[en] The angular distribution of the intensity is calculated for primary and secondary gamma-rays emitted after polarized neutron capture in a polarized target. Also the circular polarization is derived for capture of polarized neutrons by unoriented nuclei. Interference between the reaction channels and all possible dipole/quadrupole mixing is taken into account. Some aspects of p-wave and s-p interference are discussed. The results of these calculations are applied to the experiments on aluminium and manganese. In the nuclear orientation experiment with aluminium a 'brute force' polarized target was used. For five levels in ²⁸Al the spin value could be determined uniquely. No evidence for significant M2/E1 mixing is found. A ferromagnetic MnSb sample was used to polarize the manganese nuclei. Unique spin values are assigned to 13 states in ⁵⁶Mn. The magnetic hyperfine field on the Mn nuclei is determined to be negative