text: FM 2-22.3_________________________________________________________________________________
  • Documentation of the use of separation, including photographs and/or
  videotaping, if appropriate and available (see para 5-54).
  M-24. Separation is only authorized for use in interrogation operations, not
  for other Military Source Operations. Separation may be approved for use in
  combination with authorized approach techniques. General controls and
  safeguards contained in this manual must be applied during the use
  separation, in conjunction with the safeguards specific to the separation
  technique. Planning must consider the possible cumulative effect of
  using multiple techniques and take into account the age, sex, and
  health of detainees, as appropriate.
  TECHNICAL CONTROL
  M-25. Requests for approval of separation will be forwarded (for information
  purposes only) via secure means through intelligence technical channels at
  the same time as they are sent through command channels. Intelligence
  technical channels are those used for forwarding of source information and
  technical parameters of collection operations from lower to higher and
  passing tasking specifics, source information, technical control measures, and
  other sensitive information from higher to lower. The technical chain extends
  from the HCT through the OMT and Operations Section (if one exists) to the
  C/J/G/S2X.
  APPLICATION OF SEPARATION TECHNIQUE
  M-26. The purpose of separation is to deny the detainee the opportunity to
  communicate with other detainees in order to keep him from learning
  counter-resistance techniques or gathering new information to support a
  cover story, decreasing the detainee's resistance to interrogation. Separation
  does not constitute sensory deprivation, which is prohibited. For the purposes
  of this manual, sensory deprivation is defined as an arranged situation
  causing significant psychological distress due to a prolonged absence, or
  significant reduction, of the usual external stimuli and perceptual
  opportunities. Sensory deprivation may result in extreme anxiety,
  hallucinations, bizarre thoughts, depression, and anti-social behavior.
  Detainees will not be subjected to sensory deprivation.
  M-27. Physical separation is the best and preferred method of separation. As
  a last resort, when physical separation of detainees is not feasible, goggles or
  blindfolds and earmuffs may be utilized as a field expedient method to
  generate a perception of separation.
  M-28. Objectives:
  • Physical Separation: Prevent the detainee from communicating with
  other detainees (which might increase the detainee's resistance to
  interrogation) and foster a feeling of futility.
  • Field Expedient Separation: Prolong the shock of capture. Prevent the
  detainee from communicating with other detainees (which might
  increase the detainee's resistance to interrogation) and foster a feeling
  of futility.