Report of the Independent Reviewer and Related Materials

The APA Board of Directors engaged attorney David Hoffman of the law firm Sidley Austin in November 2014 to conduct an independent review of whether there was any factual support for the assertion that APA engaged in activity that would constitute collusion with the Bush administration to promote, support or facilitate the use of "enhanced" interrogation techniques by the United States in the war on terror. Following are links to the complete, unedited independent review and supplemental materials, press releases related to the report and documentation of action taken in response to the report by APA's Board of Directors, Council of Representatives and leadership.

Actions by APA Board of Directors, Council of Representatives and Leadership

• Board and Council Actions Related to the Report of the Independent Review Relating to APA Ethics Guidelines, National Security Interrogations and Torture: April 21, 2016
• Letter from APA President Barry S. Anton, PhD, ABPPopens in new window, (PDF, 214KB) in response to an open letter to APA and the psychological communityopens in new window (PDF, 297KB) from members of the American Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) Psychological Network: Oct. 16, 2015
• APA Moving Forward After the Independent Review: Sept. 25, 2015
• Council of Representatives Resolution 23Bopens in new window (PDF, 263KB): Resolution to Amend the 2006 and 2013 Council Resolutions to Clarify the Roles of Psychologists Related to Interrogation and Detainee Welfare in National Security Settings, to Further Implement the 2008 Petition Resolution, and to Safeguard Against Acts of Torture and Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in All Settings: Aug. 7, 2015  | En Españolopens in new window (PDF, 43KB)
• Roll Call Vote on Council of Representatives Resolution 23Bopens in new window (PDF, 87KB): Aug. 7, 2015
• Key Provisions of the APA Policy Banning Psychologist Participation in National Security Interrogations: Aug. 7, 2015
• Recommended Board Actions Related to the Report of the Independent Review Relating to APA Ethics Guidelines, National Security Interrogations and Torture: July 31, 2015 | En Español
• Recommended Board Actions Related to the Report of the Independent Review Relating to APA Ethics Guidelines, National Security Interrogations and Torture: July 29, 2015
• Letter to APA members from APA President-Elect Susan McDaniel, PhD, and APA Past President Nadine J. Kaslow, PhD, ABPP, members of the Special Committee for the Independent Reviewopens in new window (PDF, 89KB): July 24, 2015
• Letter to Psychology Colleagues in the International Communityopens in new window (PDF, 131K): July 21, 2015 | En Españolopens in new window (PDF, 131K)

Press Releases

• APA Alerts Federal Officials to New Policy Banning Psychologists From National Security Interrogations: Oct. 28, 2015
• APA's Council Bans Psychologist Participation in National Security Interrogations: Aug. 7, 2015 | En Español 
• APA Announces Retirements and Resignation of Senior Leaders: July 14, 2015
• Independent Review Cites Collusion Among APA Individuals and Defense Department Officials in Policy on Interrogation Techniques: July 10, 2015 | En Español

Independent Review Report & Supplemental Materials

• Report of the Independent Reviewer, Revised Sept. 4, 2015 (PDF, 2 MB): Sept. 4, 2015
• Errata Sheet of Sept. 4, 2015, Revisions to the Report of the Independent Revieweropens in new window (PDF, 28KB): Sept. 4, 2015
• Report of the Independent Reviewer (PDF, 2.62MB): July 2, 2015
• Index of Exhibits to the APA Independent Review Reportopens in new window (PDF, 171KB)
• Binder 1opens in new window (PDF, 104MB)
• Binder 2opens in new window (PDF, 164MB)
• Binder 3opens in new window (PDF, 93MB)
• Binder 4opens in new window (PDF, 212MB)
• Binder 5opens in new window (PDF, 85MB)
• Binder 6opens in new window (PDF, 70MB)

Responses from those Mentioned in the Independent Report

For those people who have been mentioned or otherwise have personal knowledge about the events discussed in the Independent Report, we have established a forum where you may post a response based on the facts presented or address what you believe are factual errors or provide your own account of the issues pertaining to you. PLEASE NOTE: The "Responses" page is not intended to be an open discussion forum. If you wish to comment on anything posted on that page, please use the public comments section at the bottom of this page.

All Public Comments on the Independent Report

The following comment section is provided to allow for an online conversation regarding the Independent Report and we ask that you provide helpful suggestions.

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