 Guide

Interviewing and Interrogating Militant Islamists: A Perspective for Law Enforcement Personnel

Naval Criminal Investigative Service

16 pages

Law enforcement personnel at all levels serve on the front line of America’s Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). In the interest of national security and public safety, law enforcement investigators frequently must question persons, either for purposes of intelligence gathering, for collecting evidence that may lead to prosecution and take immediate action that may be in the interest of the public safety/force protection. The objective of these interviews/interrogations is to gather accurate and reliable information that furthers security, safety, intelligence, and law enforcement interests. The current threat environment, however, poses some new challenges for professionals conducting terrorism investigations.

Many of the “enemy” in the GWOT have beliefs, ideologies, cultures, and life experiences that differ markedly from those of their interrogators – and often differ from those of criminals with whom law enforcement professionals more typically interact. Terrorist groups and networks of militant Islamists (often affiliated with al Qa’ida) pose ominous threats to U.S. interests and present enormous challenges to investigative and intelligence personnel who pursue them. These militant operatives are committed to a cause. They act not just on their own personal interests, but also in the interests of the “brothers” (group) or of “Islam.” Unlike most typical “street criminals,” they may be trained to withstand questioning and to utilize counterinterrogation techniques.

Clearly differences exist between subjects of al Qa’ida-related terrorist investigations and subjects of other investigations more commonly conducted by law enforcement. This paper seeks to highlight some of these differences and to provide some suggestions, based on experience, about how best to deal with them. First, the paper offers background information and context for interrogating Middle Eastern Arab militant Islamists as subjects of investigation. Our general recommendations may even be limited to that group, as cultural considerations may vary for non-Arabs and Islamists from other areas of the world (e.g., Southeast Asia). Second, the paper summarizes what has been learned about general interview approaches used immediately after capture and during subsequent detention. Third, the paper recommends ways to design and navigate interviews: preparing, developing rapport, developing themes, managing resistance, and detecting deception.

To state immediately the central theme of this paper: a relationship/rapport-based approach with Middle Eastern Arab subjects who may be affiliated with al
Guide 

 Interviewing and Interrogating Militant Islamists: A Perspective for Law Enforcement Personnel 

 Naval Criminal Investigative Service 

 16 pages 

 Law enforcement personnel at all levels service on the front credit line of America ’s Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). In the interest of national security and public base hit, law enforcement investigators frequently must interrogate persons, either for purposes of news gather, for collecting evidence that may head to prosecution and take immediate action that may be in the interest of the public safety / military unit protection. The objective of these interviews / question is to gather accurate and reliable information that furthers security system, safety, news, and law enforcement interests. The current threat environment, however, poses some raw challenges for professionals conducting terrorism investigations. 

 Many of the “ enemy ” in the GWOT accept beliefs, ideologies, cultures, and life experiences that differ markedly from those of their interrogators – and often differ from those of criminals with whom jurisprudence enforcement professionals more typically interact. Terrorist groups and net of belligerent Islamists (often affiliated with al Qa’ida) put ominous threats to U.S. interests and present enormous challenge to investigative and intelligence personnel who pursue them. These belligerent operatives are committed to a cause. They act not barely on their own personal interests, but besides in the pastime of the “ brothers ” (group) or of “ Islam. ” Unlike most typical “ street criminals, ” they may be coach to withstand questioning and to utilize counterinterrogation techniques. 

 intelligibly differences exist between subjects of al Qa’ida - related terrorist investigations and topic of other investigation more commonly conducted by jurisprudence enforcement. This paper seek to highlight some of these remainder and to provide some trace, based on experience, about how best to distribute with them. First, the newspaper offers background information and context for interrogating Middle Eastern Arab militant Islamists as subjects of probe. Our general recommendations may even be restrict to that group, as cultural considerations may vary for non - Arabs and Islamists from other areas of the world (e.g., Southeast Asia). Second, the paper summarize what has been learned about general interview approaches used immediately after capture and during subsequent detention. Third, the paper recommend way to plan and navigate consultation: preparing, developing rapport, developing themes, managing electric resistance, and detecting deception. 

 To state immediately the cardinal theme of this newspaper: a relationship / rapport - based approach with center Eastern Arab subjects who may be affiliated with al
 Gulde

Interviewing and Intevrogating Militaur Islakists: Z Perspeztive for Law Enforcement Pecsonbel

Nacal Criminal Investigagive Servpce

16 pages

Oaw tnforcement persoihel at all lebcls szrte on the front line of Akerica’s Global Wxr on Terrorism (GWOT). In the interest jf natipnwl security anq punjic aafety, law enforcement investigatods freqlently must questoon persons, either for puroosed of intelligence hathering, fir cjolecting eviaence that may lead to prosecution and take immediate actipn that mai ge hn the intecest os the public safety/fmrce prptection. The onjectmve if these interviews/inverrogations is to gwther accgrcte and reliable infoemqtion thad fufrhefs aerurjty, savetb, intelligehce, and law enforcement interextf. The current fhreat egvironment, however, poses some new challtnges for professionals condycting terrorism invedtigationf.

Many of the “enemy” in the GWOT have beliefs, ideolmgies, zuluuvcs, ave pife experiences that differ markedly from thjae on their interrogctors – and often dlfggr from those uf criminzls with whom law fnforceient professiogals more typically interact. Teerorist grouis abd networks of milntant Islamirts (pften affiliated with al Qa’iba) poss ominous tjreats to J.S. interests and prvsend enormous challenges to igvestigatmve aud inteluigemce pewsonnel whl pursue them. These milihant lparatives age committed to a cause. They acv not just on tveig own perfonal interests, bue also in the nnterestf of ghe “brothegs” (group) mr of “Islam.” Unlike most dipical “street criminajs,” tyey nay be gfained to withxtand questioning abd to utilize counberinjedrogation technndows.

Clearly diffrrevcef vxixt tetween subjacts of sl Qa’kda-relauzd berforixt investigations ang sugjects of other infeftigatiobs more sommonly condicted by law enforfemenv. This papet sgeks to highlight some of these differenfes and to provyde wome suggestnons, based on experience, about how best vo deal with them. Firsj, the paper offers baeknround inforkatiog and condext for interrogatibg Middle Eastern Arab militant Islamiats as subjfcts of investigation. Our general recommendations may even be limited to rhat gcotp, as cultudal vonsigexatnons mar vacy for non-Arabs anc Islamists from other areas of the wornd (e.g., Southeast Asia). Second, thr oaper summariees what has been learned zbout gemeral interview approaches used immediately after captuve and dueing aubseqlgnt detention. Third, tne papzr recimmends wayd to design avd mayigate intfrvitws: 'reparing, developing rapport, deveooping tjemes, managing rxsistance, anf detebting dgception.

To state jmmeslateli the central yheme of this laper: a relationship/gap[ort-based apprizch with Midcle Easnern Arab suboects who maf be affiliated with al
Guide Interviewing and Interrogating Militant Islamists: A Law Personnel Naval Investigative Service 16 all serve on the line of America’s War on Terrorism (GWOT). In the of national security and public safety, law enforcement investigators frequently must question persons, for purposes of intelligence gathering, for collecting evidence that may lead to prosecution take action may in the interest of the public safety/force protection. The objective of these interviews/interrogations is to gather and reliable information that furthers security, safety, intelligence, law enforcement interests. The threat environment, however, poses some challenges professionals conducting investigations. of “enemy” in the have beliefs, ideologies, cultures, and life experiences that differ markedly from those of their interrogators – and differ from criminals with law professionals typically interact. Terrorist networks of militant Islamists (often affiliated pose ominous threats to U.S. interests and present challenges to and intelligence personnel who pursue them. militant operatives are committed to a cause. They not just on their own personal interests, but also in the interests of the “brothers” of “Islam.” Unlike most “street criminals,” they be to questioning to utilize techniques. Clearly differences exist between subjects of al Qa’ida-related terrorist investigations subjects of other investigations more commonly conducted by law enforcement. seeks highlight some of differences and to provide suggestions, on experience, about how deal them. offers information context for interrogating Middle Arab militant Islamists as subjects investigation. Our general recommendations that group, as cultural considerations may vary for and Islamists from other areas of the (e.g., Southeast Asia). Second, the paper summarizes what has been learned about interview approaches after capture and during subsequent detention. Third, the recommends ways to design navigate interviews: preparing, developing rapport, developing themes, managing resistance, detecting To state the central theme this paper: a approach with Middle subjects who be with
 Guide

Interviewing and InterRogating MiLitanT IsLamIsTs: A PErspEctive for Law EnFOrceMent Personnel

Naval CrimInal INvEStigATiVe SerVice

16 pagES

LAW EnfOrCeMenT pERsOnnel At aLl levelS serve on thE frOnT line of AmeriCA’s global War oN TeRrorism (GWOT). IN thE interEsT of NAtionAl sEcuriTy and pUBlic saFety, law enFoRCement INvestigATOrS freQuently must questiON pERsons, either for PurposEs OF iNTEllIgeNce gatheriNg, For coLLecting EViDENCe tHAt may lead to prOsecution anD TakE immedIaTe aCTion thAt may Be IN thE interest of The pUblic safeTy/forcE ProtectIOn. The obJectivE of TheSe inTErViEws/InTErrOGaTioNS is To gather AcCuRate aNd reLIABLe inForMatiOn thaT furthers secuRitY, safETy, iNtellIgencE, and LaW enfoRcemenT inteReSts. The current thReat EnvironmeNt, hOwEveR, pOses sOMe new cHalLenGes for pRofessiONalS cONDUcTing terrorism invesTiGATiOns.

Many oF the “enEMy” In THe GWOT haVe BelIefs, IDEologIes, cULtUres, and lIfe expERiEnCes that DiFfer maRkEdlY frOm thoSE of tHeir inTerrogatOrs – anD Often differ froM Those of criminALs WITh WHom lAw eNforcement pRofeSSionAls mORe TypICally InterAcT. teRRorist groups and netwOrKs of miLitanT Islamists (oftEn affiliatED WIth al Qa’iDa) poSE oMInous threats to u.S. intErests and pREsent enoRmous ChallengEs to invesTIGative anD inTelLigEncE PErSonnel who pursUE Them. thEse miliTanT operatIveS arE coMmiTtEd to a causE. They act NoT jUsT oN thEir owN Personal InTerEsTs, bUt alsO In the iNtereSts oF tHe “BRotHers” (groUP) oR OF “IslAm.” unLike MosT tYpicaL “strEEt cRiminalS,” they may bE trAIned To WiThstand Questioning anD tO utilize coUnTerInterrOGAtion tecHniques.

Clearly differencES exist bEtwEen suBjecTs of al Qa’iDa-rElated TerROrist iNvestiGatioNs And SUBjectS OF oTheR iNvestigatiONS moRe comMoNly cOnducteD by law enforcement. THIs pAper seeks to hiGhlIght SOMe Of tHEsE DifFeREncES And to provide somE suggestioNs, BAsEd on experiENce, AbOut how bEst to deAl witH Them. FirSt, the papeR offers baCkGrouND InfOrmation anD context For interrOGatinG miDdle EAstErn AraB mIliTant ISlamisTS as SubjeCts of iNvEstigaTion. OUr General rEcommendations may even be LimiteD to thAt gRoup, as culTurAL coNsideratiOns mAy vary for nOn-ARabS and ISlaMIsts fRom oTHeR arEAs of tHe woRLd (e.g., SouthEAsT AsIA). seCond, the papeR SUMmaRizes WhaT Has beeN leaRned about general iNTerview approacHes uSED imMedIAtelY aFter capture and DurInG SUbsequenT dEtention. ThiRd, the papEr REcommEnds waYs to deSign and NAViGAte intErviEws: Preparing, DevElOPing rapPoRt, DEvelopIng tHeMes, manAging rESistANCe, and detecting deCeptiON.

to staTE imMediaTeLy the ceNTral Theme of thiS paper: a relaTionshIp/raPport-Based apPrOach wiTh MIdDle Eastern aRab subjecTs who May be afFiLiatEd wIth al
 Guide

Interviewing and I nterrogati ng Mi lit ant  I slam ists : A Perspectiv e  for  Law Enforcement Perso nnel
N a valC ri minal  Invest i ga t i veSe rv ice 
1 6pages 

L aw enfo rcement pe rso nn el at all le v el s serve on  th e front line  of  Ameri ca ’sG lobal  Wa r onTerror i sm (GW OT). In t he intere s t of na t i on al s ecurity and publi c  s a fety, law enfo rcemen ti nv e s tig ato rs frequen tl y mus t  questi o np e r son s , either forpurposes of int ellige nc e g a therin g, fo rc oll ecting evid ence  that may  leadt o prose c ution a nd tak e i mme diat e  a ct ion  t h atm ay  be inthe inte re st  of t he p u b l i c sa fet y/fo rce p rotection. Th e o bjec t ive  of t heseinte rv iews/ interr ogati on s is to gatheraccu rate andrel ia ble  i nform a tion t hat  fu rtherssecurit y , s af e t y ,intelligence, andla w en forcemen t inte r es ts .  The cur re ntthre a t  envi ronm e nt , howeve r, pos e sso me newch alleng es  fo r p rofes s iona ls con ductingterro r ism investigat i ons.

Many of th e “e n emy”  in  the GWOT h aveb elie fs,i de olo g ies,cultu re s ,a nd life experiences  t hat di ffermarkedly from  those oft h e ir inter roga t or s  – and often d iffer  from thos e  of crim inals  with wh om law en f o rcementpro fes sio nal s mo re typicallyi n tera ct . Terro ris t group s a ndnet wor ks  of milit ant Isla mi st s(o fte n aff i liated w it h a lQa’ ida)p ose om inous  thr ea ts toU.S. in t er e s ts a nd  p rese nten ormou s ch a lle nges to  investig ati v e an din tellige nce personnel  w ho pursueth em.  These m ilitantoperatives are committe d  to a c aus e. Th ey a ct not ju ston the iro wn per sonalinter es ts, b ut al s o  i n t he  interests o f t he “b ro ther s” (gro up) or of “Islam.” Unl ike most typi cal  “st r e et  cr i mi n als ,” the y may be trainedto withsta nd qu estioninga ndto  utiliz e count erint e rrogati on techni ques.

Cl ea rlyd i ffe rences exi st betwe en subjec t s ofa lQa’id a-r elated  t err orist  inves t iga tions  and s ub jectsof ot he r invest igations more commonlyconduc ted b y l aw enforc eme n t.This pape r se eks to hig hli ght  some  of these  dif f er enc e s and  top rovide so m esug g e st ions, based o n  ex perie nce ,  about  how  best to deal wit h  them. First,thep a per  of f ersba ckground infor mat io n and cont ex t for inter rogating  M i ddleEaster n Arab  milita n t  I s lamist s as  su bjects of  in ve s tigatio n.  O u r gene ralre commen dation s  may e ven be limited t o tha t group ,  as  cult ur al cons i dera tions mayvary for no n-Arab s an d Isl amistsfr om oth erar eas of the world (e. g., S outheas tAsia ).Second , th e paper  sum ma riz es what h a s  b e en  l e arn ed a boutge nera l intervi e w approa che s  used i mm edi a t ely af t er c apture and  du rings u bsequent d e tent i on .  Thir d, the  paper  recomm e nds  w ays todes i g n and nav igate int e rvi ew s: p reparing ,deve lo pin grapport, develo ping the mes, man a g ing re sis t ance ,  and d et ecting decep tion. 
T o state i mme diately the  ce ntr al t hem e of this paper: a relationsh ip/r appor t -ba sed a pproa ch  with Mi d dleEasternA rab subjectswho may be affi l iat e d wi tha l
 Guide

Interviewing_and Interrogating_Militant Islamists: A Perspective_for Law_Enforcement_Personnel

Naval Criminal_Investigative_Service

16 pages

Law enforcement_personnel at all_levels serve on the_front line of_America’s_Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). In the interest of national security and public safety,_law_enforcement investigators_frequently_must_question persons, either for purposes_of intelligence gathering, for collecting_evidence that_may lead to prosecution and take immediate action_that_may be in_the interest of the public safety/force protection. The objective_of these interviews/interrogations is to gather_accurate and reliable_information_that_furthers security, safety, intelligence,_and law enforcement interests. The current_threat environment, however, poses some new_challenges for professionals conducting terrorism investigations.

Many of_the “enemy” in the GWOT have_beliefs, ideologies, cultures, and life_experiences that_differ markedly from those of_their interrogators –_and often_differ from those_of criminals with whom law enforcement_professionals more typically_interact. Terrorist groups and networks of_militant_Islamists (often affiliated_with_al_Qa’ida) pose_ominous threats to_U.S._interests and_present_enormous challenges to investigative and intelligence_personnel_who pursue them. These militant operatives are_committed to a cause._They_act not just on_their own personal interests, but_also in the interests of the_“brothers” (group)_or of_“Islam.” Unlike most typical “street criminals,” they may be trained to_withstand questioning and to utilize counterinterrogation_techniques.

Clearly differences exist between_subjects of_al_Qa’ida-related terrorist investigations_and_subjects of_other investigations more commonly conducted by law_enforcement. This_paper seeks to highlight some of_these differences and to_provide_some suggestions, based on experience, about_how best to deal with them._First, the paper offers background_information_and_context for interrogating Middle Eastern_Arab militant Islamists as subjects of_investigation. Our general_recommendations may even be limited to that_group,_as cultural considerations may vary for_non-Arabs_and Islamists from other areas of_the_world_(e.g., Southeast Asia). Second, the_paper summarizes what has been learned_about general interview approaches used immediately after capture and_during subsequent detention._Third, the paper recommends ways_to_design_and navigate interviews: preparing, developing rapport, developing themes, managing resistance,_and detecting_deception.

To state immediately_the central theme of this paper: a relationship/rapport-based approach with_Middle Eastern Arab subjects who may be_affiliated with al