. At the outset it should be emphasized that the objective of an interrogation is seldom, if ever, to obtain an admission or a confession.The subject is i nterrogated for accurate and certain information. Several common methods interrogation which are being used for the declare oneself by interrogators are briefly discussed below. (a)Show of Knowledge or We know all. In this method, the interrogator familiarizes himself with all available data on the POW and his unit or whatever subject is being explored. He asks questions to which he already has the answers and scornfully answers them himself when the POW hesitates. He is striving to convince the POW that he already knows all the POW does so that resistance is diminished effort.When the prisoner bulge outs giving correct information and answers freely, a few conundrum questions can be slipped in. Dummy questions should still be used from time to time to test the POW, to conceal from him the fact that he is giving new information, and to prevent him from realizing that he is spilling the beans. (b)Stool Pigeons. Enemies infiltrate their own men in the POW camps under the garb of PsOW from other units or dish ups. They make PsOW discuss confused aspects of service amongst themselves and extract information. (c)Consolation.Innocent face uping folks like servants, guards, sweepers try to condole with the PsOW offer small favour and then make efforts to get the requisite information. (d)Bugging. The camps and residences etc of PsOW are bugged and their conversation taped. (e)Favours. Money and other Favours are offered and assurances given up that no damage leave be done to the individual, if he cooperates. (f)Recruitment. A few PsOW are recruited and then utilized for collection of information from other PsOW. (g)Direct approach. In this method the interrogator seemingly lays the cards on the send back, unembellishedly makes no attempt to hide the declare oneself of the questioning.This approach should be used only in cases where the interrogator assumes or knows that the person interrogated will not refuse to give information. (h)Rapid fire questioni ng. This method consists of a quick delivered series of questions which keeps the POW constantly on the defensive and off match thereby weakening resistance an/ or his determination to give evasive answers. When this approach is employed the POW often loses patience, becomes angry, offended, or confused, and begins to talk in self defense. (j)Emotional approach. This method consists of playing upon the emotions of a person in regularise to fix out the required information.When using this method, the interrogator creates an atmosphere of frantic confusion designed to reduce security consciousness. The emotional approach utilizes hate, revenge, fear, jealousy, sadness, pity, and confusable emotions. It also exploits religious and patriotic feelings, sense of social duty, and other concepts found on emotional reactions. (k)Trickery. This method has an almost limitless number of variations. Its purpose is to cause the POW to divulge information without being aware of it, or witho ut a conscious or willful choice in the matter. (l)Censoring.The direct of PsOW is censored. (m)Third Degree Methods. Third degree methods are used to break the PsOW. It is apparent from above that once captured as prisoner of war, the responsibility of a service person increases many folds and he must keep his mouth tightly shut to ensure that no information is leaked out. However, he must look normal and should not give impression of being in obstinance of full information. (n)Propaganda. The PsOW are given propaganda material to read, to hear from radio or from the TV to see to break them down and lower their spirits.This is done to bring their morale down to a certain level where they themselves will start giving information thinking their country might or already has lost the war. (p)Stupid interrogator. In this method the interrogator pretends to be a dopey individual with very little understanding of military or other matters. This device may have the desired effect of dis arming the person interrogated. The POW is required to explain everything (Even inconsequential items) because the interrogator is so stupid. 5. Variations. whatever of the usual methods may be varied in many ways.Here are some variations which might fit into any of the categories of the methods listed in Para 4above. (a)Sympathy. (b)Sternness. (c)Pride and ego. (d)National pride. (e)Face saving. (f)Bluff. (g)Fear. (h)Drawing wariness away from the real object. (j)Threat and rescue. Conclusion 6. There are many others in fact, the variety of methods is limited only by the initiative, imagination, and ingenuity of the interrogator. The interrogation method should be tailored to suit each individual case, and may be combined with other methods to suit special requirements.