NCJ Number
80369
Journal
Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 13 Issue: 4 Dated: (June 1981) Pages: 120-125
Date Published
1981
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This Australian paper reviews theories and misconceptions about hypnosis and discusses its forensic applications. Guidelines are presented for questioning under hypnosis.
Abstract
Contrary to some beliefs, there is no correlation between personality characteristics, intelligence, and sex and hypnotizability, although there is a trend for more intelligent, extroverted, or 'strong-willed' persons to make better subjects. Different methods of induction of hypnosis include the authoritative approach, the passive approach, and self-induction. Legal objections to hypnosis in criminal investigations refer to such questions as the reliability of hypnosis and its potential for misuse. Proponents argue that hypnosis can enhance the memory of a witness, penetrate complete memory loss by either a witness or a defendant, and bolster a witness' evidence. Minimal safeguards for the forensic use of hypnosis include requiring that hypnosis be performed only by a psychiatrist or psychologist with special training in its use, videotaping all sessions in which hypnosis occurs, and allowing only the psychiatrist or psychologist and the person to be hypnotized in the room before and during a hypnotic session. One reference is provided.