Waterboarding Law and Legal Definition
Waterboarding is a criminal investigation interrogation technique where bound, gagged prisoner is forced to breathe in water.
The United States Central Intelligence Agency defines waterboarding as a procedure where the individual is bound to an inclined bench. Then a cloth is placed over the forehead and eyes and water is applied to the cloth in a controlled manner. During this process the cloth is lowered until it covers both the nose and mouth and the air flow is slightly restricted and water is continuously applied from a height of twelve to twenty-four inches. After this period, the cloth is lifted, and the individual is allowed to breathe unimpeded for three or four full breaths.
Following is an example of a case law defining "Waterboarding":
Waterboarding is a form of torture whereby the individual is immobilized and water is poured over the face, simulating drowning. [Yousuf v. Samantar, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6227 (D. Va. 2007)]
