Reading Room Document

Legal Review of Department of Defense Draft Documents Regarding Treatment and Interrogation of Detainees

This opinion memorializes advice given to the DOD on the legality of six "restricted interrogation techniques," listed in Army Field Manual 2-22.3, Appendix M of FM 2-22.3. The techniques include "Mutt and Jeff," "False Flag," "Separation," and three "Adjustments" (details of the techniques are redacted from the published opinion). The opinion concludes that they are consistent with the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 and other requirements of law since there is compelling government interest justifying the use of the techniques. The OLC does not provide release dates for its opinions, so the release date listed is the date on which the opinion was authored. The original opinion is available at https://justice.gov/olc/docs/aclu-ii-041306-2.pdf.

April 13, 2006