Their purposes vary, but for the most part, they do seem to form traveling parties at night, yes.
As for the second question, while I can't speak for what the process is of brainwashing patients, the purpose seems to be to foster distrust. If your ally attacks you, you might be less inclined to trust them or work with them in the future.
...I can speak to what happens during the CM-US trials, however, and it accounts to highly specific, personalized torture. I'd prefer to keep the personal details off the board if I can.
[ooc: Edgeworth doesn't know who, exactly, he's speaking to.]
As for the second question, while I can't speak for what the process is of brainwashing patients, the purpose seems to be to foster distrust. If your ally attacks you, you might be less inclined to trust them or work with them in the future.
...I can speak to what happens during the CM-US trials, however, and it accounts to highly specific, personalized torture. I'd prefer to keep the personal details off the board if I can.
-- M.E.