While this research used physical pressure to control texture, the same design principles could be used to modify materials using other stimuli — such as through application of an electric charge, or by changing temperature or humidity, Guttag adds.
The Landau commission investigating Israeli interrogation techniques, not only took no action but deemed Israel had the right to "use moderate physical pressure" – torture to the rest of us.
The bill passed by the House would make it clear that waterboarding or any other use of physical pressure against a prisoner being questioned is illegal.
Mr. Hitz, the former C.I.A. inspector general, said the government's legal woes could be traced to what he believed was an unwise decision to use harsh physical pressure during interrogations.
They have gained political cover as more veteran F.B.I. agents and military interrogators have spoken out publicly against the use of physical pressure in interrogations, saying it violates American values and can produce false information.
After the luncheon, Barnes, age 46 and a college coach for 22 years, addressed Chaney's remarks regarding the use of physical pressure on a college student, player or otherwise, to drive home a point.
Few support the use of physical pressure to extract confessions, especially because victims will often say anything (to the point of falsely incriminating themselves) to put an end to pain.
A week before he completed the first major legal opinion that authorized the use of physical pressure, John C. Yoo, the national security specialist in the counsel's office, was faxed a six-page C.I.A. "psychological assessment" of the first man the brutal methods would be used on, Abu Zubaydah.
Two weeks ago, he outraged many Danes when he said he endorsed using "moderate physical pressure" during police interrogations of terrorism suspects.
Starting in 2002, with the approval of President Bush and the Justice Department, the C.I.A. used harsh physical pressure against about 30 Qaeda prisoners, agency officials have said.
