Oe oy . Approved For Release 2003/09/16 : CIA-RDP96-00788R0020002600012 anh 7 OD 1 15 April 1981 MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD SUBJECT: Trip Report 12-14 April 1981, Durham, NC 1. On 13 Apr 81, LTC Watt and CPT Atwater visited the School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC in an attempt to learn more abou t a computerized system of monitoring psychological correlates to PSI performance. An over- view of this system was published in the April 1980 issue of the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research. (See Incl 1) 2, LTC Watt and CPT Atwater were received by Ed Kelly (Experimental Learning Laboratory, Dept of Electrical Engineering, Duke University) and John Palmer (JFK University, Orinda, CA). Dr. Kelly conducted a tour of the research facility including the computer room, instrument room, and controlled envir- onment room as documented in the inclosure. 3, After the tour, Dr. Kelly, Mr. Palmer, LTC Watt and CPT Atwater discussed the present status of the "computer project" at Duke and other topics of specific interest to LTC Watt and CPT Atwater. In general terms, there has been no substantive progress with the "computer project" in the past year since the publication of the attached article. It has taken approximately 5-6 years to develop the present hardware/software package now operational at Duke. Dr. Kelly is now awaiting further funding towards a specific pro- gram involving the indepth exploration of altered states of consciousness and PSI under the premise that altered states of consciousness can be detected/ measured physiologically. Existing capability of Dr. Kelly's “computer project" is limited to the monitoring, recording, (6 channel polygraph) and correlative analysis (by computer) of brainwave frequencies. Additional capabilities such as nonintrusive blood flow measurement, psychogalvonic skin response, myographic measurements, bipolar corporal voltage reversals and other subject generated information have not been overlooked by Dr. Kelly and can be easily adapted into the present operational system. Dr. Kelly's project has the full support of the School of Engineering at Duke. The praject appears to hold valuable prospects and is in a holding pattern awaiting sufficient funding to insure a meaningful robust program insuring © the best results today's science can offer. The following areas of the general discussion are noteworthy: a. The long awaited funding for Dr. Kelly's proposed program is expected (hoped for) from the McDonnell Douglas Foundation. If funding is received the School of Engineering would (it is planned) establish a separate institute on the Duke University campus devoted to the exploration of altered states of consciousness and PSL. Dr. Kelly was of the opinion that Duke would also be open to the idea of government funding. b. When asked about the selection of subjects if he received funding Dr. Kelly said that he would stay away from "superstar" psychics because of their eccentricities and endeavor tao screen subjects through simple PSI testing (zener cards). Mr. Palmer was in general agreement concerning "superstars" but preferred to select subjects on the basis of their ability to achieve altered states of consciousness. As examples he mentioned indiv- iduals who were practiced meditators or individuals who could achieve deep hypnotic states. Both agreed that individuals who related past PSI exper- iences may be good sub jects. Approved For Release 2003/09/16 : CIA-RDP96-00788R002000260001-2
Approved For Release 2003/09/16 : CIA-RDP96-00788R002000260001-2 c. When asked for references on other people that LTC Watt and CPT Atwater might want to talk to as to better understand.the current state-of- the-art in PSI research, the following names were provided: (1) Robert Morris - University of Syracuse (2) Charles Honorton - Princeton (3) Dr. Jahn - Princeton (4) Rex Stanford - St. John's University (5) William Braud - Mind Science Foundation, Texas (6) Helmut Schmidt - Mind Science Foundation, Texas (7) Stanley Krippner (Knowledgeable of Soviet work) d. Im addition to the published "computer project", Dr. Kelly has a portable unit capable of recording brainwave frequencies in the "field" using a telemetry system in conjunction with a conventional cassette recorder. The cassette can then be returned to the laboratory for computer analysis. With this system a subject does not have to go to the Duke lab to take advan- tage of their "computer project". 4. Later in the aftemoon of 13 Apr LTC Watt and CPT Atwater met with Dr. William Roll, Project Director, Psychical Research Foundation, Chapel Hill, NC. Discussion with Dr. Roll centered on the areas of PSI phenomena for which Dr. Roll is best known including OBE's, PK and poltergeist effects. Of particular note was the revelation by Dr. Roll that he had been contacted by the Chief of Police (not further identified) from Atlanta through the FBI concerning the current murder investigations in the Atlanta child killings. Roll stated that the police were initially very enthusiastic and sent him a computer printout of "crime impressions" provided by both professed psy- chics and others. Roll was to conduct analysis of these impressions. As Roll was progressing it became necessary to get some minor funding (travel and computer consultant fees) from Atlanta. As it turned out no one was willing to fund the effort and as the news media picked up the story no one wanted to pursue the effort. At present Dr. Roll is wondering what to do with the data he still has and feels that all are passing up a unique opportunity for practical application/use of PSI data. 5. The trip to NC proved to be very informative and valuable to both LTC Watt and CPT Atwater. Dr. Kelly; Mr. Palmer and Dr. Roll are all serious minded seientists with valuable contributions to be made to the current understand- ing of PSI. Special emphasis should be given to the impression made by Dr. Kelly and his proposed program. Dr. Kelly appears to be a straightfor- ward, highly professional investigator of demonstrated expertise who has proposed a program of research which must be pursued if the nature of PSI is to ever be understood. Continued contact with Dr. Kelly is highly recommended. 6. In conclusion, this trip is further evidence of the serious research being conducted by credible individuals throughout the U.S.3; however, each group has its own special interest(s) and as a result we have a somewhat disjointed effort (across the board) as far as centralized. research into the field of parapsychology. Time and adequate funding levels appear to be two off the leading deterrents in this field. If we are to settle the Approved For Release 2003/09/16 : CIA-RDP96-00788R002000260001-2