Michael Gelles
Encyclopedia
Michael Gelles is an American
forensic psychologist.
He is notable for the role he played in uncovering the unauthorized use of abusive techniques during the interrogation of captives held in extrajudicial detention
, apprehended during the "war on terror
".
Gelles was chief forensic psychologist for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service
(NCIS) in 2002 when he and other senior NCIS officials learned of the unauthorized use of extended techniques on Guantanamo captive Mohammed Al Qahtani, one of the suspected 20th hijacker
s, who was subjected to 58 days of sleep deprivation
.
Gelles was interviewed for the film Torturing Democracy
.
Selections from the interviews appeared in the film where Gelles described how he and his boss at NCIS, Alberto J. Mora
, and their colleagues learned of the use of abusive interrogation techniques, and their reactions.
Prior to his service with the NCIS Gelles was an officer in the United States Navy Medical Corps.
In 1991 he was a Lieutenant Commander
.
Gelles has faced criticism for his role in the treatment of United States Navy
Chief Petty Officer
Daniel King
, in 1999.
Gelles was called in when King had been held without charge, and subjected to 29 days of sleep deprivation, when he told interrogators he was feeling suicidal and requested the help of a mental health professional.
According to King's lawyers their confused and disoriented client's false confession was triggered, in part, due to advice from Gelles that he would feel better once he had confessed.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
forensic psychologist.
He is notable for the role he played in uncovering the unauthorized use of abusive techniques during the interrogation of captives held in extrajudicial detention
Extrajudicial detention
Arbitrary or extrajudicial detention is the detention of individuals by a state, without ever laying formal charges against them.Although it has a long history of legitimate use in wartime , detention without charge, sometimes in secret, has been one of the hallmarks of totalitarian states...
, apprehended during the "war on terror
War on Terror
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
".
Gelles was chief forensic psychologist for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
The United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service is the primary security, counter-intelligence, counter-terrorism, and law enforcement agency of the United States Department of the Navy...
(NCIS) in 2002 when he and other senior NCIS officials learned of the unauthorized use of extended techniques on Guantanamo captive Mohammed Al Qahtani, one of the suspected 20th hijacker
20th hijacker
20th hijacker is a numeric metaphor concerning a possible additional terrorist in the September 11, 2001, attacks who was not able to participate....
s, who was subjected to 58 days of sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation is the condition of not having enough sleep; it can be either chronic or acute. A chronic sleep-restricted state can cause fatigue, daytime sleepiness, clumsiness and weight loss or weight gain. It adversely affects the brain and cognitive function. Few studies have compared the...
.
Gelles was interviewed for the film Torturing Democracy
Torturing Democracy
Torturing Democracy is a 2008 documentary film produced by Washington Media Associates and narrated by Peter Coyote. The film details the use of "enhanced interrogation techniques," including waterboarding, by the Bush administration in the "War on Terror". The documentary includes interviews from...
.
Selections from the interviews appeared in the film where Gelles described how he and his boss at NCIS, Alberto J. Mora
Alberto J. Mora
Alberto J. Mora is a former General Counsel of the Navy. He led an effort within the Defense Department to oppose the legal theories of John Yoo and to try to end coercive interrogation tactics at Guantanamo Bay, which he argued are unlawful....
, and their colleagues learned of the use of abusive interrogation techniques, and their reactions.
Prior to his service with the NCIS Gelles was an officer in the United States Navy Medical Corps.
In 1991 he was a Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
.
Gelles has faced criticism for his role in the treatment of United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
Chief Petty Officer
Chief Petty Officer
A chief petty officer is a senior non-commissioned officer in many navies and coast guards.-Canada:"Chief Petty Officer" refers to two ranks in the Canadian Navy...
Daniel King
Daniel King (cryptanalyst)
Chief Petty Officer Daniel M. King was a United States Navy cryptanalyst.He is notable for first falling under suspicion of spying on the United States in 1999;...
, in 1999.
Gelles was called in when King had been held without charge, and subjected to 29 days of sleep deprivation, when he told interrogators he was feeling suicidal and requested the help of a mental health professional.
According to King's lawyers their confused and disoriented client's false confession was triggered, in part, due to advice from Gelles that he would feel better once he had confessed.