NMT01-T276
Volume I · Page 276
Q. Didn't you participate in a second cold experiment? A. Yes, together with Dr. Hirt, whom I had to accompany by order of Himmler, as he had been included in Rascher's experiments with Himmler's approval. Himmler probably had realized in the meantime that Rascher alone would not be sufficient in order to clarify these scientifically very extensive and difficult questions. Hirt could only come to Munich for one day because of his state of health and for that reason asked that everything be prepared beforehand, so that he could gain insight into all the work results which had been obtained so far. I told Rascher to prepare everything according to Hirt's desire. A professional criminal was presented for the purpose of this experiment.
Q. Was that a professional criminal who had already been condemned to death, and how did you know whether it was such a criminal?
A. Before the experiment started Hirt wanted to look at the files because there was a possibility that this experiment would end fatally. The sentence was furnished by the Criminal Police Department of the Camp Administration. We saw that this was a sentence which had been passed by a regular court, and it became evident therefrom that this man had more than 10 years' penitentiary behind him, and had been recently sentenced to death because of murder and theft. Hirt furthermore asked the man whether he knew that this experiment might end fatally, whereupon the man answered that he was well aware of it. He said that he would have to die anyway for he was a confirmed criminal, and he just could not stop his criminal activity; therefore he deserved death.
Q. Did you convince yourself of that by asking the experimental subject whether he was actually a volunteer?
A. After Hirt's questioning I personally asked the man whether he agreed to that experiment, He thereupon said that he was in full agreement, providing it didn't hurt him. This assurance could be given to him because the experiment was carried out under complete anaesthesia. I didn't participate in the entire experiment, but I saw that this man was given an anaesthetic.
Q. You yourself saw the files from the criminal police?
A. Yes, I read through them, together with Hirt.
Q. Well, I guess there can be no doubt that this was a professional criminal sentenced to death by a regular court?
A. This was a very regular sentence. All previous sentences were listed in the files, and I remember in addition to the death sentence he had already had 10 years' penitentiary.
