geoswan's Journal: Tricking Guantanamo detainees...

I came across something noteworthy in this Guantanamo Bay dossier.

This case is one of the ones where the detainee seems innocent. His story seems credible. And he passed several polygraphs, and CVSA tests. From the way he describes the CVSA to his Tribunal, it was presented to him as an even more definitive test than the polygraph.

So, what is a CVSA? Computerized Voice Stress Analysis.

For some reason a memo was left in his dossier about the reliability of the CVSA.

############MAJ (H)

From: Taylor, David L. COL (H)
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2004 10:00 AM
To: JTFGTMO-OARDEC-ALL
Subject: FW: (U) CSRT using CVSA results

Classification: U N C L A S S I F I E D
Caveats: FOUO

read and heed as necessary
Thanks
8-4041

----Original Message------
From: ########CIV (H)
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2004 7:49 AM
To: #################################################
Cc: ######################
Subject: RE: (U) CSRT using CVSA results

#####

as a matter of fact, I overheard one of the OARDEC members talking about CVSA yesterday. I explained there were many reliability issues surrounding this, but I didn't know if they were going to move forward with their request. Nevertheless, I will ensure this gets pushed through to Col. Taylor and subsequently passed along to the rest of the OARDEC crew.

R#####

----Original Message------
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2004 7:39 AM
To: XXXXXXXXXX (E-mail)
Cc: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Subjects: (U) CSRT using CVSA results

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Information has filtered down to XXXXXXX/CITF Polygraph coordinator) that OARDEC is requesting the CVSA (Computer Voice Stress Analyzer) results used by JTFGTMO in their interrogations. The thing with this is that OSD (specifically the Under Secretary of Defense Stephen Cambone) has severely limited their "official" utilization of the procedure to only as a "prop" to elicit information. Utilization of the CSVA as a "Truth" credibility assessment has been denied by OSD and no official reports indicating the veracity of the subject are to be released. This could pose problems for OARDEC if those unofficial reports by JTF-GTMO are entered into the tribunal process (or used in any manner actually), as tainting the process. If this is true, highly recommend OARDEC not pursue this angle, as OSD policy has specifically indicated the technology is not authorized. The only authorized instrument/technology for statement verifiecation is the polygraph. The points of contact at OSD on this matter are XXXXXXXXXX (DUSD, CI&S) XXXXXXXXXX or e-mail XXXXXXXXXXXX Also XXXXXXXXXXXX CIFA XXXXXXXXXXX or e-mail XXXXXXXXXXX XXXX can you verify that OARDEC is in fact requesting these CSVA reports from JTF-GTMO?

Thanks
XXXXXXXXXXX

Office of Administrative Review of Detained Enemy Combatants - CITF LNO Comm -