BLUEBIRD OPERATION

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00146203
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: January 17, 2025
• Document Release Date: January 15, 1983
• Publication Date: May 23, 1951

'BLUEBIRD OPERATION
PART I
OBJECTIVES AND AGENCIES.
� 1. The ultimate objective of BLUEBIRD opei.ation is to obtain or
protect information of vital significance to the security of the United
States. More cps;-,--r.=-7z, the operation is concerned with interrogation
-where there is need for special methods to induce full disclosure.
2. BLUEBIRD Operation mill be implemented by operational and
Support personnel. This personnel mill, however, not be used to obtain
or protect information when other means are available.
3. The objective of extensive support program is to furnish
the teams in the field mith the best.available techniques and material; at
.the same time to enable them to guard against countermeasures. The support
program consist of both fundamental and applied research studying all
means through which control of an individual may be attained.
4. A specific objective of this research is to develop an adequate
body of scientific information from mhich certain questions in the area of
interrogation and vital to national defense can be answered. They are:
a. Can accurate information be obtained frammilling or
unwilling individuals?
b. Can agency personnel (or persons of interest to this
agency) be conditioned to prevent any unauthorized source or enemy
from obtaining information from them by any known means?
c. Can we obtain control of the future activities (physical
and mental) of any individual, milling or unwilling, by application
. of SI and H techniques.
d. Can we prevent any unauthorized source or enemy from
gaining control of the future activities (physical and mental)
of agency personnel (or persons of interest to the agency) by-any
known means?
The effort in these directions mill be matched by coincidental study
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� 1.
directed toward the development of countermeasures. Fundanental rc,s=arch
pIojects will be included in the prozran but must assist in or yield
evidence relative to the Ultimate development of simple, effective M,,thods
which can pe used under field conditions.
�
5. The activities which will be carried out in order to develop
a sound operation will include:
a. The locating and collating of the information now in
existence but scattered throughout many agencies, libraries,
universities, and research institutions.
b. The laying out of lines of research which will ultimately
result in a current and comprehensive knowledge'of the subject.
The evaluation of this information.
6. The coordinator of the BLUEBIRD Group (at OSI) will be respon�
sible for the coordination of three activities the personnel of which
are currently in CIA.
ya. The Teams � Current planning is for:
(1) Three field teams under IOS; the personnel of uhich
-are to be recruited by that office.
(2) An undetermined number from OSO or OPC as the program
develops. Personnel to be recruited concurrently.
413ta
(3) composition of teams:
a. 1 Medical officer
b. 1 Interrogator
C.
1 Technici-47(familiar mithluse and repair of
.instruments
d. � 1 Linguist �
(4) In addition to the teams there will be established
a group of sufficient size to:
a. Effectively train them.
b. Efficiently execute any special administration.
�2�
v.
b. he U0I Support Staff � This Trill cc is of . (5) to
seven (7) people whose professional background is described as
follows:
1 Literature surveyor
1 Pharmachologist
1 Testing expert
2-4 Physicians experienced in experimental medicine
and neuro1og7.
c. The Panel � A group of experts underafielliftelp-whose advice
Trill be used to insure a long range, high level and effective
character to the research program.
7. The Coordinator Tall maintain liaison mith other
governmental activities at all times so that there is:
a.. No duplication of effort
b. Effective and immediate use of available Information.
8. The purpose of this coordinated program is the most immediate
translation possible of research results into simple, practical methods
of field operation.
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PROGRALT OF OPERATIOI:S
1. Use of Teams
Trained teams will operate wherever a need for their special
capabilities exists. (Their method of administration and immediate
direction will vary with the needs or the situation), (Also see para-
graph 1, Part I).
In the course of all missions being conducted by teams
they will bear in mind that one vital and continuing
requirement is: all possible information bearing on
foreign and enemy activity similar to BLUEBIRD.
2. Training of Teams
Training of team members will include:
a. Polygraph operation
b. Interrogation
c. Hypnosis
d. Headquarters Training (Use of instruments)
e. Advance Training (USA)
f. Operational training (Overseas)
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1.�
441:10"ir-r�
PR3321i1-,.017 surpom
I
(4)
This program will consist of fundamental and applied research together
with laboratory and field evaluation.
I. Personnel
A. The Support Staff (Composition see Part 1)
B. The Panel
C. Laboratories and Libraries, etc.
��
II. Duties of:
A. The Support Staff
(1) Collection and collation of information for the use of
the teens and panel .
(2) Preparation of preliminary evaluations.
(3) Recommendation of lines of research
(4) Observe or assist in laboratory testing as appropriate
3. The Panel
(1) In conjunction with the Coordinators designees will
lay out a long range research program.
(2) Eake frequent recommendations so that the prouam m111
not lose its long range character.
(3) Give qualified opinion as to the validity of information
brought to its attention by the Support Staff or Teams.
!fake specific recommendations as to projects to be ini-
tiated.
(a)
EXact 'nature of the problem to be studied.
(b) In what laborator; should be studied.
(c) Under nhose directio4snoulo
be conducted
(5) Observe or assist in laboratory tests as appropriate.
C. Laboratories and Libraries.
Bone of these facilities arc under the direct control of the
Panel or Support Staff. Through suitable channels, horiever,
their facilities will be used to conduct the program of research
. � 4. ;"t �
"
support which will be developed from the topics below'.
D. Other Azencies
with suitable cover and discretion various agencies can be made
to furnish support for this opnratiOn.
(1) Overt activities , e.g., Collection of relevant literature
(a) Government agencies, libraries, etc.
(b) Open subscription
(2) Covert
(a) Agencies
1. OSO
� 2. OPC
(b) Methods
1. Persuasion
2. Inducing defection
3.. Penetration
6
RESEARCH TOPICS
1. From among the .k,--4-t�L=L-- described below those deserving highest
priority mill be selected and specific relevant research projects will
be framed. These projects will then be contracted for with laboratories
which may be governmental, industrial or institutional. In general,
mhere portions can best be accomplished by a full-time employee of CIA,
the work will be assigned to the Support Staff.
I. Collection, collation, and evaluation of existing knowledge relating
. to BLUEBIRD.
A. Purpose: To develop areas of firm knowledge in spite of
controversial nature of experiments and materiel used in
this field.
B. Includes: Study of physiological or psychological research
of direct or -1/4- - by-products a value to BLUEBIRD.
�
C. Needed For: �
(1) Avoidance of duplication of existing projects
(2) Proper planning of nem-research projects
oNJ
Basic study of measurement, alteration, control of personality.
Certain agencies through which control is achieved are suggested
tiro.
4413.3.eed. This section deals with the basic personality and its poten-
tial for subsequent control.
A. Type of personality:
(1) Amenable, nature of
(2) Unamenable, nature of
(3)
Detection of different types
Alteration of personality
(1) Length of time needed to effect change
(2) Duration of change .
C.
Re iration of original personality
(1) Time needed
(2) Permanent after effects
(a) Harmless
(b) Harmful
D. Extent of control during period
(1) Complexity of actions that can be accomplished
(2) Attitudes, changes in basic attitudes while under control.
E. Measurement of human behavior factors relating to the BLUEBIRD
situation.
(1) Deception.*
(2) Fear
.(3) Fatigue
(h) Hunger
(5) Other factors
F."Detection of pre�conditioning or state of being under control
includes:
(1) Determination of the method used
(2) Determination of the purpose for which the conditioning
had. been effected. .
(3) Possible re�conditioning for a different purpose.
G. Possibilities of multiple conditioning.
�
III. Systems of suggestion unaided by special physiological agents.
A. Duress. While this is the oldest form of asserting control,
there is apparently little scientific information on the
subject.
Planning of projects relating to this topic should wait until firm
liaison with or knowledge of ailiallemes project has been achieved.
B.
(1) Irature and duration of:
(a) physical
(b) Emotional
kypnosis:
(1) Applicability of (Percentage of people of various types
susceptible to)
(2) Duration of control
(3) Conditions under which control may be:
(a) Effected
(b) 'Continued
(4) -Went - Complexity of actions a subject can be made to
� perform.
(5) -Post-hypnotic control
(a) Duration
� 1. Unreinforced
2. Reinforced
a. Methods of reinforcement.
(b) Extent - See D above.
A
(6) Guarantee of amnesia. (This is desired as a subject may
not realize that he has been put under hypnotic influence;
that he has performed certain acts,or that he sill perform
certain acts not of his own volition.
(b) Duratioh:Of 3
(C) Possibility of removing
IV. Physiological agents.
A. Chemical substances.
(1) Drugs
(a) Well known
1. Stdmulants; e.g., caffeine
� 2. Narcotics; e.g., nenbutal
(b) Controversial; e.g., scopolamine
(c) Hear-say; e.g., nAktcdronn.
1.47-1
� 1 )
(2) Other substances
(a) Toxins
(b) Endocrine and other ductless gland products.
B. ,Effects of above
(5)
Speech inducing
Paralysis inducing
Effect on will by other means
Duration of effects
After effects
(a) Malaise
(b) .After-taste, etc.
C. 'PhysidlIogical mechanism Of.abOve.
1D. -Countering agents
(1) Antidotes
� (2) Immunizing agents
7E. 'Pharmacology.;
(1) Use of combinations to eliminate undesirable side-effects
� .(2) Alteration of characteristics to effect snrruptitious
�
delivery
(a) Dasking of taste, odor, etc.
(3) Maintenance of effectiveness under field conditions or
-rahen mixed with common articles, such as food, cigarettes,
candy, beer, etc.
(4) Adaptability to use in special field devices
ti42
F. Physiological agents other than chemical.
(1) Those producing over-all effect on the subject.
(a) Inducing unconsciousness
1. Electro-shock
2. Electro-sleep
(b) Loss of poise
1.�Sonic
2. Untra-sonic
� ,
. V
(c) Devices having effects other than above.
/
V. Devices
A. Measurement and evaluation of personality
si
(1) Mechanical or electrical instruments for measuring personal
reactions. (Includes single symptom de:vices like the
neye-shiftu measurer at NewIofidon or a multiple symptom
deviceslike the Keeler Polygraph).
(a) Further development of known instruments.
(b) Development of new devices for measuring new and valid
indicators of personal reaction. (See II E above).
(2) Psychological tests of an.easily administered type to
be used under field conditions.
B. Determination of background.
(1) Educational level as to possibility of being able to
furnish desired information.
(2) Determination of actual native origin. (It is claimed that
the oscillograph offers a means of determining native origin
as a person can never completely lose certain speech character-
istics).
C. Devices of assistance to field teams in the administration of
physiological agents (deliberate, surruptitious, or suddenly
overwhelming).
(1) Gases, e.g., modification of tear gas.pencil.
(2) Liquid, e.g., Hypo-spray
(3) Investigation of devices of unestablished action, e.g.,
(14)
0
German Scheintot (appearance of death) pistol.
Neu devices.
D. Devices of assistance to field teams in recording information:
(1) Sound
(2) Sight
(3) Improvement or modification of 'moan devices
(a) Resistance to accidental mishandling
(b) Sensitivity "1110,..101
'-)
(c) Special shapes
(d) Special sizes
*40111111=
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It would be impossible and unwise to attempt to outline all lines
of research at the present time. As the program develops no and promising
fields of research will open up. othing in the foregoing, therefore,
should be construed as eliminating from consideratiowanyline of inauiry
which will aid or assist in Special Interrogation.